Pretoria - The Independent Complaints Directorate and the South Africa Police Services (SAPS) are to launch an investigation into an incident on the N12 highway involving the Presidential Protection Unit's motorcade on 3 January.
The unit, whose job it is to secure the safety of the President while in transit, was involved in an altercation with the driver of a red VW Golf.
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, said SAPS spokesperson Director Sally de Beer on Wednesday.
"Parallel investigations are being conducted within the SAPS and by the Independent Complaints Directorate, to which we are giving our wholehearted cooperation," she said.
Director de Beer further explained that the safety of the President of this country is an onerous responsibility, one which is taken seriously by his protector's and they are obliged to take every reasonable step to protect him and are even expected to sacrifice their own lives while doing so.
The statement was issued to clarify reports regarding the incident.
Initially it was reported that an allegedly drunk and defiant motorist drove close to the convoy and collided with one of the vehicles on the N12 highway. A member of the unit fired a warning shot at the man after he allegedly failed to stop his vehicle after the incident.
However, Director de Beer said that some of the facts about the initial report given to the media when the story first broke were inaccurate.
"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," said Director de Beer.
