Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s eight bodyguards will appear in Randburg Magistrate’s Court today to face charges regarding the assault on the N1 highway towards Fourways, which was caught on video and went viral earlier in the month.

Independent Police Investigative Directorate spokesperson Robbie Raburabu confirmed to Randburg Sun that this is their first appearance and they will face charges related to assault, malicious damage to property and the pointing of a firearm.

In the viral video, a group of police officials can be seen coming out of two black BMW X5s and thereafter dragging a man, assumed to be the driver, out of his blue Volkswagen Polo before they started beating him until he lost consciousness.

Victims of N1 police assault traced successfully.

In the clip, a group of officers are seen alighting from two black BMW X5s before they drag a man, presumed to be the driver of a blue VW Polo, before assaulting him.https://t.co/sbqSHp6zCI pic.twitter.com/B4qM7jCRQy

— Pretoria Rekord (@RekordNewspaper) July 4, 2023

Earlier in the month, national police commissioner General Fannie Masemola said the deputy president asked the public to provide the police with time to conduct its investigation.

“The deputy president has full confidence in the police under the leadership of Minister Bheki Cele and the command of General Masemola to do the right thing in this regard,” Masemola said.

“Members of the SAPS are meant to uphold and protect the fundamental rights of every person and exercise the powers conferred upon them in a responsible and controlled manner.”

Ward councillors up in arms

Local ward councillors also spoke out against the incident.

Ward 115 councillor Mark van der Merwe said: “I believe that the Blue Light VIP Services need to remember that they have no more rights than the average citizen. If a regular citizen of South Africa behaved in the same way that these thugs behaved, then we as citizens would be behind bars fighting for bail.”

Ward 132 councillor Annette Deppe added: “I think they should be arrested and the vice-president should be held accountable as he is ultimately responsible for his staff. His apology means nothing; he drives out of his estate in Waterfall where he lives every week and his blue light brigade drives down Waterfall Drive and right into Allandale on the wrong side of the road, into oncoming traffic onto the highway.”

Ward 94 councillor Vino Reddy explained: “There have been numerous complaints by residents about the gratuitous use of force [allegedly by the VIP protection unit] to push residents off the road resulting in near accidents.”

UPDATE: The matter regarding the 8 VIP protection unit members who are meant to be appearing in court today have not yet appeared. Other court matters have been called. Not sure what time the matter will be heard. #eNCA

— Heidi Giokos (@HeidiGiokos) July 24, 2023