Highway assault victims are SANDF members

JOHANNESBURG - It's emerged the three people assaulted by Deputy President Paul Mashatile's protectors are members of the defence force.

That's according to the South African National Defence Union.

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The union says police watchdog IPID has interviewed the victims and encouraged them not to engage with police while the probe is underway.

The VIP protection officers were caught on camera assaulting the civilians on the N1 in Johannesburg.

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But the deputy president was not there.

The union says it's ready to assist the victims should they wish to press criminal charges.

It's deplored police brutality while urging that IPID be given time to conclude its investigation.