By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The media has been barred from reporting on the proceedings in a case involving the VIP guards of Deputy President Paul Mashatile, the case resumed on Monday after a five-month postponement.
The eight men appeared in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday for the start of the trial after the case was postponed last November.
The accused, 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, who are each out on R10 000 bail, stand charged with 11 offences.
These include assault, malicious damage to property, attempting to defeat or obstruct the administration of justice, and pointing a firearm.
The charges stem from a video-recorded incident showing the accused assaulting four motorists on the N1 in Gauteng.
The originator of the video remains unknown, prompting the defence to challenge its authenticity.
Defence lawyer, Advocate Grayne Sekhasimbe, said while the video was deemed admissible for bail purposes, it shouldn’t be considered relevant evidence for the trial.
Sekhasimbe expressed doubt in the state’s ability to authenticate the video, suggesting a procedural approach for dealing with this issue.
State prosecutor Elize Le Roux, however, was confident in her ability to authenticate the footage through forensic analysis and witness testimony.
The trial has already seen its first witness take the stand, with the media being instructed by Magistrate Abule Khan not to reveal their identity for safety reasons.
Khan also prohibited live streaming of the proceedings, reporting on witnesses before the trial’s conclusion, and disclosing witness names without explicit consent.
The case is set to continue on Tuesday, 7 May.