DA’s Cameron slammed for VIP protection officers’ acquittal comments

VIP protection vehicle blue lights.

1 minute

The South African Policing Union (SAPU) has condemned the comments by the DA’s Ian Cameron, that internal accountability within the SAPS is cosmetic and that officers who are politically connected enjoy untouchable status.

This follows the acquittal of the VIP protection officers attached to the Deputy President Paul Mashatile.

[PODCAST] Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s VIP Protection Unit cleared of charges by SAPS. Earlier on #TheNationalPulse with @AshrafGarda spoke to Ian Cameron.

— SAfmRadio 📻 (@SAfmRadio) May 7, 2025

The officers were caught on video assaulting civilians, yet an internal SAPS disciplinary committee found no wrongdoing.

SAPU Spokesperson Lesiba Thobakgale says the officers followed disciplinary procedures that apply to all SAPS members.

“What we are saying is that he is not a line manager and he should stick to be a portfolio committee chair that must deal with issues that relates to how SAPS can achieve what it needs to achieve as a portfolio committee chair. He must stop being a populist and further to that as he is not a line manager, he should allow the processes to unfold.”