Mashatile protection assault shows 'blue lights' an expensive excuse for thuggery
Daily MaverickJul 04, 2023
A video has surfaced of members of South African Deputy Pres. Paul Mashatile's police security team apparently stomping on a man's head and body last weekend until the individual appeared to lie unconscious on the floor.
The 45-second video was recorded from a nearby car and posted on Twitter. Mashatile's office confirmed on Tuesday that the armed, plain-clothed officers were part of his security team, who were also filmed kicking another man holding his hands over his head.
Although the Police Service has been unusually quick in their reaction to the incident, VIP Protection Units — often known as blue lights — are part of the wider problem within South Africa's police force. While VIP protection is understandable for the President and other elite members of the state, the reality is blue lights have expanded into a militia-like group to cause violence for political reasons. These units need to be investigated and overhauled.
Police can make South Africa safe, especially when used correctly. With public trust in the Police Service low, building and sustaining public relations must now be the police's priority. The Police Service holds immense potential, even though the culture of the system has degraded since the post-apartheid reforms of the mid-1990s.
There is a 50% chance that the ANC will receive more than 50% of the vote in the 2024 South African general election, according to the Metaculus prediction community.