The suspension comes after the officers were caught on camera assaulting civilians on the N1. In the video appeared eight heavily armed officers dragging one driver out of a blue VW Polo assaulting him. Two other passengers were also assaulted in the attack.
Mashatile was not in the car when the attack took place.
A victim of the assault by the Deputy President’s VIP security team is planning to sue SAPS as well as the Police Minister.
The victims who are said to be military trainees, while the driver is a member of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), are to be represented by an undisclosed Law firm on pro bono basis. Lawyer Daniel Eloff is handling the case of one of the victims.
According to Independent Police Directorate (Ipid) Spokesperson Robbie Raburabu, confirmed that a case of assault has been opened at Sandton Police Station. The officers are facing charges of intent to cause grievous bodily harm, pointing of a firearm and malicious damage to property. No arrest has been made yet.