On Tuesday morning, all eight members of Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s VIP protection detail were released on R10,000 bail each in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court.
Magistrate Hleziphi Mkhasibe noted in his ruling on the eight’s bail application that the State had failed to prove that it was the eight police officers who sent a threatening message to one of the witnesses — the person who recorded the video.
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“The (bail) applicants are ordered not to contact the State’s witnesses in any manner whatsoever or use other people to contact them,” Mkhasibe warned the police officers.
She stated that the eight had strong family and economic links in South Africa and had turned in their passports.
The magistrate also stated that the accused cops are unfamiliar with the complainants in the case – the people they allegedly assaulted last month.
The case has been postponed for September 27 for further investigation.
Last Monday, the police officers’ lawyers attempted to persuade the court to release them on bail because they work in the police force and do not pose a flight risk.
On the first of July, eight police officers assigned to Mashatile’s security detail were caught reportedly attacking people on Johannesburg’s N1 freeway.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) last week opposed the eight’s bail application.
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“We perceived the threats that were sent to one of our witnesses, and thus we are opposing their release on bail for all eight accused persons, citing that the lives of the state’s witnesses in this matter are at risk if they are released,” NPA Gauteng spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said at the time.
Shadrack Kojoana, Johannes Mampuru, Pomso Mofokeng, Harmans Ramokhonami, Phineas Boshielo, Churchill Mkhize, Lesibana Rambau, and Moses Tshidada are the eight police officers.
