Worldwide Outrage After South Africa's Vice President's Detail Drags White Man Out Of Car And Stomps Him Unconscious

CAPE TOWN, South Africa -- A group of armed plainclothes officers assigned to protect South Africa's deputy president was caught on video dragging a man out of a car and then stomping on his head until he lies motionless, sparking outrage and drawing more attention to the country's problems with police brutality.

The officers are part of the police security team protecting South Africa Deputy President Paul Mashatile, his office confirmed on Tuesday. There are no indications that Mashatile was present during the incident. His spokesperson didn't immediately respond to phone calls seeking further comment.

The video of the weekend incident shows the officers, some of them holding rifles, dragging the man across the road on a major highway in Johannesburg and then kicking him and stomping on his head and body. The man appears to be kicked unconscious and lies motionless on his back after the attack. The officers are also seen kicking another man, who holds his hands over his head to protect himself.

The police protection unit is known in South Africa as the “blue light brigade” and has a reputation for using unnecessary force. The unit's officers are often criticized for driving fast down highways and reacting with force if other drivers don’t immediately recognize the small blue lights and sirens in their vehicles and move out of the way.