Police VIP Cops Captured Attacking Motorist In Viral Video
Search For Victims Is Underway
A video of VIP protection police attacking a motorist and passengers on the N1 highway near Woodmead, north of Johannesburg, has gone viral on social media.
More than six members of the VIP protection team are seen attacking a group of seemingly helpless individuals in a VW polo on the highway. One of the assaulted males was found lying on the side of the road.
According to TimesLIVE, the Volkswagen in which the victims were riding belonged to a 31-year-old lady from Ladysmith.
⚠️⚠️Not for sensitive viewers⚠️⚠️
VIP UNIT?
APPARENTLY ON N1 NEAR FOURWAYS pic.twitter.com/WQEPzxsPaE— 🔞SA911 (@JustdoitZee) July 3, 2023
Police spokeswoman Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the process of tracing the victims who were allegedly abused by SA Police Service officers was underway.
“After being made aware of the incident captured on a video clip that is doing the rounds on various media platforms, the SAPS management has begun tracing the victims to obtain statements from them, while an internal departmental investigation is underway,” she said.
She said a preliminary report indicated that the BMW vehicles the gun-wielding VIP officers seen in the video were driving belong to the police and the men seen in the video are members of the police.
Mathe said while the internal investigation into the conduct of the members is underway, the SAPS distances itself from the conduct and behaviour depicted in the video.
She said the conduct does not align with the values and code of conduct of the police, which outlines the values and principles that all SAPS members are expected to uphold, including integrity, professionalism, accountability, and respect for human rights.
National police commissioner Gen Fannie Masemola condemned the behaviour of the members.
“Members of the SAPS are meant to uphold and protect the fundamental rights of every person and exercise the powers conferred upon them in a responsible and controlled manner. Such action cannot be condoned regardless of the circumstance,” said Masemola.
The victims are encouraged to contact brigadier Mathe on 082 0408 808 for investigation purposes.
