Africa (Commonwealth Union) _ A disturbing video has caused outrage among South Africans, highlighting the issue of police brutality in the country. The footage shows armed plainclothes officers forcefully removing a man from a car and brutally stomping on his head until he became motionless. The officers involved are reportedly part of the security team assigned to protect South Africa’s Deputy President, Paul Mashatile.
Mashatile’s office issued a statement condemning the incident and expressing his disapproval of any unnecessary use of force against unarmed civilians. The video, which lasted 45 seconds, was captured by a bystander in another vehicle and shared on Twitter.
In the video, the officers, some of whom were armed with rifles, can be seen dragging the man across the road and subjecting him to further violence, rendering him unconscious. Another man attempting to protect himself by covering his head is also kicked by the officers. This security unit, known as the “blue light brigade,” has gained a reputation for employing excessive force, particularly during high-speed driving on highways and when encountering drivers who do not immediately yield to their sirens.
After the incident, the officers involved, who are part of a specialized police unit responsible for protecting politicians and VIPs, left the scene in two black SUVs. The video shows at least seven officers, some in suits, taking part in the assault, with three of them seen kicking and stomping on the victims. Two officers are seen wielding rifles, while another carries a pistol.
A third individual can be seen lying by the side of the road in the video, although it is unclear if they were also subjected to physical abuse. A woman is witnessed exiting the car and raising her hands above her head during the incident.
Following public outcry, national police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe released a statement, indicating that the officers involved have been identified and will face internal disciplinary procedures. Mathe also shared the video on her Twitter account, emphasizing that such behaviour cannot be tolerated, as police officers are meant to uphold and protect the fundamental rights of every person.
The cause of the incident leading to the altercation remains unclear, as the car had already been pulled over prior to the start of the recorded video. South Africa has a history of police brutality, with notable incidents including the 2012 killing of 34 miners by police during a wage strike and a more recent case in 2020 where a man was fatally beaten by soldiers while police stood by and watched.
The independent body responsible for handling police misconduct investigated 3,407 cases of unlawful assault by officers in the 2021-2022 financial year, averaging nearly 10 cases per day. Additionally, reports indicate an annual tally of over 5,500 complaints regarding police brutality.
