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Magistrate Orders Trial to Proceed for Mashatile VIP Officers on Assault, Damage Counts

The court limited certain counts to specific accused, with testimony set for March 23–27, 2026.

Overview

  • Magistrate Abdul Khan dismissed the defence’s Section 174 application, finding sufficient evidence to proceed on assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and malicious damage to property.
  • Only accused 5, 6, 7 and 8 will face the charge of pointing a firearm, while accused 2 and 7 will face reckless driving charges as the drivers of two BMWs.
  • All eight accused were acquitted on defeating the ends of justice, and the court found no evidence that every officer pointed a firearm or that the driver pointed one.
  • The matter was postponed to March 23–27, 2026 in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court for witness testimony.
  • The case stems from a July 2023 N1 highway incident captured on video; the accused pleaded not guilty and remain on R10,000 bail, as Action Society criticized SAPS disciplinary handling of the evidence.