Judgment expected in case involving Mashatile's former bodyguards

Judgment is expected in the Randburg Magistrate's Court on Thursday in the case involving Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s bodyguards. 

The eight VIP protectors have applied to have their assault charges withdrawn.

They were arrested two years ago after a video surfaced showing them assaulting two men on the N1 highway in Johannesburg.

Paul Mashatile’s former bodyguards have submitted a section 174 application, asking the court to dismiss the charges on the grounds that the State has insufficient evidence against them.

The group has pleaded not guilty to charges including assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, reckless and negligent driving, and assault by way of threat.

This is despite a widely circulated video showing them brandishing gun and allegedly using excessive force against two men during peak traffic.

They have asked the court to disregard the footage as evidence and will on Thursday learn whether their charges will be withdrawn.

Earlier this year, the South African Police Service cleared them in an internal disciplinary hearing.

Their bid to have the court charges dropped will be the subject of proceedings at the Randburg Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.