Action Society looking ahead to justice being served in assault case involving Mashatile's former bodyguards

Civil rights group, Action Society, says there must be justice in the assault case involving former bodyguards of Deputy President Paul Mashatile.

On Thursday, the eight men who are attached to the SAPS VIP presidential protection unit appeared before the Randburg Magistrates Court, where they failed to get their charges dropped.

The officers are accused of assaulting civilians on the side of the Johannesburg N1 highway in July 2023.

The Randburg Magistrates Court dismissed the main charges in the section 174 discharge application of the eight accused officers.

They all will continue to face charges for assault GBH and causing malicious damage to property.

They were all found not guilty of defeating the ends of justice, while only a select few will be charged with the violation of the Firearms Control Act and negligent driving.

Spokesperson for Action Society, Juanita du Preez: "We are very satisfied with the ruling today, even though some of the minor charges were dropped. We are satisfied that the main charges we are concerned about are continuing and that in March, finally, we will approach justice to be served."

The trial resumes on 23 March next year.

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