N1 assault scandal: Mashatile’s men ‘acquitted’

VIP Unit Attack

Cape Town – Eight members of Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s VIP protection unit, who were filmed assaulting civilians on the N1 highway in 2023, have reportedly been acquitted by the South African Police Service (SAPS) following an internal disciplinary process.

The officers — Shadrack Kojoana, Johannes Mampuru, Posmo Mofokeng, Harmans Ramokhonami, Phineas Boshielo, Churchill Mkhize, Lesiba Ramabu, and Moses Fhatuwani — remain out on R10,000 bail each and still face 12 criminal charges, including assault, malicious damage to property, and reckless driving.

DA MP Ian Cameron, who chairs the Portfolio Committee on Police, said on X that the officers had been cleared of the charges by the police.

He  criticised the SAPS decision, calling it a “final insult” to the victims and a sign of protected police brutality.

“Do you remember these thugs that, embarrassingly, are part of the presidential protection services in the SA Police Service?

“The Saps has officially acquitted all eight VIP protection unit officers who were filmed assaulting civilians on the N1 in 2023. This is the final insult to victims — and a warning to the public: police brutality will be protected behind closed doors,” Cameron said on X.

The next court hearing is scheduled for June 10.

Though reinstated in October 2023 after their suspension lapsed, the officers are currently not in operational roles.

In July 2023, eight members of Mashatile’s security team were filmed assaulting civilians on the N1 highway near Olivedale, Johannesburg.

The viral video showed them wielding firearms and attacking people in a VW Polo. They returned to work in October after the internal disciplinary process was completed.

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