Johannesburg traffic authorities this week suspended the two officers who allegedly stood by and watched as a civilian assaulted Ron Gault, a top American banker, six weeks ago.
Hillow Maeko, Johannesburg's strategic executive for public safety and emergency, said on Friday: "We took the decision to suspend the two officers after Mr Gault submitted to us a written complaint detailing what happened on that Sunday night on October 15 in Norwood.
Prima facie evidence at our disposal tells us that the officers had brought the traffic department into disrepute and that's totally unacceptable."
Gault is the managing director of international investment bank JP Morgan, and husband to Charlayne Hunter-Gault, Africa correspondent for CNN. He suffered a broken nose during the attack after "being head-butted" by Craig Lee Viakovsky, who is due to appear in court on December 4 on charges of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm.
Maeko would not say exactly what charges were being investigated against the officers, who are also under criminal investigation for defeating the ends of justice, a charge laid by Gault.
The internal investigation unit of the traffic police is expected to conclude its investigation within weeks.
"This case is a top priority and we are treating it as such. We'll tolerate no wrongdoing by any of our members," Maeko said.
He said the officers had been suspended with full pay.