THE eight members of Deputy President Paul Mashatile's VIP protection service have been granted bail of R10 000 each.
Appearing disguised once again in the Randburg Magistrates Court on Tuesday, 1 August, Shadrack Molekatlane Kojoana and his seven colleagues - Johannes Matome Mampuru, Pomso Joseph Mofokeng, Harmans Madumetja Ramokhonami, Phineas Molefo Boshielo, Churchill Mpakamaseni Mkhize, Lesibana Aggrie Rambau and Moses Fhatuwani Tshidada, were ready to hear their fate.
They face 12 charges, including assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and obstruction of justice.
The charges stem from an incident on 2 July, when the accused were caught on video allegedly assaulting four motorists on the N1 in Gauteng.
Magistrate Hleziphi Mkhasibe challenged the state's arguments, saying they failed to place evidence that demonstrated the interest of justice does not permit the release of the applicants on bail.
At the time, the state relied on a threatening message received by one of their witnesses who circulated the footage on social media and claimed should the accused be out on bail would intimidate their witnesses.
But Mkhasibe said the state could not link the accused to the threatening message and instead agreed with the defence, who argued that the state speculated that the applicants were responsible for sending the message.
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While the state indicated that they have an alternative method to trace the sender of the message, Mkhasibe questioned the likelihood of this method proving any positive results and further linking the accused to the crime.
Another point Mkhasibe raised in her argument was the hastiness by the state of placing the matter on the roll if they were not ready.
“One would have expected them to wait for a while, gather their evidence thereafter follow due processes,” she said.
As a result, the men were granted bail on condition that they won't intimidate state witnesses or interfere with investigations.
Gauteng National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokeswoman Phindi Mjonodwane said they had taken note of the magistrate's decision, but were adamant that they did not act out of hastiness and had enough to bring the matter to court while also protecting their witnesses.
The matter will be back in court on 27 September.
