Eight VIP Protection unit officers served with suspension notices

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Eight VIP Protection unit officers filmed assaulting civilians in a video widely shared on social media have been served with suspension letters.

This was confirmed by the National Police Commissioner General Fanie Masemola at a media briefing held in Vanderbijlpark on Thursday.

Read more: Eight VIP Protection unit officers served with suspension notices

Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s bodyguards were filmed assaulting civilians in a video widely shared on social media that spark a huge outcry.

General Masemola explained the incident involving members from the protection and security service, otherwise commonly referred to as VIP Protection on Sunday as unfortunate.

“Once we were alerted of the incident, we moved with speed and launched a probe to identify both the victims and our members, as well as to establish the circumstances that surround that incident.

“I can now confirm that those members have been identified and are currently being subjected to our internal processes, in line with our Discipline Regulations of 2016, and Labour Relations prescripts.

“We also identified and successfully traced the victims and can confirm that a criminal case has been opened and is under investigation by the IPID.

“Thus far, eight members have been issued with suspension notices and temporarily removed from their posts pending the outcome of our investigation.

The National Commissioner of SAPS, General Fannie Masemola has announced that all eight members accused of the N1 assault have all been served with notices to suspend them. All 8 have been temporarily withdrawn from their posts pending the outcome of the investigation. pic.twitter.com/A886RfQkdP

— Athlenda Mathe (@AthlendaM) July 6, 2023

Masemola reiterated that the SAPS does not condone such behaviour at any point.

He continued; “We are saying that no amount of provocation can ever justify or validate what we saw on the video clip, pending the outcome of the investigations.

“We generally follow a very stringent process to identify members that should be protecting our principals, so for those members to have conducted themselves in such a manner, is quite concerning.

“That said, we pledge to offer our full cooperation to the IPID investigation, at the same time ensuring that our internal processes are not compromised in any manner.

ALSO READ: Probe underway on assault incident involving SAPS VIP protection unit

“The SAPS has clear instructions on the role of VIP Protectors whose mandate is, to ensure that an integrated protection service is rendered to all individuals identified as VIP’s.

“The protection of VIP’s is provided for in terms of the policy on protection packages. The policy is in accordance with 2014 Cabinet memorandum.

“In executing their duties, close protection officers must at all times portray professionalism, discipline, politeness, enthusiasm, and high ethical conduct, at all times prioritising the safety of their principals.”