TimesLIVE reports that police on Monday confirmed the suspension of eight officers who were involved in the notorious N1 assault on motorists. They had been part of Deputy President Paul Mashatile's VIP protection unit.

Police spokesperson Brig Athlenda Mathe said in a two-sentence statement: “All eight police officers that were involved in the N1 assault case have been suspended in terms of the SAPS disciplinary regulations as of Monday July 10. The SAPS wishes not to discuss the matter further.” It was not immediately clear what had led to the police's latest move regarding the suspension. Last week, police announced the group had been removed from their VIP protection duties, with Mathe saying they were not suspended but designated office-bound work for the duration of an investigation. The officers are accused of attacking people travelling in a private vehicle the weekend before last. It was later established that the four occupants of the vehicle were SA Defence Force members. According to well-placed sources, the officers' version that the men they assaulted had interfered with their work was not accepted by police management. Mashatile was not with the eight-man team at the time of the assault.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Phathu Luvhengo at TimesLIVE
• See too, Eight VIP cops in Mashatile convoy suspended over highway assault, at News24

Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page