Action Society has sent an urgent PAIA application to the South African Police (SAPS) today, demanding clarity on who is footing the bill for the #BlueLightMafia eight’s legal fees after the eight pleaded not guilty at the Randburg Regional court yesterday. The eight’s disciplinary process has been dragging on for almost a year and judging by the time the bail hearing took as well as the past two days in court, it is clear that the same delay tactics will be employed in their criminal trial, driving up legal expenses.
“It is unacceptable that hardworking taxpayers of South Africa are being abused to keep violent criminals out of jail. The fact that these men are still being paid their full salaries a year later has made it crystal clear that corrupt police officers in this country are being allowed to operate above the law. The horrendous actions of these officers will only embolden more violence from law enforcement, dished out in the name of justice and safety, with impunity,” said Action Society’s Juanita du Preez.
Action Society demands the following: Firstly we demand to know who is responsible for their legal fees. Unfortunately it is most likely the hardworking taxpayers of this country, which is unacceptable; you cannot expect taxpayers to foot the bill for violent criminals who have sworn an oath to protect and keep them safe. Secondly, we demand that their employment with the SAPS is terminated with immediate effect. We also demand that the National Commissioner of Police, Lt Gen Sehlahle Fannie Masemola, in writing, confirm that the SAPS will not consider any applications from the eight accused for assistance with their legal fees for this case.
“Their defence team has revealed their core strategy already, and that is to delay justice. Their primary tactic today was objecting to the playing of the incriminating video in court, citing they object to the authenticity and admissibility of the video wherein one can clearly see them brazenly assaulting the motorist. However the magistrate was quick to dismiss this and ruled that the video is clear evidence and there is no need to prove its origin,” concluded du Preez.
