By: Natasha Archary

All 8 VIP Protection Unit members who were caught on video assaulting 3 men on the N1 highway have been arrested, weeks after the incident.
The unit, who are part of Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s protection detail, were told to hand themselves over to Sandton police on Sunday, 23 July at 15h00.
This after the VIP Protection Unit members were suspended while investigations by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) were underway.
Point of View with Phemelo Motene spoke to speak to the victim’s lawyer Ulrich Roux for the latest.
Listen to the full conversation here:
The men are expected to appear at the Randburg Magistrates Court on Monday, 24 July where they are expected to face charges of assault, malicious damage to property, and pointing a firearm.
IPID spokesperson, Robbie Raburabu, said the VIP Protection Unit members were not receiving special treatment when questioned as to why the 8 men will only spend a few hours in a holding cell before being taken to court.
“We had to make sure the investigation was complete before we arrest them. We cannot arrest them before the case is ready, or we will embarrass ourselves in court.
The investigation was not easy, we had to locate the victims and take their statements. They were from other provinces, some were still in hospital.
The victims were identified with the help of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), as they were all trainees with SANDF.”
IPID spokesperson Robbie Raburabu
Paul Mashatile condemned the assault of unarmed civilians and claimed to not be present in the blue-light convoy at the time of the incident.
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