The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) welcomes the acquittal of the eight members of the Presidential Protection Unit, who have endured undue public vilification while subject to the legal process. This judgment reaffirms our belief in the principle of due process, which must be upheld regardless of public opinion or media pressure.
POPCRU has issued a strong rebuke of recent remarks by Ian Cameron, Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, after he publicly referred to a group of acquitted police officers as “THUGS.”
We strongly condemn the reckless and inflammatory remarks made by Ian Cameron, which falsely accuse POPCRU of blocking legal proceedings and of defending police brutality. These are not only baseless and defamatory but represent a deliberate attempt to delegitimise the role of organised labour in defending the rights of its members.
POPCRU has never, and will never, condone any form of police abuse. We consistently advocate for accountability, constitutional policing, and community safety rooted in human rights. However, we equally reject trial by media, political opportunism, and the scapegoating of officers before facts are established.
POPCRU President Thulani Ngwenya states that Cameron’s comments represent a gross misuse of his parliamentary oversight role and undermine the justice system.
“Cameron’s behaviour is reckless and unethical, especially as these officers have been cleared wrongdoing through due process. Who is he to undermine proper labour processes, or question the findings of the courts? His statements are deeply disturbing, and we will not stand quietly by and allow his behaviour to go unchecked.”
We are deeply concerned that Mr. Cameron’s remarks, made in his capacity as Chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Police, reflect not oversight, but political bias and a dangerous posture of incitement. His comments have the potential to agitate communities against police officers, placing lives at risk and undermining the rule of law.
We therefore call on the Parliamentary Ethics Committee to investigate these remarks and take appropriate disciplinary action. Further, we urge Parliament to consider removing Mr. Cameron from the chairpersonship of the Police Portfolio Committee, as he has demonstrated a clear inability to execute his duties with impartiality and integrity.
In response, the union is calling for an immediate investigation by Parliament’s Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interest into Cameron’s conduct, alongside his removal from the committee chairmanship, to preserve the integrity of oversight structures.
A flagrant misuse of a constitutional oversight role
In a statement this week, Cameron lashed out at the South African Police Service’s (SAPS) internal disciplinary process, disparaging the outcome that saw eight VIP Protection Unit members acquitted of assault charges. Using social media and public platforms, he labelled the officers “thugs” and denounced their acquittal as a failure of justice.
POPCRU has expressed alarm over such language from the head of Parliament’s police oversight committee, terming the remarks irresponsible, inappropriate, and unbecoming. The organisation warns that this language unfairly casts judgement on officers who have been found not guilty.
As Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Cameron occupies a position created by the Constitution to hold the police accountable within the bounds of law and fairness. POPCRU argues that by resorting to insults and incendiary language, he has misused this constitutional mandate.
A suspicious silence on police killings
Adding to POPCRU’s criticism is what it calls Cameron’s “selective outrage”. The union and its members have been grappling with a relentless wave of violence against police officers, with numerous officers ambushed, wounded, or killed in recent months.
“This year alone, dozens of SAPS members have lost their lives in the line of duty, leaving behind grieving families and traumatised colleagues. Yet the Democratic Alliance and Cameron have been notably silent when it comes to condemning the killings of police officers or urging support for those on the front lines.
“Where was Cameron when, just last week, two SAPS members were shot to death in in the Western Cape? Meanwhile, he chooses to condemn VIP officers – who, it bears repeating, have been absolved of the accusations against them by lawful processes. His actions speak volumes about his priorities and undermines his self-styled image as a champion of accountability.”
Ngwenya further stresses that the fallout from Cameron’s one-sided interventions is felt keenly on the ground, emphasising that frontline officers not only feel vulnerable to violent criminals, but now also feel attacked from above by political leaders. “Such unfounded attacks from national leaders devalue their sacrifice and add immense stress and fear to an already demanding job.”
Given the gravity of the situation, POPCRU has formally called for Parliament’s Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interest to investigate Cameron for conduct highly inappropriate for a committee chair. The union argues his actions violate the ethical standards for members of parliament and undermine Parliament’s oversight mandate. POPCRU is also demanding Cameron’s immediate removal as chair of the Portfolio Committee on Police, insisting his bias disqualifies him from performing his duties objectively and effectively.
Issued by POPCRU
For more information, contact Richard Mamabolo the National Spokesperson on 066 135 4349.