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The suspects are facing 12 charges, including pointing a firearm.
Eight VIP Protection Unit members appear at the Randburg Magistrate’s Court on 9 November. Picture: Twitter / @tndaba
The eight South African Police Service (Saps) members of Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s VIP presidential protection unit have reportedly been acquitted by the police.
Shadrack Molekatlane Kojoana, Johannes Matome Mampuru, Posmo Joseph Mofokeng, Harmans Madumetja Ramokhonami, Phineas Molefo Boshielo, Churchill Mpakamaseni Mkhize, Lesiba Aggrie Ramabu and Moses Fhatuwani are currently out on R10 000 bail each.
The suspects are facing 12 charges, including pointing a firearm; reckless and negligent driving; malicious damage to property; assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm (Assault GBH); obstruction of justice; and assault by way of threat.
In a post on X, DA MP and chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Ian Cameron, said the police cleared the officers of the charges against them.
“Do you remember these thugs that, embarrassingly, are part of the presidential protection services in the SA Police Service?
“The Saps has officially acquitted all eight VIP protection unit officers who were filmed assaulting civilians on the N1 in 2023. This is the final insult to victims — and a warning to the public: police brutality will be protected behind closed doors,” Cameron said on X.
National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe told The Citizen: “The National Commissioner will study the chairperson’s report and consult legal services.”
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The case involving the eight members of Mashatile’s VIP presidential protection resumed in the Randburg Magistrates Court in February.
The last victim, who was the only woman in the vehicle when they were allegedly assaulted, told the court that she feared for her life when the accused pointed R5 rifles at them.
“I did not see the convoy. In fact, the only time I noticed these cars was when they were ordering us to stop with guns pointed at us.”
She further said there was no hesitation on their end, as they stopped immediately.
“I do not know what the presidential convoy looks like. But the accused did not ask questions; when they appeared to us, the guns were already out.”
The case has been postponed to June 10 for other witnesses to testify.
The eight were part of Mashatile‘s security when they were caught on camera assaulting civilians on the N1 highway near Olivedale in Johannesburg in July 2023.
The widely circulated video on social media showed the VIP police officers – brandishing rifles and pistols – jumping out of a BMW X5 and attacking the occupants of a VW Polo.
The eight men returned to work in October last year after the finalisation of the disciplinary process against the officers.
“In line with the Saps disciplinary regulations, suspension is for 60 days; thereafter, the suspension is automatically lifted if the internal process is still underway,” Mathe said at the time.
Mathe pointed out that the VIP protection members were confined to the office and were not operational.
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