Judgment in Paul Mashatile’s VIP protection unit case postponed after Magistrate falls ill
The long-awaited ruling in the high-profile case against eight former members of Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s VIP protection unit, charged after a viral assault video shocked the country, has been delayed to November due to the magistrate’s illness.
Image: File
The much-anticipated judgment in the case of eight former members of Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s VIP protection unit has been postponed to next month after the presiding magistrate fell ill.
The ruling concerns a Section 174 application, which the officers filed on grounds of insufficient evidence. The application was argued in September.
The officers are Shadrack Kojoana, Johannes Mampuru, Pomso Mofokeng, Harmans Ramokgonami, Phineas Boshielo, Churchill Mkhize, Lesibana Rambau, and Moses Tshidada.
They face charges including assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, reckless and negligent driving, and malicious damage to property.
The charges stem from a 2023 incident in which members of Mashatile’s protection unit were filmed assaulting trainee soldiers on the N1 highway in Johannesburg.
The video went viral and sparked widespread public outrage.
Civil rights group Action Society confirmed the postponement of the case.
“The highly anticipated judgment in the #BlueLightMafia case’s Section 174 application has been postponed to November 6, 2025, after proceedings in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court this morning were halted due to the presiding magistrate’s illness,” the group said in a statement.
Members of Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s former VIP protection unit appeared in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court on Thursday morning. Judgment in their Section 174 application has been postponed to November, after the presiding magistrate fell ill.
Image: Screengrab
Action Society expressed disappointment over the delay but said it remains confident the court will ultimately dismiss the defense’s application.
“The accused are clearly trying every possible tactic to evade accountability,” said Action Society spokesperson Juanita du Preez.
“The evidence against them is overwhelming. The video footage and witness testimony speak for themselves. These men must face the consequences of their actions in a court of law.”
Du Preez said the state has argued that a prima facie case has been established, with multiple witnesses and video evidence corroborating the involvement of all eight accused officers through the doctrine of common purpose.
“The public deserves closure on this case,” she added.
“Each postponement is a reminder of how often victims of police brutality must wait for justice while those responsible remain in uniform. We urge the court to proceed without further delay once the magistrate returns.”
simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za
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