Action Society is ready to serve court papers to Police Minister Bheki Cele and national police commissioner General Fannie Masemola demanding R1.15-million in damages.
The civil rights organisation’s lawsuit is as a result of an alleged assault on civilians, who were later identified as military officers, by eight VIP protection unit members attached to Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s security detail.
The alleged assault on the N1 highway in Johannesburg in July, which caused an uproar across the country, went viral on social media after a motorist filmed it as it was unfolding.
The accused VIP protection unit members later handed themselves over to the police in Sandton.
On Wednesday, Action Society said it has appointed a legal team to assist one of the victims who was seriously injured in the attack.
This after the alleged attackers appeared in the Randburg magistrate’s court on the same day and the case was postponed to November 9 for further investigation.
They remain out on R10 000 bail each.
According to the prosecution team, two cellphone records are still outstanding, as well as statements.
Ian Cameron, director of community safety at Action Society, said the court is expected to drag the case while the victim continues to nurse his injuries.
“The amount that will be claimed in civil court consists of past hospital and medical expenses of R50 000, future hospital, medical and related costs of R100 000, and general damages of R1-million for pain, suffering, inconvenience, disability, loss of amenities of life, physical scarring, disfigurement, emotional disturbance, shock and psychological trauma, which amount is claimed as a globular claim, it not being practical to allocate separate amounts to each of these factors respectively,” said Cameron.
According to an annual police report released recently, the SA Police Service was slapped with 13 000 civil claims in 2021/2022 and had to pay out over R470-million for about 5 000 civil claims during the period.
“With Bheki Cele trying to get more control over the Independent Police Investigative Directorate, civil claims against police [officers] are expected to rise,” Cameron said.
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