Incident involving Presidential Protection Unit
On Saturday, 3 January 2009, an incident occurred on the N12 highway involving the Presidential Protection Unit's motorcade transporting the President and a red Golf civilian motor vehicle.
Members of the news media were alerted to the incident and immediately began making enquiries. In the spirit of transparency a media liaison officer attached to this office began gathering information which was given from the scene, up the chain of command in the Division Protection and Security Services to the media liaison officer.
Subsequently, on perusal of affidavits and a factual report, it would appear that, although the gist of the account was accurate, certain of the details given out within the first hours following the incident were not factually correct. This office would like to assure the media and the community that this was not deliberate and every endeavour will be made to ensure that there is never a recurrence.
The entire matter is being investigated, both with a view to instituting criminal charges against the driver of the red Golf and to verify whether the police officials involved acted within their mandate as custodians of the safety of the President of this country and within the ambits of the law. Parallel investigations are being conducted within the SAPS and by the Independent Complaints Directorate, to which we are giving our wholehearted co-operation.
The safety of the President of this country is an onerous responsibility, one which is taken very seriously by his protectors and they are obliged to take every reasonable step to protect him and are even expected to sacrifice their own lives while doing so.
An earnest appeal is made to the public to give way to police vehicles with blue lights flashing. Responses to urgent situations are often retarded by vehicles refusing to give way to an emergency vehicle.
It is requested that all interested parties keep an open mind on this matter, do not make assumptions or compare this incident with other specific incidents - the circumstances of which differ substantially - and let justice take its course.
Statement issued by Sally de Beer, Office of the National Commissioner, South African Police Service, January 7 2008
