TimesLIVE reports that eight VIP protection officers linked to an assault incident on the N1 appeared briefly in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday morning.
They were arrested and processed at the Sandton police station on Sunday. The matter kicked off with an application from various media houses to record proceedings, to which the state raised no objection. The defence objected to the media’s application, citing security concern as the men are attached to the protection service of Deputy President Paul Mashatile. “They may reveal things of national interest,” one of the legal representatives for the accused said. Magistrate Hlengiwe Mkhabisi said while she understood the concern raised by the defence, it was in the public interest to allow media coverage of the case. Mkhabisi ruled the officers could keep their face masks on during proceedings and barred the media from filming her. The state indicated it was ready to proceed with the bail application and revealed the raft of charges against the eight: An investigation was opened after a video depicting a vicious attack went viral on social media. It showed officers assaulting three unarmed men who were in a vehicle en route from Johannesburg to Pretoria.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Khanyisile Ngcobo at BusinessLive
- Read too, VIP officers charged with assault GBH, pointing of firearm, and obstruction of justice, at News24
- En ook, Borgtogaansoeke vir bloulig-aanranding begin, by Maroela Media
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page