Pretoria - An alleged incident of police brutality at a Hillbrow nightclub will be thoroughly investigated, said Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa.
Reacting to media reports on the incident, Mthethwa said the video footage would be carefully studied and evidence obtained from eye witnesses and alleged victims to get to the bottom of the matter.
An investigation would reveal if police were called to the club to restore order; were investigating a crime, or if they abused innocent civilians, the minister added.
Media have reported on the incident during which members of police's Tactical Response Unit allegedly beat up and abused revellers at CJ's bar last month.
According to reports, CCTV footage shows the police officers in question stomping on patrons at CJ's bar, kicking and slapping people, and pouring alcohol on them.
The police officers were allegedly armed with R5 assault rifles.
Mthethwa stressed that no police officer was above the law and that all police officers were expected to fight crime within the boundaries of the Constitution. Those who were not prepared to do so have no place in the SAPS, he added.
"Our stance as the police leadership is comprehensible: we have never shielded corrupt police officers, instead have been leading a campaign to weed out tsotsi-cops. Any such atrocious acts cannot be left unattended," he said.
However, the minister cautioned due processes needed to be finalized, adding that the media in particular, who were calling for those involved in the incident to be punished, should not jump the gun.
"We will not be pressured into responding by anyone. We shall never dismiss any member via 'media courts' and not afford them fair platforms to state their sides of the story," he said.
