News24 | Case against Mashatile’s former bodyguards continues as striking-off bid fails

Members of the VIP Presidential Protection during a previous appearance in the Randburg Magistrate's Court.

• Eight VIP Presidential Protection Unit officers were caught on camera beating SANDF trainees.
• Their attempt to have the case struck from the roll of the Randburg Magistrate’s Court failed on Thursday.
• The trial is set down for March 2026.
  

Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s bodyguards have failed in their bid to have their assault case struck from the roll of the Randburg Magistrate’s Court.

The court ruled on Thursday that the eight accused – Shadrack Kojoana, Johannes Mampuru, Pomso Mofokeng, Harmans Ramokgonami, Phineas Boshielo, Churchill Mkhize, Lesibana Rambau, and Moses Tshidada – would continue to face charges of malicious damage to property and assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm for allegedly assaulting SA National Defence Force (SANDF) trainees.

Boshielo, Mkhize and Tshidada also face charges of pointing firearms, and Mampuru and Rambau face additional charges of reckless driving.

“At least every one of the eight will face the consequences. We see it as a win – and we’re hoping that at the end of March [the matter] will come to a conclusion,” Action Society spokesperson activist Juanita du Preez told News24.

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The VIP Presidential Protection Unit officers were filmed beating off-duty trainee soldiers while brandishing rifles and pistols on the N1 highway in July 2023.

The footage went viral on social media, and the men were suspended.

Their appearance on Thursday came after the defence team brought a discharge application in terms of Section 174 of the Criminal Procedure Act, last month.

This section provides 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 he may be convicted on the charge, it may return a verdict of not guilty”.

READ | Video counts for nothing in disciplinary case against Mashatile’s guards

Prosecutor Elize le Roux asked Magistrate Abdul Khan if there was a reason the officers were covering their faces.

She said their facemasks in court made her uncomfortable.

But defence advocate Mswazi Makhubele said he didn’t see anything wrong with the face masks.

He said there were times when one or more of the men was ill because they travelled, “but if it was a question of identity,” or that the State thinks they may have the wrong men on the stand, then they would consider removing them.

Khan said he was “uncomfortable” and asked them to take off their masks.

The trial has been set down for 23 to 27 March next year.