[imagesource:twitter]

A video has been doing the rounds on social media showing members of the South African Police Service VIP unit attacking three men on the side of a busy Johannesburg highway.

It looked like more than six members of the blue light brigade attacked the men who were travelling in a VW polo on what appears to be the N1 highway. The seemingly helpless men did not retaliate and were left lying on the side of the road.

Some of the officers in question were even seen brandishing guns. The police are now investigating this alleged assault of the three occupants of the private vehicle.

These are apparently VIP protection cops…happened in JHB. pic.twitter.com/fgSNNpyK7s

— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) July 3, 2023

National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the police were tracing the victims to get statements on the matter, confirming, too, based on a preliminary investigation, that the perpetrators were indeed police members and were travelling in vehicles that belonged to the police.

TimesLIVE reportedly found that the victim’s Volkswagen belongs to a 31-year-old from Ladysmith. News24 also traced the vehicle owner, who said the matter was being handled by their lawyers.

National police commissioner General Fannie Masemola condemned the conduct of his members, saying:

“While the internal departmental investigation into the conduct of the members is under way, the SAPS distances itself from the conduct and behaviour depicted in the video. [The behaviour does] not align with the values and code of conduct of the SAPS, which outlines the values and principles that all SAPS members are expected to uphold, including integrity, professionalism, accountability, and respect for human rights.”

Quite a few of us can recall a moment of intimidation by the blue light brigade. Seth says he was once screamed at by a guy on a blue light motorcycle for merely changing lanes into the convoy without realising that the gap was not open yet.

DA MP Andrew Whitfield said he would do everything in his power to ensure “blue light bullies are brought to book”:

“I have already engaged the executive director of Ipid and will be demanding that [police] minister [Bheki] Cele ensures SAPS arrest these thugs within 24 hours.”

Twitter is also reacting with disgust, including strong words Build One SA leader Mmusi Maimane and ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba:

This is thuggery @CyrilRamaphosa, ministers and their blue lights are becoming a menace to the people! https://t.co/lShAQIW9ck

— Mmusi Maimane (@MmusiMaimane) July 3, 2023

What is going on here???

This disgusting behaviour must be held to account.

We live in a country where VIP security gets more money and power than real policing.

No wonder the rule of law has collapsed! https://t.co/7yMmkBoi1f

— Herman Mashaba (@HermanMashaba) July 3, 2023

I agree #BanBlueLights … NO minister or Government official is more important than the lives of South Africans. @CyrilRamaphosa @SAPoliceService @MbalulaFikile @IPID_ZA etc. shouldn’t forget they’re PUBLIC SERVANTS. YOU work for us, WE DO NOT WORK FOR YOU, start respecting us! https://t.co/0IlTJSsObF

— S (@SunflowerSrina) July 3, 2023

South Africans pay R3 Billion a year for this ‘VIP protection’ – the impunity of ANC leaders matched by the thuggery of those who ‘protect’ them. 🇿🇦 https://t.co/ZoA6AaSqO8

— Simon Grindrod (@SimonPGrindrod) July 3, 2023

Per usual, this is not a good look for SAPS.

[sources:news24&timeslive]