The first witness in the case involving the VIP guards associated with Deputy President Paul Mashatile broke down in tears in court when the defence claimed that their vehicle had been halted because it could have endangered the deputy president’s entourage.
This comes after the case resumed in Randburg magistrate’s court for the third day on Wednesday following its five-month-long postponement.
The witness is the victim of the alleged assault by the deputy president’s protection team.
Defence says victim obstructed the motorcade
According to defence attorney, advocate Mswazi Makhubele during cross-examination, the victim’s blue Polo Vivo repeatedly obstructed the accused’s motorcade because the vehicle managed to weave in and out of the procession.
The accused’s manner of stopping them, according to the victim, made them fearful for their safety.
He told the court that they believed they were being hijacked when the accused pointed a gun at them.
Makhubele requested that the incident’s footage be played in court. He emphasised that others could be heard in the video pointing out that the vehicle had alcohol bottles.
“Were you drinking in the car? If you were not, why were there beer bottles in the car?” asked Makhubele.
The victim replied that there were empty bottles in a crate instead of alcohol in the car’s boot. This was because the people inside the car had been drinking the day before. They planned to use the bottles later, not on the day of the incident.
Makhubele said the victim’s words contradict the accused’s version of events. That when they searched the car, the boot was loaded with liquor.
Victim broke down during cross examination
The victim sobbed in court during the intense cross-examination. He asked the defence why, if he posed a threat to the motorcade, the eight defendants did not follow the proper protocol.
“The driver of the vehicle was boxed to the side of the road because the accused feared that he might collide with the motorcade. This because they were driving at a high speed.
“The car you were driving in was given multiple hand signals that you eventually noted with hand gestures. However, the car continued to speed off. It was at that time that a communication was made for the car to be boxed.”
According to the victim, he noticed a black vehicle come up next to them on the road, not a motorcade. He said that ever since the incident, he has lived in constant fear because, after he was assaulted, he lost unconsciousness.
Case postponed to Thursday
Magistrate Abdul Khan postponed the case to Thursday when the witness broke down.
The eight accused are facing 11 charges. The charges include causing malicious damage to property, pointing a firearm and reckless driving. Also attempting to defeat the administration of justice, to which they have pleaded not guilty.
The incident took place on the N1 highway in Johannesburg in July 2023. The accused handed themselves over to the police and they were all released on R10,000 bail each.
