Eight VIP protection officers linked to Deputy President Mashatile face a court decision on their bid to dismiss assault charges after a video of the N1 highway attack went viral.
At the Randburg Magistrate’s Court today, a crucial ruling is expected on the bid by eight VIP protection officers, linked to Deputy President Paul Mashatile, to have assault charges dismissed under Section 174 of the Criminal Procedure Act.
The officers are accused of violently assaulting three men on the N1 highway in Gauteng in July 2023. Viral video footage shows the officers forcibly dragging a man from his vehicle and repeatedly kicking him and his two passengers. The victims, who are associated with the South African National Defence Force, suffered both physical injuries and lasting trauma.
The defence argues that the case lacks sufficient evidence and should be struck from the court roll. The state maintains that the video and witness testimony clearly implicate all eight officers. Human rights organisation Action Society described the bid to dismiss as a “last-ditch effort to escape accountability” by officers who abused their position instead of serving the public.
The case has attracted intense public attention, raising broader concerns about accountability and the use of excessive force by law enforcement. The fact that the officers serve in the VIP protection detail for the Deputy President adds heightened scrutiny and debate about privilege and oversight in elite units.
The court’s decision will determine whether the trial proceeds or the case is dismissed. If the dismissal is refused, the officers will face a full trial with witness testimonies and evidence presented. Critics warn that granting the bid could further erode public trust in the justice system when high-profile figures and their protectors are involved.
