Lerato Mbhiza
THE state on Wednesday asked for more time to conclude its investigations into the assault case involving eight suspended VIP protection unit members who, while escorting Deputy President Paul Mashatile, were captured on video viciously assaulting a motorist.
The eight suspects – Shadrack Molekatlane Kojoana, Johannes Matome Mampuru, Pomso Joseph Mofokeng, Harmans Madumetja Ramokhonami, Phineas Molefo Boshielo, Churchill Mpakamaseni Mkhize, Lesibana Aggrie Rambau and Moses Fhatuwani Tshidada appeared at the Randburg Magistrates Court.
They face 12 charges, including pointing a firearm, reckless and negligent driving, malicious damage to property, assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm, obstruction of justice, and assault by way of threat.
All the suspects are out on a R10 000 bail each and their appearance has been postponed to 9 November.
Their appearance stems from an incident where the men were video-recorded beating up civilians on the side of the N1 highway in July. The video went viral on social media.
State prosecutor Advocate Elize Le Roux said they needed more time to conclude their investigations and told the judge there were still two cell phone records outstanding. Also, there were still a few statements outstanding.
“I have arranged the identity parade with the new counsel and then there are a few statements we still need to obtain so the investigation is nearing completion,” she said.
When granting bail in August, Magistrate Hlezephi Mkhasibe said the state had failed to convince the court that the interest of justice would be served by keeping them behind bars.
The state had premised its argument, against the release of the accused on bail, on the alleged intimidation of the witness, but conceded that the originator of an alleged threatening text message was yet to be identified.
In their argument, the defence questioned the admissibility of the video as evidence, as well as the absence of any positive identification of any of the officers as the attackers in the footage.
Reading out the bail judgment at the time, Mkhasibe highlighted that the complainants had not identified the accused, the state was yet to contact the motorist who took the video of the incident, and it had also not established the originator of a threatening message.
She said the state acted prematurely by bringing this case to court with key investigations still pending.
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