Blue Light Bullies must be held to account
24 July 2023
The DA welcomes the first court appearance of the now infamous Blue Light Bullies, who were caught on camera brutally beating civilians on the side of the road earlier this month. This sends the right message that despite what some may believe, no one is above the law.
Following the brutal attack, and the emergence of the viral video, the DA laid a complaint with IPID leading to the court appearance today.
Today’s court proceedings have reassured the public that with an independent judicial system, the victims of this savage and unwarranted attack have the opportunity to see justice served.
The actions of the accused have sparked a bigger debate however, focusing on the desperate need for accountability amongst public servants. Members of the South African Police Service should not inspire, nor seek to inspire fear in South Africans with unnecessary acts of violence on the streets. Regardless of who they claim to be protecting.
South Africans deserve protection from violent acts like this one, however, how can one expect anyone to trust those who claim to protect us, when members of SAPS are committing violent acts themselves?
If people break the law, irrespective of who they are or for whom they work, they must face the full might of the law. There can be no special treatment asked for or given to anyone, especially those whose job it is to uphold the law.
The DA will continue unabated in ensuring that justice prevails by holding those responsible to account, not just for the victims of this senseless crime, but for South African society as a whole. We should feel safe around police, not fearful of how violent they could become.
One of the main questions that has arisen for the DA, following testimony during the day's proceedings in the Randburg Magistrates Court, is whether or not Deputy President Paul Mashatile, was in fact in the vehicle? And if so, why would his spokesperson lie about it?
Issued by Solly Msimanga, DA Gauteng Provincial Leader, 24 July 2023
