DA demands answers on Mashatile's VIP protection unit clearing.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) is challenging what it calls a troubling lack of transparency and accountability within the South African Police Service (SAPS) after Deputy President Paul Mashatile's VIP protection officers' acquittal.
DA MP Ian Cameron confirmed that the party submitted a Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) application to gain access to the SAPS disciplinary records, the decision, and the reasons behind the acquittal.
"The DA does not accept that the SAPS internal investigation into Deputy President Paul Mashatile's VIP protectors assaulting members of the public on a highway in Gauteng can be concluded with their acquittal without compelling reasons and evidence having been considered," said Cameron.
A viral video last year showed uniformed VIP protection officers pulling civilians out of a vehicle and assaulting them along the N1 in Joburg.
The incident triggered public outrage and demands for swift disciplinary and criminal action.
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However, the SAPS internal investigation ended with the officers reportedly cleared of wrongdoing.
"As these reasons and evidence remain behind a wall of secrecy put up by the SAPS internal process, the DA has commenced a process to get answers on how this travesty of justice occurred," Cameron said.
He added that South Africans deserve full transparency on how what he termed ‘blue light bullies' managed to avoid accountability despite widely circulated video footage capturing the violent assault.
"It is deeply concerning that despite a video showing the disgraceful actions of these VIP protection officers, SAPS believes that no sanction is warranted.
"The footage of the assault by these officers leaves no room of doubt in the mind of South Africans, making the outcome of the disciplinary process a reflection of what rogue officers think of the citizens they are meant to protect. No one is above the law," Cameron said.
He also criticised the SAPS internal disciplinary system as being compromised by political interference and inadequate accountability mechanisms.
"This PAIA application is an important step toward addressing the broader rot within the SAPS disciplinary process where violent conduct is excused, political connections remain untouchable and internal accountability is a mere check box exercise."
He further expressed hope that the pending criminal case against the officers will result in consequences that restore public confidence in the rule of law.
"We hope that the outcome of the criminal case against these blue light bullies brings much-needed closure on this matter and reinforces the principle that no one is above the law."
