Eight VIP policemen suspended in Mshatel convoy for highway assault

• Eight members of the Police Presidential Protective Services have been suspended from duty.
• They were caught on video allegedly assaulting people on the N1 highway in Gauteng at the beginning of the month.
• Sources say that the police department rejected its version that the attackers interfered with the officers’ work.

Police confirmed that all eight officers from the Police Presidential Protective Services, who were caught on video allegedly assaulting people on Gauteng’s N1 highway, have been suspended.

National Police spokesman Brigadier Atlinda Mathey said the officers were suspended on Monday “under SAPS disciplinary regulations” and said the police would not discuss the matter further.

The officers were part of Vice President Paul Machatel’s escort, and the convoy was said to have been escorting Machatel’s home.

According to informed sources, the officers’ account that the men who assaulted them interfered with their work was not accepted by the police department.

Officers said the driver of the car tried to approach Mshatel’s car.

Also read | Motorists were assaulted by VIP police on the N1 SANDF allegedly prevented them from talking about the attack

The officers were given suspension notices last week.

At the time, Mathi said officers should explain why they were not suspended, which would then be considered, and inform them of the outcome.

Video of the incident shows a man lying on tar as heavily armed assailants kick him. The other can be seen sitting down and using his arms to protect his face from kicks.

The officers then got back into their black BMWs and drove off, leaving the men on the ground. One gets up slowly. The video shows the other holding still.

The Police Independent Investigation Directorate confirmed earlier that it was investigating members of the Peace Protection Service.

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