The IFP is outraged at the recent display of brutality and violence by a group of armed plainclothes SAPS officers assigned to protect South Africa’s Deputy President, which was captured on video and widely circulated.
South Africans have a constitutional right to safety, and it is utterly unacceptable that the very people mandated to provide protection are the ones inflicting harm. No set of circumstances justify brutality or violence of any kind. However, the acts of the Deputy President’s protection detail indicate that they appear to regard themselves as above the highest law that governs our country.
As a party, we strongly condemn the actions of these officers. We further wish to convey our deepest sympathies to the victims of this brutal attack, as well as their families.
The ‘blue light brigade’s’ reputation for using unnecessary force and violence has been widely documented. We therefore trust that justice will prevail, rather than this incident merely being ascribed a case number and forgotten.
The IFP will continue to monitor this situation and calls on the Independent Police Investigative Directorate to speed up the process of getting justice for the victims and holding these officers accountable.
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Contact
Hon. Zandile Majozi MP
IFP National Parliamentary Caucus Member for Police
073 052 9556
