Eight VIP protection officers linked to an assault incident on the N1 faced court proceedings at the Randburg magistrate’s court on Monday morning.
UPDATE: Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s VIP protection unit was granted bail on Tuesday,1 August 2023. Each of the accused was ordered to pay R10 000 for conditional release pending the outcome of the case.
VIP Protection Unit court watch: Here’s everything we know
The officers’ attempts to prevent the media from recording proceedings and showing their faces were unsuccessful, as permission was granted in the public interest.
The official charges they face
The officers are facing a range of charges related to the incident, including:
- four counts of pointing a firearm;
- two counts of malicious damage to property;
- one count of reckless and negligent driving;
- three counts of assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm;
- one count of an attempt to defeat the administration of justice; and
- assault by way of threats.
Media houses made an application to record the proceedings, which the state had no objection to.
The state indicated its readiness to proceed with the bail application, allowing the media to cover the case.
Court allows media to cover VIP Protection Unit case
The defence objected to the media’s application, citing security concerns and the risk of the officers being recognised due to their association with Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s protection service.
However, Magistrate Hlengiwe Mkhabisi ruled in favour of media coverage, stating it was in the public interest for communities to be educated on court processes.
The officers were allowed to keep their face masks on during proceedings, and filming the magistrate was prohibited.
The investigation began after a video of the assault incident went viral on social media.
The footage showed the officers brutally assaulting three unarmed men in a VW Polo while en route from Johannesburg to Pretoria.
One victim, 25-year-old infantryman L’vaughn Fisher, has sought legal representation and intends to sue the police for R1 million. The other two victims are military trainees.
According to the SA National Defence Union, the victims recounted how a black SUV appeared alongside their vehicle, with one occupant allegedly pointing a firearm at them.
More SUVs then boxed in their vehicle and forced them to the left side of the N1 highway.
The occupants of the SUVs reportedly exited their vehicles, surrounded the victims’ vehicle, attempted to smash the windshield, and when unsuccessful, smashed the back window and assaulted the occupants.
