Motorists assaulted by VIP police allegedly prohibited by SANDF from speaking out Screenshots via Twitter video/@IanCameron23.
UPDATE: SAPS trace victims assaulted by VIP Protection unit
The SAPS says it has identified the victims that were assaulted by its VIP Protection Unit who have also been identified.
Motorists assaulted by VIP police allegedly prohibited by SANDF from speaking out Screenshots via Twitter video/@IanCameron23.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has confirmed that it has traced victims that were assaulted by its VIP Protection unit in a viral video.
The incident happened on the N12 highway in Fourways, Johannesburg.
WATCH: SAPS VIP PROTECTION UNIT ASSAULTS MOTORISTS
Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe they have successfully traced the victims of the incident which has been widely condemned.
Mathe said the process to obtain their statements continues as part of the probe. The police officers involved have also been identified and will be subjected to internal processes.
“Management of the SAPS views this as serious and will get to the bottom of this incident,”she said.
As previously reported by The South African, Mathe said after being made aware of the incident captured on a video clip that is currently doing the rounds on various media platforms, the SAPS management began the process to trace the victims to obtain statements from them while an internal departmental investigation is underway.
Mathe said a preliminary report indicates that the vehicles seen in the video belong to the SAPS and the men seen in the video are members of the police service.
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“While the internal departmental investigation into the conduct of the members is underway, the SAPS distances itself from the conduct and behaviour depicted in the video which do not align with the values and code of conduct of the SAPS, which outlines the values and principles that all members are expected to uphold, including integrity, professionalism, accountability, and respect for human rights,” she explained.
BRUTAL INCIDENT WIDELY CONDEMNED
The incident has been criticised by government officials and anti-crime activists.
DA Shadow Minister of Police Andrew Whitfield said he will do everything in his power to ensure that these Blue Light Bullies are brought to book.
“I have already engaged the Executive Director of IPID and will be demanding that Minister Cele ensure SAPS arrest these thugs within 24 hours,” he tweeted.
City of Cape Town Mayor also weighed in on the brutal incident.
“Even if it takes private prosecution, we cannot stop until every single one of these thugs is brought to book,” he tweeted.
