By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Eight VIP Protection officers attached to Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s security detail made their first court appearance at the Randburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
The men handed themselves over at the Sandton Police Station on Sunday afternoon, after spending less than 24 hours behind bars before appearing in court for the bail hearing.
Earlier this month, the group were captured on video assaulting the occupants of a blue VW Polo on the side N1 Highway, near Fourways, which prompted the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) investigation that led to their arrest on Sunday.
One of the accused, Shadrack Kojoana took to the stand where he told the court the incident occurred after the victims’ car was driving too close to the ‘main car’ at a high speed – implying Mashatile was in the vicinity.
“As it was approaching the main car. The motor vehicle that I was in is supposed to protect number two of the country. Then we shielded the Polo getting to the main car and tried to push it away back to the third lane. But, instead of going it [the Polo] started slowing down.”
Kojoana testified that the deputy president had left the scene, and when they arrived at his Midrand home 40 minutes later, they reported the incident to their commander.
He said the video footage, captured by a civilian, did not show the events leading up to the altercation, adding that it was their duty as police officers they had to ‘contain’ the situation.
The accused admitted to forcing one of the male occupants out of the car and ordering him to ‘lie down’, before restraining him with his foot. But he denies there was an assault.
Kojoana said he only got to see the video four days after the incident, and that it had “traumatised” him.
The state said 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.
Meanwhile Mashatile will on Tuesday officiate the launch of the South Africa National Human Development (SANHDR) 2022 report, which has a strong focus on youth employment.
Mashatile is attending the launch at the invitation of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in South Africa and the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC).
The Deputy President’s attendance is in line with his delegated task as the chairperson of the Human Resource Development Council (HRDC).
The theme of the report is ‘Harnessing the Employability of South Africa’s Youth’.
“The report examines youth unemployment from a human development perspective, with an emphasis on the impact on their earning potential, business growth, social cohesion, and public resources, ” the Deputy President’s office said.
The report further acknowledges that youth unemployment is a critical development challenge in South Africa and addressing it simultaneously targets poverty and income inequality.