VIP cops must put up defence in viral N1 highway assault case after discharge bid fails
A screenshot of the video that went viral on social media of the assault of trainee soldiers on the N1 highway in Johannesburg in 2023. The trial against the eight VIP Protection officers charged in the matter will resume next year.
Image: Screenshot
The eight SAPS VIP Protection Service officers charged in connection with an incident in 2023 in which motorists were violently assaulted on the N1 highway in Johannesburg, will have to put up their defence in their criminal trial.
The widely circulated video of the incident in which trainee soldiers were assaulted by officers assigned to Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s VIP protection unit caused public outrage.
On Thursday, the Randburg Regional Court ruled against the Section 174 application brought by the officers in respect of most of the charges against them. The court only acquitted the accused of the charge of defeating the administration of justice.
Eight members of the SA Police Service: Shadrack Kojoana, Johannes Mampuru, Pomso Mofokeng, Harmans Ramokgonami, Phineas Boshielo, Churchill Mkhize, Lesibana Rambau and Moses Tshidada - were charged with assault, malicious damage to property, pointing of a firearm, contravening the Road Traffic Act, reckless and negligent driving and defeating the ends of justice.
They brought an application in terms of section 174 of the Criminal Procedure Act seeking to have the charges dismissed.
The legal section states that if, at the close of the case for the prosecution at any trial, the court is of the opinion that there is no evidence that the accused committed the offence referred to in the charge or any offence of which s/he may be convicted on the charge, it may return a verdict of not guilty.
Civil rights group, Action Society said the ruling clarified which of the accused will face which specific charges, confirming that prosecution will continue against some, and in certain instances all, of the accused.
It said the matter has been postponed to March 23–27, 2026 for the resumption of the trial.
Action Society spokesperson Juanita du Preez said the organisation was satisfied with the ruling.
“We are satisfied with the ruling. There is a vast contrast between the results of the internal disciplinary hearing, which rejected the main evidence, and what is now unfolding in court. The police’s inability to police itself has been exposed. The disciplinary action against these eight officers should be reinstated following the clarity that has emerged from this judgment. At the very least, these officers should be suspended again, because they are all back on active duty.”