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Deputy President’s VIP Protection officers return to work after assault incident
The eight VIP protection officers of Deputy President Paul Mashatile, previously suspended after a violent incident on the N1 highway, have returned to their roles.
Eight VIP Protection Unit members appear at the Randburg Magistrate’s Court, 26 July 2023, in Randburg. It is reported that the suspects are facing charges of pointing a firearm, assault and malicious damage to property in connection with the N1 highway altercation on 2 July. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen
The South African Police Service (Saps) has confirmed that the eight VIP Protection members of Deputy President Paul Mashatile have returned to work.
The police officers were arrested after they were seen in a widely shared social media video jumping out of a BMW X5 and attacking the occupants of a VW Polo on the side of the N1 highway in July.
The suspended VIP protection members are all currently out on R10 000 bail each.
After the viral incident, the police initiated a disciplinary process against the officers, which has been finalised, as confirmed by police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe on Monday.
Back at work
Mathe confirmed with The Citizen that Shadrack Molekatlane Kojana, Johannes Matome Mampuru, Pomso Joseph Mofokeng, Harmans Madumetja Ramokhonami, Phineas Molefo Boshielo, Churchill Mpakameseni Mkhize, Lesibana Aggrie Rambau, and Moses Fhatuwani Tshidada are back at work.
“In line with the SAPS disciplinary regulations, suspension is for 60 days; thereafter, the suspension is automatically lifted if the internal process is still underway,” she said.
“The members are not operational and are office-based.”
The police officers are facing several charges, including traffic infringement, several charges of assault, malicious damage to property, and the pointing of a firearm.
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Mathe added that the Divisional Commissioner for Protection Security Services has appointed functionaries to proceed with the disciplinary process.
Meanwhile, over the weekend, national police commissioner, Fannie Masemola told EWN the disciplinary processes were still ongoing.
“I will find out and hear where they are, but what I am saying is once the 60 days is over, normally they come back to work and get allocated somewhere, but the process doesn’t stop; the disciplinary process still continues until its finality.”
“Specifically, I don’t know whether they are back or not,” Masemola said.
Additional reporting by Faizel Patel
