A police disciplinary inquiry has found the eight Deputy President Paul Mashatile guards not guilty of assaulting a man on the N1 highway.
The men are members of the SAPS VIP Protection Unit and had been charged internally within the South African Police Service (SAPS).
On Wednesday, the chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Ian Cameron, said the ruling is shameful, indefensible, and immoral.
The SAPS decided that it would not take any disciplinary action against the group.
Cameron said the acquittal is not only a miscarriage of justice.
“It also tarnishes the name and image of SAPS. Moreover, it reinforces the public perception that SAPS officers are above the law. This decision lacks both legal and moral justification and must be reconsidered,” Cameron said.
According to Cameron, this decision was taken at a time when public trust in SAPS is already low.
“Such decisions will only deepen the trust deficit between the police and the communities they are meant to serve. The ruling also reinforces the committee’s long-held view that internal disciplinary mechanisms within SAPS are inadequate and serve to shield rogue officers.”
He described the case as akin to “a thief being caught with the stolen goods”, given the clear video evidence showing the perpetrators kicking a defenceless civilian while wielding high-calibre firearms.
“This decision sends the wrong message to all South Africans—that there is no recourse when SAPS members abuse their authority. It portrays a police service that protects its own rather than standing with the victims of abuse,” Cameron added.
He criticised the role of labour unions in delaying the case.
“This was not due process; it was weaponised bureaucracy, funded by taxpayers. What is even more infuriating is that SAPS spent over R112 000 just on the chairperson’s expenses for the disciplinary hearing. This should be classified as fruitless and wasteful expenditure,” claimed Cameron.
He said he will write to the Minister of Police and the national police commissioner to demand that the minister explain this outcome to the nation, both in Parliament and to the victims. “We cannot accept a SAPS that protects thugs in uniform. We will not sit silently while the rule of law is trampled behind closed doors.”
However, the men still face criminal charges of reckless driving, pointing a gun, damage to property, and perverting the course of justice.
They are all free on R10 000 bail each and have all entered not guilty pleas.
Their case will commence before a Randburg magistrate next month.
