Police have initiated an investigation following the emergence of a viral video capturing South African Police Service (SAPS) officers mercilessly assaulting a motorist and two other individuals in Gauteng.
Confirming the authenticity of the video, police officials have identified the two black BMW X5s featured in the footage as the property of the SA Police Service.
Efforts are now underway to locate the three victims of the assault, who were subjected to the brutality of the police officers as depicted in the widely shared video on social media.
In the video, a group of officers exit the black BMW X5s and proceed to forcibly remove a man, presumably the driver of a blue VW Polo, before launching a physical attack on him.
Additional officers, some of whom are armed with assault rifles and firearms, join in the assault on the seemingly unconscious man.
Two other male passengers in the vehicle are also subjected to physical violence before the officers reenter their vehicles and drive away.
While the two passengers manage to stand up, the driver remains motionless on the ground. A woman briefly exits the blue vehicle but quickly retreats back inside.
The incident occurred in the vicinity of the e-Toll Tarentaal on the N1 in Gauteng, although the exact date of the occurrence remains unknown.
A woman who filmed the disturbing incident can be heard in the video attempting to comprehend the situation.
Another person can be heard saying, “You know what they did, they disturbed them. These ones, they can kill you. I don’t wanna lie,” as she addresses the individuals accompanying her in the vehicle.
DA MP Andrew Whitfield, who focuses on policing matters, has pledged to take all necessary actions to ensure that the “blue light bullies” face the consequences of their actions. Whitfield has already reached out to the executive director of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) and will be urging Minister Cele to ensure the swift arrest of the officers involved within 24 hours.
I will do everything in my power to ensure that these Blue Light Bullies are brought to book. I have already engaged the Executive Director of IPID and will be demanding that Minister Cele ensure SAPS arrest these thugs within 24 hours. pic.twitter.com/n1PaOAXcin
— Andrew Whitfield, MP (@andrewhitfield) July 3, 2023
Ian Cameron, representing Action Society, emphasized the importance of publicly naming and shaming the officers responsible for the assault.
Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, the national spokesperson for SAPS, confirmed that the police management has initiated steps to locate the victims and obtain their statements. Furthermore, an internal departmental investigation is already underway.
Read: Uniformed blue light truck hijackers arrested in Kempton Park
Mathe stated that a preliminary report verified that the vehicles seen in the video belong to SAPS and that the armed individuals depicted are indeed SAPS members. She also emphasized that the conduct and behavior exhibited in the video do not align with the values and code of conduct of the SAPS, which emphasizes integrity, professionalism, accountability, and respect for human rights.
Police National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola strongly condemned the actions of these officers, emphasizing that members of SAPS are tasked with upholding and safeguarding the fundamental rights of every individual, exercising their powers responsibly and with restraint. He expressed unequivocal disapproval, asserting that such actions cannot be tolerated under any circumstances.
The victims are encouraged to contact Brigadier Athlenda Mathe at 082 040 8808 for the purpose of the investigation.
