A disturbing video capturing a violent assault by South African police officers assigned to Deputy President Paul Mashatile's security detail has ignited public fury and renewed concerns about police brutality in the country. The incident, which occurred over the weekend in Johannesburg, involved plainclothes officers from the notorious "blue light brigade" dragging a man from a vehicle and repeatedly stomping on his head and body, rendering him unconscious.
The video, recorded by a bystander and shared on social media, shows several officers, some armed with rifles, brutally attacking the man and another individual who tried to shield himself. A third person is also seen lying on the roadside, and a woman exits the vehicle with her hands raised. The officers then depart in two black SUVs.
Mashatile's office has condemned the "unnecessary use of force," particularly against unarmed civilians, and stated that he was not present during the incident. While the exact circumstances leading up to the assault remain unclear, the video begins with the car already stopped, suggesting a prior confrontation. The "blue light brigade" has a reputation for aggressive driving tactics and excessive force, often reacting harshly to perceived delays in yielding to their vehicles' sirens and blue lights.
National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed the officers' identification and promised an internal investigation. The victims have also been located and are being interviewed. Mathe, who shared the video on Twitter, emphasized that police officers are obligated to uphold and protect fundamental rights, and such conduct is unacceptable. South Africa's national police commissioner has pledged a comprehensive investigation.
This incident adds to a troubling history of police brutality in South Africa. Notable past cases include the 2012 Marikana massacre, where 34 striking miners were shot dead by police, and a 2020 incident where a man was killed by soldiers while police looked on. The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) investigated over 3,400 cases of unlawful assault by officers in the 2021-2022 fiscal year alone, highlighting the persistent nature of this issue.
Image caption: Outrage erupts in South Africa over a video showing security officers of the deputy president brutally assaulting a man. (Fox News)
