By: Natasha Archary
Shadrack Molekatlane Kojoana testified that Deputy President Paul Mashatile was in fact in the convoy but not present during the VIP Protection Unit assault which was caught on camera by a motorist on the N1 highway.
Kojoana was one of 8 members of the Deputy President’s security detail who appeared at the Randburg Magistrates Court on Monday, 24 July, where they face 12 charges.
This after the men were recorded, dragging and violently assaulting 3 male occupants of a blue VW Polo, after forcing the vehicle onto the side of the busy highway on Sunday, 02 July.
Kojoana, together with his team members, Johannes Matome Mampuru, Pomso Joseph Mofokeng, Harmans Madumetja Ramokhonami, Phineas Molefo Boshielo, Churchill Mpakamaseni Mkhize, Lesibana Aggrie Rambau and Moses Fhatuwani Tshidada, face 12 charges including:
- pointing a firearm
- reckless and negligent driving
- malicious damage to property
- assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm
- obstruction of justice
- assault by way of threat
However, in his testimony, Kojoana did not believe that any of the VIP Protection Unit members had done anything wrong, declaring “there was no assault.”
“Yes, I am denying the video. We did what we were supposed to do, control the situation and assess the threat.
I was the one who removed one of the occupants from the vehicle. I did not drag him, I pulled him out and instructed him to lay down.”
Kojoana said they were informed to “check out” the VW Polo in radio communication, after the vehicle allegedly approached the main car of the detail, the one the Deputy President was travelling in.
Mashatile’s security detail were reportedly transporting him back to his Midrand home, when the VW Polo approached the convoy at high speed.
“The vehicle came approaching, I think, from the third lane at high speed. We were travelling in the fast lane, on the far right. It was approaching the main car.
The car that I was in was the car that was supposed to protect No.2 of the country (Deputy President).
We shielded the main car and tried to push the VW Polo away.
When the Polo reduced speed, it came back again to the vehicle transporting our leader. We asked ourselves what was happening and whether it was a threat to us.”
Kojoana said the Polo tried to bump into the main vehicle several times, and says he was also the one who instructed the female passenger of the Polo to get back into the vehicle.
All 8 VIP Protection Unit members were suspended from their duties, and handed themselves over to police in Sandton on Sunday, 23 July.
The matter has been postponed to Wednesday, 26 July.
