The union has called for the parliamentary committee to investigate and take appropriate disciplinary action against the chairperson of the Police Portfolio Committee.

The union further urges parliament to consider removing Cameron from the chairpersonship of the Police Portfolio Committee, as he has demonstrated a clear inability to execute his duties with impartiality and integrity.

Cameron publicly referred to the group of acquitted police officers as “thugs” on the social media platform X.

If I get slammed for calling these thugs, ‘thugs’, then I am on the right track. What would you call them? POPCRU, read the room. ?? https://t.co/k797hKsVBt pic.twitter.com/dP0P9EsExt

— Ian Cameron (@IanCameron23) May 9, 2025

“Cameron’s behaviour is reckless and unethical, especially as these officers have been cleared of any wrongdoing through due process,” said Popcru spokesperson Richard Mamabolo.

“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.”

Popcru also called upon the committee to distance itself from these utterances, to reaffirm its commitment to respectful, lawful oversight, “and to recognise the harm caused when individual actors attempt to delegitimise entire categories of public servants without due process.”

The union welcomed the acquittal of the eight members of the Presidential Protection Unit, and it rejected trial by media, political opportunism, and the scapegoating of officers before facts are established.

“The union has expressed alarm over such language from the head of parliament's police oversight committee, terming the remarks as irresponsible, inappropriate, and unbecoming,” said Mamabolo.

JUST IN: We have heard through @Netwerk24 that all 8 #BlueLightMafia cops have been ordered to report to Sandton SAPS station tomorrow. They will likely be processed and charged for Assault GBH. We understand that they will then likely appear in court on Monday. pic.twitter.com/H8fM6cdNin

— Ian Cameron (@IanCameron23) July 22, 2023

“The organisation warns that this language unfairly casts judgment on officers who have been found not guilty.”

The fallout from Cameron's one-sided interventions is felt keenly on the ground, emphasising that the frontline officers not only feel vulnerable to violent criminals, but also feel attacked from above by political leaders, he said.

OFM News/Zenande Mpame cg