The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) on Friday urged Parliament to consider removing Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Police chairperson Ian Cameron, saying he demonstrated a “clear inability to execute his duties with impartiality and integrity”.

This after Cameron publicly referred to the acquittal of eight members of the Presidential Protection Unit as “thugs”.

Cameron said on Wednesday he was outraged by the acquittal of Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s eight South African Police Service (Saps) VIP Protection Unit officers, after an internal Saps disciplinary process.

The officers were filmed assaulting civilians on the N1 highway in 2023.

Cameron claimed the acquittal of the officers was the “direct result of a failed internal Saps disciplinary system, obstructive union interference, and complicit police leadership”.

He further claimed “broader rot” within the Saps disciplinary processes.

“The footage of the assault left no room for doubt, and yet, Saps management signed off on a decision that makes a mockery of justice and public trust. It is increasingly clear that bodyguards assigned to the Deputy President operate as a law unto themselves—emboldened by institutional protection and unchecked by consequence. The acquittal reinforces the perception that these VIP units function with their own rules, shielded from the standards that apply to the rest of society. We cannot allow Saps to become a sanctuary for thugs in uniform,” Cameron had said.

Popcru president Thulani Ngwenya strongly condemned what he said were “reckless and inflammatory” remarks by Cameron. He further said Cameron had falsely accused 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,” he stated.

Ngwenya believes Cameron’s comments are a gross misuse of his parliamentary oversight role, saying it undermines the justice system.

“Cameron’s behaviour is reckless and unethical, especially as these officers have been cleared from 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,” Ngwenya said.

Popcru called on the Parliamentary Ethics Committee to investigate Cameron’s remarks and take disciplinary action, while also calling for an immediate investigation by Parliament’s Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interest into Cameron’s conduct.

The union expressed concerns with Cameron’s remarks, saying it reflected 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,” Ngwenya said.