DA submits PAIA to ‘Expose’ Reasons for Disciplinary Acquittal

(The Post News)– The Democratic Alliance (DA) has submitted a Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) application to obtain the record, decision and reason for the recent acquittal of Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s VIP protectors.

The party rejected the judgment of the South African Police Services (SAPS) internal investigation into VIP protectors that were charged for assaulting a motorist at the side of the highway in July 2023.

Ian Cameron, National Assembly Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, said they have commenced a process to get answers on how this “travesty of justice” occurred. Cameron claimed that South Africans deserve to know how the “blue light bullies” were not held accountable.

Cameron criticised the judgment, saying he is concerned that despite a video that circulated on social media showing what transpired, SAPS believes that no sanction is warranted. He said that when it comes to the law, all South Africans are equal.

Furthermore, according to Cameron, the video footage of the assault by Mashatile’s VIP security leaves no room for dispute in the minds of South Africans. As a result, the disciplinary procedure’s outcome reflects the rogue police officers’ perceptions of the people they are meant to protect.

DA claimed that their PAIA application is an important step towards the fight against what they described as a “rot within the SAPS disciplinary process”, citing that political connections remain untouchable, which hinders accountability.

Cameroon vowed to ensure accountability within government structures through the reinforcement of the principle that no one is above the law.