Blue light assault case involving Paul Mashatile’s bodyguards back in court
The eight bodyguards face charges including assault intending to cause grievous bodily harm after they were filmed assaulting off-duty soldiers on the side of N1 highway.
FILE: The eight South African Police Service (SAPS) VIP Protection Unit members make a brief appearance at the Randburg Magistrates Court on 9 November 2023. Picture: Thabiso Goba/Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s bodyguards are expected back in court on Monday for pretrial proceedings.
The blue light assault has been on break for over six months to allow the State enough time to finalise its investigations.
The former VIP Presidential Protection Unit officers were filmed last July allegedly assaulting off-duty soldiers on the side of the N1 Highway.
The eight men are charged with a combined 11 counts, which include four for the pointing of a firearm, two counts for reckless and negligent driving, one for malicious damage to property, three for assault, and one for attempting to defeat the ends of justice.
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When the matter last appeared in November, the State had several outstanding issues to finalise.
The first and arguably the most important was securing as State witness the person who filmed the alleged attack.
The victims in this case also had to participate in an identity parade and point out the men responsible.
Despite the incident being caught on video, all accused intend to plead not guilty in the Randburg Magistrates Court.
Last October, police confirmed all the men were back at work after their 60-day suspension period lapsed.