By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) has called on Parliament to consider removing Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Police chairperson Ian Cameron, saying he demonstrated a “clear inability to execute his duties with impartiality and integrity”.
This comes after Cameron publicly referred to the acquittal of Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s eight members of the Presidential Protection Unit as “thugs”.
The officers were filmed assaulting civilians on the N1 highway in 2023.
Cameron said on Wednesday, he was outraged by the acquittal of eight South African Police Service (Saps) VIP Protection Unit officers, after an internal Saps disciplinary process.
He said that not disciplining the eight for an assault on civilians on the N1 highway in July 2023 was “not only a miscarriage of justice but also puts the name and image of the Saps into disrepute”.
He claimed the acquittal of the officers was the “direct result of a failed internal Saps disciplinary system, obstructive union interference, and complicit police leadership”.
He further claimed “broader rot” within the Saps disciplinary processes.
Popcru president Thulani Ngwenya hit back, saying Cameron’s comments represents a gross misuse of his parliamentary oversight role and undermines the justice system.
“The union is deeply concerned that his politically biased statements endanger both the integrity of parliamentary oversight and the safety of police officers who already face immense pressure in their line of duty.”
Ngwenya said the union will approach Parliament’s joint committee on ethics and members’ interests to urgently investigate Ian Cameron’s conduct and pushed for his removal.
Ngwenya also denied claims it had blocked legal proceedings and defended police brutality.
“These are not only baseless and defamatory but represent a deliberate attempt to delegitimise the role of organised labour in defending the rights of its members.”
Ngwenya said Popcru had never and would never condone any form of police abuse.
“We consistently advocate for accountability, constitutional policing, and community safety rooted in human rights.
“However, we equally reject trial by media, political opportunism and the scapegoating of officers before facts are established.
“Cameron’s behaviour is reckless and unethical, especially as these officers have been cleared of wrong wrongdoing through due process.