We were protecting SA’s second most important citizen, says accused police officer in highway assault case

Eight Presidential Protection Service officers attached to Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s security unit appeared in the Randburg Magistrates’ Court on Monday for a bail application after handing themselves over to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) on Sunday afternoon.

They face 12 charges that include malicious damage to property, assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm, pointing a firearm, reckless or negligent driving and an attempt to defeat or obstruct the administration of justice.Some of the eight Presidential Protection Service officers were charged at the Sandton Police Station on Sunday with assaulting four people on the N1 in Johannesburg. They appeared in court on Monday. (Photo: Leon Sadiki)[/caption]

They were caught on camera allegedly punching and kicking four military trainees who appeared to have been dragged out of a Polo Vivo while travelling on the N1 highway in Johannesburg.

The eight accused are Shadrack Molekatlane Kojana, Johannes Matome Mampuru, Posmo Joseph Mofokeng, Harmans Madumetja Ramokhonami, Phineas Molefo Boshielo, Churchill Mpakamaseni Mkhize, Lesiba Aggrie Ramabu and Moses Fhatuwani Tshidada.

During the court appearance, magistrate Hlengiwe Mkhabisi expressed concern that the complainants had not clearly identified the roles of the accused, indicating that an identification parade had not been conducted.

However, State advocate Elize le Roux told the court that the State relied heavily on statements taken from the complainants and the officers, which were made soon after the incident had occurred, as well as the contents of the video, which placed the accused at the scene.

Le Roux added that supplementary affidavits may be taken from the complainants. Meanwhile, further investigations are set to identify what role each of the accused played.

The court heard that three of the accused were captured on video in the act of assault, while one member of Mashatile’s team remained in the car. It remains unclear what role the four other accused played as they were seen on video standing on the left side of the Polo Vivo driven by the victims. 

Seven of the accused are SAPS warrant officers and one is a sergeant. All are employed by the SAPS in the Presidential Protection Service unit and have been suspended on full pay.

While the video was said to have been captured on Sunday, 2 July at about 4pm, it only made headlines on the following evening. The incident ignited rage across South Africa, leading to calls to rein in VIP blue light convoys.

The four victims gave statements to Ipid, but the court heard that they feared for their safety. One of the victims, the owner of the Polo Vivo, is in the process of changing the car’s registration number for fear of being identified. The court also heard that the reported extent of damage to the Polo Vivo caused by the police officers amounts to R95,000.