Eight VIP Protection officers, who are part of Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s security team, appeared in court on Monday.
They were caught on video allegedly assaulting the occupants of a blue VW Polo on the N1 Highway near Fourways.
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This led to an investigation by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), which resulted in their arrest on Sunday.
One of the accused, Shadrack Kojoana, testified in court and claimed that the incident occurred because the victims’ car was driving too close to the main car, where they believed the deputy president was present.
Kojoana said they tried to protect the deputy president by pushing the Polo away, but it slowed down instead.
He stated that the deputy president had already left the scene, and they reported the incident to their commander when they reached his Midrand home 40 minutes later.
Kojoana explained that the video footage, captured by a civilian, didn’t show what happened before the altercation, and they believed it was their duty to “contain” the situation.
While admitting to forcing one of the male occupants out of the car and asking him to lie down, Kojoana denied any assault.
He mentioned that he only saw the video four days after the incident, and it had a traumatic effect on him.
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The state announced that it would oppose bail for Kojoana and his co-accused: Johannes Mampuru, Joseph Mofokeng, Harmans Ramokhonami, Phineas Boshielo, Churchill Mkhize, Aggrie Rambau, and Moses Tshidada.
The group will remain in police custody until their case is further heard on Wednesday, as the court postponed the proceedings.
Full Story Source: “It Was Our Duty To Contain The Situation”