SAPS given 10 days to explain why disciplinary process against VIP officers who assaulted civilians on N1 not concluded
A year ago, the SAPS assured Parliament its disciplinary process against the so-called blue light bullies would continue independently of the criminal case the eight men are facing.
FILE: Members of the South African Police Service's VIP protection unit appear in court for the assault of civilians in Jonannesburg. Picture: EWN
CAPE TOWN - Parliament's police committee is giving the police ten more days to explain why it’s still not concluded its disciplinary process against VIP police officers who assaulted civilians on the N1 highway in Johannesburg over a year ago.
Committee chairperson, Ian Cameron, said that failing to do so, he would insist that the police explain the delays in Parliament.
In July 2023, eight officers of Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s blue light convoy were captured on video accosting and assaulting civilians they forced off the road for allegedly not obeying orders to move out of the convoy’s way.
A year ago, the SAPS assured Parliament its disciplinary process against the so-called blue light bullies would continue independently of the criminal case the eight men are facing.
Cameron said it’s unclear why the SAPS is ignoring its own 2016 disciplinary regulations in this regard.
"We can’t expect to fix things if we’ve got these rotten apples in the structures. There are too many good people trying so hard with so little support often to do the right thing and then these types of people just get away with it. It just simply cannot be."
It is understood the affected officers have been since been shifted to desk duty.
"These members need to be sacked. There’s absolutely no reason to keep them in the South African Police Service. They are now a risk for the public. They are also a risk for the already damaged reputation of the SA Police Service."
Cameron said that he would also be demanding to know the outcome of disciplinary action taken against police officers on duty at Parliament on the night the National Assembly was burnt down.