A group of KwaZulu-Natal SAPS members are in trouble after being caught on CCTV assaulting a man during an operation in uThongati. SAPS commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has ordered a swift investigation into the incident and labeled it as 'irresponsible and unprofessional'.

KZN spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said the video footage shows an officer assaulting a man with an open hand. "A little later on, several other police officers ganged up on the same victim and attacked him. The incident appeared to be an unprovoked act," Netshiunda said. He added that one officer could be seen in the video kicking the man who was already down and standing on top of him.

Netshiunda said the provincial commissioner is displeased with the incident and was demanding a detailed report on why they attacked the man. "The Commissioner has ordered for corrective steps to be taken against those officers who will be found to have acted against the SAPS Code of Conduct and the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa," he said. General Mkhwanazi said that during the execution of their duties, police officers must be mindful of the Code of Conduct and must strive to uphold the law at all times.

"Mkhwanazi said police officers took an oath to protect and serve and as such they must never abuse the powers vested upon them. Communities must be and feel safe in the presence of police officers and not be fearful of the very same officers who are supposed to be their source of refuge," he said. According to Netshiunda, the police can only retaliate with a proportional, minimum force if they find themselves under any form of attack. "The Provincial Commissioner added that if the report points out certain wrong doings by police officers, the officers concerned will face the wrath of internal corrective measures. No one is above the law and that includes police officers."