The eight officers who are attached to Deputy President Paul Mashatile's security detail are back at work. The officers who were arrested in July are accused of assaulting a motorist and his passengers on the N1 highway at the beginning of July. Video footage of the accused assaulting the victims went viral on social media drawing massive attention, which led to the arrest and suspension of the accused.

SAPS spokesperson Athlenda Mathe confirmed that their suspensions have now been lifted and they are back at work. "The South African Police Service can confirm that the members are back at work. In line with the SAPS disciplinary regulations, the suspension is for 60 days, thereafter the suspension is automatically lifted if the internal process is still underway," said Mathe.

Mathe said, the accused have not returned to their VIP protection duties and will be working from the desk. "The members are not operational and are office-based. The internal departmental investigation has been finalised and the divisional commissioner for Protection Security Services has appointed functionaries to proceed with the disciplinary process," said Mathe. The officers are all out on R10 000 bail each and have appeared in the Randburg Magistrates Court a couple of times. Their matter was postponed to November 9 for further investigation.