The magistrate's illness delays the verdict in Paul Mashatile's VIP protection unit case
POSTPONED
The long-awaited ruling in the high-profile case against eight former members of Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s VIP protection unit, charged after a viral assault video shocked the country, has been delayed to November due to the magistrate’s illness.
Image: Picture: Itumeleng English/African News Agency (ANA)
Due to the presiding magistrate's illness, the highly anticipated ruling in the case of eight former members of Deputy President Paul Mashatile's VIP protection unit has been delayed until next month.
The officers filed a Section 174 application citing a lack of sufficient evidence, which is the subject of the ruling. In September, the application was debated.
The officers are Shadrack Kojoana, Johannes Mampuru, Pomso Mofokeng, Harmans Ramokgonami, Phineas Boshielo, Churchill Mkhize, Lesibana Rambau, and Moses Tshidada.
They are accused of driving carelessly and recklessly, causing malicious damage to property, and assault with intent to cause serious bodily harm.
Members of Mashatile's protection unit were caught on camera allegedly attacking cadet soldiers on Johannesburg's N1 highway in 2023, which is the basis for the charges.
The video went viral and sparked widespread public outrage.
Civil rights group Action Society confirmed the postponement of the case.
“The highly anticipated judgment in the #BlueLightMafia case’s Section 174 application has been postponed to November 6, 2025, after proceedings in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court this morning were halted due to the presiding magistrate’s illness,” the group said in a statement.
Members of Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s former VIP protection unit appeared in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court on Thursday morning. Judgment in their Section 174 application has been postponed to November, after the presiding magistrate fell ill.
Image: Screengrab
Action Society expressed disappointment over the delay but said it remains confident the court will ultimately dismiss the defense’s application.
“The accused are clearly trying every possible tactic to evade accountability,” said Action Society spokesperson Juanita du Preez.
“The evidence against them is overwhelming. The video footage and witness testimony speak for themselves. These men must face the consequences of their actions in a court of law.”
Du Preez said the state has argued that a prima facie case has been established, with multiple witnesses and video evidence corroborating the involvement of all eight accused officers through the doctrine of common purpose.
“The public deserves closure on this case,” she added.
“Each postponement is a reminder of how often victims of police brutality must wait for justice while those responsible remain in uniform. We urge the court to proceed without further delay once the magistrate returns.”
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