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Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile virtually delivering the Inaugural Gauteng Investment Conference keynote address, March 4, 2025.
Civil rights organization, Action Society has slammed the acquittal of eight police VIP officials charged with assaulting a driver on the N1.
In July 2023, the officials, who happened to belong to Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s security detail, were seen in footage dragging a man and his two passengers out of a vehicle and assaulting them at the side of the busy highway.
These men were attached to the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).
Following several court appearances and a disciplinary hearing, the eight police officials were acquitted.
Furthermore, the National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola says they will study the disciplinary hearings report and consult legal services on the matter.
Action Society says this decision reopens wounds that never had a chance to heal.
“This ruling sends a dangerous message to both the public and the police that brutality will be tolerated and even protected behind closed doors. It makes a mockery of justice, further alienates the public from law enforcement and threatens to sabotage the criminal case that still lies ahead. The victims have suffered deeply, physically, emotionally, financially, psychologically for them to now see the attackers walk free from internal accountability,” says Juanita du Preez, Action Society Spokesperson.
