DA wants review of SAPS disciplinary regulations after 8 VIP protection unit members acquitted of assault charges

CAPE TOWN - The Democratic Alliance (DA) wants a complete review of the police's internal disciplinary regulations after eight VIP protection unit members were acquitted of assault charges.

The party expressed outrage at the police’s acquittal of the eight officers attached to Deputy President Paul Mashatile, who were accused of assaulting civilians on the N1 highway in Johannesburg two years ago.

Party police spokesperson, Ian Cameron, said that their acquittal in an internal disciplinary for the violent assault that was caught on camera, reinforced the perception that VIP units accounted to no one.

"It's a disgraceful outcome, it’s an embarrassment to the SAPS and it's an indictment on the management of the South African Police Service. 
We've requested a full review and overhaul of the police's internal disciplinary regulations. We will obviously zoom in on the relevant legislation too."

The eight members are currently out on R10,000 bail each and their court case continues in the Randburg Magistrates Court.