Witness in former VIP officers’ case describes alleged victim’s state

The case against eight former Presidential Protection Unit officers linked to Deputy President Paul Mashatile has been postponed to Wednesday at the Randburg Magistrate’s Court.

Magistrate Abdul Khan heard evidence from the third state witness, who is the owner of a blue VW Polo that was driven by one of the alleged victims.

The witness testified that her car was in a very bad condition after the alleged incident, with windows broken and full of scratch marks. She also says one of the victims suffered severely.

“What I first spotted your worship was that the rear right window was smashed. Also, there were broken glass pieces your worship. When I saw how the vehicle was, it broke my heart. I could also see that there were some dents from the driver’s window and deep scratch marks your worship.”

She was left horrified by what she saw.

“Your worship I was in a horrified state. I screamed. I also remember crouching down asking what happened. I was not talking to anyone; I was talking out loud. The guard there explained by saying this vehicle came here Sunday afternoon in this condition.”

The state witness says one of the alleged victims was bruised, battered and covered in blood.

“His face was bloodied, his mouth, his clothes as well. He could not answer me. He was so confused. All he said to me was let us go out and talk outside because he did not want us to talk in front of colleagues that were there at the Bungalow. He had open wounds on his head, in his mouth. Also, he had open wounds. He told me that he could not open his mouth. His jaw was injured,”

Eight bodyguards face multiple charges, ranging from assault with intention to cause grievous bodily harm, reckless and negligent driving and malicious damage to property, amongst others.

Video: VIP Assault – Victim testifies in case against 8 officers, trial postponed to tomorrow