By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The eight Presidential Protection Services members, caught on camera assaulting motorists on the N1 near Olivedale in Johannesburg in July, are back at work.
National police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe on Monday confirmed the officers were back on duty.
The protectors, formerly attached to Deputy President Paul Mashatile, were suspended from work after a video of the attack, by the group, went viral.
They are currently out on bail following their appearance at the Randburg Magistrate’s Court.
Shadrack Kojoana, Johannes Mampuru, Joseph Mofokeng, Harmans Ramokhonami, Phineas Boshielo, Churchill Mkhize, Aggrie Rambau, and Moses Tshidada, all face 12 counts of various charges, including assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm, malicious damage to property, defeating the ends of justice and intimidation.
Mathe said the suspension lapsed.
“In line with the SAPS disciplinary regulations, the suspension is for 60 days. Thereafter, the suspension is automatically lifted if the internal process is still underway.
“The members are not operational and are office-based.
“The internal departmental investigation has been finalised, and the Divisional Commissioner for Protection Security Services has appointed functionaries to proceed with the disciplinary process,” said Mathe.
National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola said a decision on the appropriate sanction for the members was still outstanding.
“The members would normally return to their place of work. They would get allocated somewhere and I can’t tell you exactly the process where it is, but the investigation is complete. There are processes that are still on, in terms of some disciplinary regulations.”
The officers are expected back in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court in November.
According to a parliamentary question answered by President Cyril Rmaphosa in 2022, taxpayers are funding VIP protection to the tune of nearly R2-billion a year and rising. Ramaphosa told Parliament that this service is offered to:
“28 ministers, 34 deputy ministers, Parliament Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, Parliament Deputy Speaker Lechesa Tsenoli, National Council of Provinces chairperson Amos Masondo and deputy chairperson Sylvia Lucas; as well as nine premiers, nine provincial legislature speakers and their deputies, and 87 MECs.
Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, former chief justice Sandile Ngcobo, Constitutional Court justices, judge presidents and the president of the Supreme Court of Appeal also received comprehensive protection.
Meanwhile Mashatile is expected to participate and speak at a gathering convened by the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders.
According to the Presidency, he will meet with the leaders as Chairperson of the inter-ministerial task team on matters of traditional and Khoi-San leaders, at the Ilanga Estate, Bloemfontein, Free State, on Tuesday, 24 October.
The 2023 Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders Xivijo, will focus on promoting development and social cohesion in traditional communities through cooperation with government and the private sector.
The meeting will emphasise the purpose and objective of building cohesive communities driven by the vision for development, Ubuntu and self-sustainability.