Deputy President Paul Mashatile's VIP Protection Unit members caught on camera assaulting motorists alongside a Johannesburg highway will spend the weekend in custody after their bail application was postponed to Tuesday, 1 August 2023, at Randburg Magistrates' Court on Thursday. Here's what we know so far.

On Thursday, 27 July, eight members of the VIP protection unit attached to Deputy President Paul Mashatile appeared in the Randburg Magistrates' Court to continue their bail hearing. However, magistrate Hlengiwe Mkhabisi could not pass judgment and postponed the matter until Tuesday, 1 August.

This comes after the eight accused - Shadrack Molekatlane Kojana, Johannes Matome Mampuru, Posmo Joseph Mofokeng, Harmans Madumetja Ramokhonami, Phineas Molefo Boshielo, Churchill Mpakamaseni Mkhize, Lesiba Aggrie Ramabu and Moses Fhatuwani - made their first court appearance on Monday, 22 days after a motorist caught them on camera assaulting four military trainees on the N1 highway in Johannesburg.

They handed themselves over to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) on Sunday afternoon. They face 12 charges that include malicious damage to property, assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm, pointing a firearm, reckless or negligent driving and an attempt to defeat or obstruct the administration of justice.

This week in court, one of the accused claimed they were protecting "South Africa's second [most] important citizen" and that the video wasn't a true reflection of the events that day, as it had not captured everything that occurred.

Another accused claimed the victims were drunk and...