The former bodyguards of Deputy President Paul Mashatile have officially entered into a not-guilty plea in their assault case.
Last July, the eight SAPS VIP presidential protection unit members were allegedly filmed beating up off-duty soldiers on the side of the N1 highway in Johannesburg.
They are charged with a combined 11 counts, which include pointing of a firearm, reckless and negligent driving among others.
After a six-month break for the State to finalize its investigations, the trial began in earnest on Monday.
However, before the first State witness could be called, Magistrate Abdul Khan placed stringent conditions on how the media should report on the case.
Khan said the media could not identify any State witnesses or report on their testimony until after the trial.
The magistrate also prevented television broadcasters from live streaming the court proceedings and ordered that their cameras remain unmanned throughout the proceedings.
The first State witness gave testimony on Monday, however, the publication can only report on their testimony after the trial.
-EWN
In other news – #RIPMphoSebeng: Natasha Thahane under fire over her reaction to Mpho Sebeng’s death
Well-known South African actress Natasha Thahane has been labeled “dramatic” following her reaction to the news of Mpho Sebeng’s death. Sebeng, who was a child star and thespian, tragically died in a car accident in Potchefstroom, North West, in the early hours of Sunday, 5 May.
As tributes continue to pour in from the actor’s colleagues, Thahane – who shared the screen with Sebeng on Saints and Sinners – posted a screenshot of her phone log to indicate she is in disbelief and she’s been trying to get ahold of him since the tragic news. Read More
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