Civil rights organisation Action Society has issued an urgent letter to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) requesting feedback on the case of the South African Police Service (SAPS) VIP Protection Unit involved in the #BlueLightMafia incident last year.

In July 2023, eight officers of Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s blue light convoy were captured on video accosting and assaulting civilians they forced off the road for allegedly not obeying orders to move out of the convoy’s way.

Calling for accountability, Action Society raised concerns that despite the seriousness of the charges facing the eight officers involved, “progress on both the internal disciplinary hearing and the criminal court case has been exceptionally slow.” Further, the group said the accused officers’ use of various delay tactics was causing frustration and “eroding public trust in our justice system.”

Juanita du Preez, Action Society spokesperson, said that the accused’s tactics “border on the ridiculous and surreal, and a complete waste of the South African taxpayer’s money.” She further explained “on 7 August they fired their representative only to re-appoint him 20 minutes later. They then promptly informed the chairperson that he must be given more time to familiarise himself with the case as he is now their ‘new representative’.”

Respecting that IPID did not have control over the “protracted nature” of the criminal proceedings, du Preez noted IPID does have control over the internal disciplinary investigation into the SAPS Members actions.

“We therefore urgently request detailed feedback regarding IPID’s investigation into the conduct of the VIP Protection Unit members involved in this case. Specifically, we seek to understand the current status of IPID’s probe, including any findings that have been made and the steps IPID intends to take against these officers,” said du Preez

Action Society again called for the immediate suspension of the eight accused officers. “We wish to remind IPID that their mandate is to investigate police misconduct independently and that it is not necessary to wait for the conclusion of either the internal disciplinary hearing or the criminal court case to take decisive action,” noted du Preez.

Further, she sought to remind those at IPID that the directorate “has an obligation to act against perpetrators, particularly when there is clear evidence of wrongdoing.”

The letter issued by Action Society additionally called for IPID to be decentralised, with the group stating it would “go a long way in combating corruption, incompetence and brutality within the police.”

Action Society has repeatedly advocated for IPID to be granted status as a Chapter 9 Institution, with du Preez saying “without that type of authority, IPID is more of a bouncer than a watchdog.”