Cele: Mashatile didn’t witness N1 assault – but was in convoy

Police Minister Bheki Cele says Deputy President Paul Mashatile was in fact part of the convoy when members of his VIP security team assaulted three men on the N1 highway in Johannesburg.

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Cele appeared before Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Wednesday, 16 August 2023, where he faced questions from MPs about matters pertaining to the South African Police Service (SAPS), including the infamous assault.

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CELE SAYS MASHATILE WAS HOME DURING ASSAULT

But, the police minister has told the committee that Mashatile did not witness the incident as he was already home when it occurred.

Cele says two vehicles from the eight VIP members pulled away from the main convoy to deal with the incident.

“The convoy of the deputy president normally has seven cars. There will be six from SAPS and one from SANDF and usually that is a medical car.The deputy president was in the convoy, but was not on the crime scene where two of his cars pulled off to deal with that matter. (When I spoke) to him, he (said) realised at home that there were two cars that peeled off. (He) did not know until he was told later that that incident has happened”Police Minister Bheki Cele

Cele admitted that the N1 highway assault by VIP officers doesn’t reflect very well on SAPS, saying in part: “The negative impact, narrative by the actions of SAPS members attached to work with the deputy president has indeed put us on a back foot.”

The VIP protection officers face several charges, including assault, pointing of a firearm, attempting to defeat the ends of justice and negligent driving.

The accused were subsequently suspended by the South African Police Service (SAPS) and will also be subjected to internal disciplinary proceedings. They are, however, still receiving their full salaries.

IS THERE A CULTURE OF IMPUNITY IN SAPS?

Bheki Cele also defended SAPS, saying most members

were law-abiding citizens who are committed to their jobs. He added that some of their more dedicated members were losing their lives, including in the line of duty.

“Members of the South African Police Service (SAPS), many of them are doing a good job. That is why those doing serious work are gunned down, including the Hawks … unfortunately the number of police that have been killed on and off duty this quarter has increased,” he said.