Randburg Court to rule on former Mashatile VIP unit officers’ bid to drop assault charges

The Randburg Magistrates’ Court will deliver its decision on Thursday on a request by eight former members of Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s VIP protection unit to have the charges against them dropped.

The ruling concerns a Section 174 application, which the officers brought 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 (GBH), 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 widely circulated video caused public outrage.

Civil rights group Action Society said the case highlights the abuse of power within law enforcement.

“Action Society remains confident that the application will be dismissed, allowing the trial against the eight accused SAPS officers to proceed,” said spokesperson Juanita du Preez.

During the trial, the state led multiple witnesses and presented video and testimonial evidence linking all the accused to the assault.

“The attempt to discharge the case under Section 174 is nothing more than a last-ditch effort to escape accountability,” Du Preez said. 

“The eight accused should be treated as the criminals they are. They disregarded the law, misused their authority, and brutalised civilians instead of protecting them.”

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has previously opposed the application, arguing that there is sufficient evidence for the case to proceed.

simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za

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