News24 reports that it was said in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday that eight VIP police officers assigned to protect Deputy President Paul Mashatile were using minimum force when they assaulted the driver of a VW Polo on the Joburg N1 freeway.
The officers' lawyer claimed they were trying to keep the driver on the ground while they searched his car. "With regards with the use of legs, they applied minimum force to keep you to the ground as they searched the car," said Mswazi Makhubele as he questioned the driver of the car. This was the third day of cross-examination of the driver, who sustained injuries after Mashatile's convoy stopped him on the N1 freeway in 2023. The officers have since been removed from active field work. The accused face 12 charges, including pointing a firearm, reckless and negligent driving, malicious damage to property, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, obstruction of justice, and assault by threat. A video that trended in July 2023 showed the witness lying on the floor being repeatedly kicked. "Although the accused do not agree that you were hit with a rifle, in the case that you were hit, you were hit by mistake while they tried to break the window," Makhubele stated. Continuing his trend at the last three court appearances, he said that the witness was not knocked unconscious, but was intoxicated. The driver, however, denied this and questioned why he was not arrested if he was under the influence of alcohol. The trial is set to continue.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Aphelele Mbokotho at News24
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page