Mashatile's former bodyguards plead not guilty in N1 assault case

JOHANNESBURG - The former bodyguards of Deputy President Paul Mashatile have officially entered into a not guilty plea in their assault case. 

Last July, the eight SAPS VIP presidential protection unit members were allegedly filmed beating up off-duty soldiers on the side of the N1 highway in Johannesburg. 

They are charged with a combined 11 counts, which include pointing of a firearm, reckless and negligent driving among others. 

After a six-month break for the State to finalise its investigations, the trial began in earnest on Monday. 

However, before the first State witness could be called, Magistrate Abdul Khan placed stringent conditions on how the media should report on the case. 

Khan said the media could not identify any State witnesses or report on their testimony until after the trial. 

The magistrate also prevented television broadcasters from live streaming the court proceedings and ordered that their cameras remain unmanned throughout the proceedings. 

The first State witness gave testimony on Monday, however, Eyewitness News can only report on their testimony after the trial.