The case against eight VIP police officers assigned to Deputy President Paul Mashatile is moving at a snail's pace after it was postponed today by the Randburg Magistrates' Court. The state says it will need at least a month to track down the person who sent threatening text messages to the person who recorded the video of the eight officers when they were brutally beating a motorist and his passengers earlier this month on the N1 highway in Fourways, Johannesburg. 

Shadrack Molekatlane Kojana, Johannes Matome Mampuru, Pomso Joseph Mofokeng, Harmans Madumetja Ramokhonami, Phineas Molefo Boshielo, Churchill Mpakameseni Mkhize, Lesibana Aggrie Rambau, and Moses Fhatuwani Tshidada, will spend a few more days before they find out if they will be released on bail. The Randburg Magistrates Court ruled today that the judgment on the bail application by the suspects will be handed down next week Tuesday. The state is opposing bail against the accused. State Prosecutor Elize Le Roux said they are finding it hard to track down the person who sent the threatening messages to the witness who took the video of the assault. It's alleged that the witness received threatening WhatsApp messages after the video went viral. "We will investigate this particular aspect," she said, adding it is hard to put a time to it but it might take a month.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Gauteng spokesperson, Phindi Mjonondwane said the main reason they are keeping the suspects locked up is due to the threats to the witnesses. "The accused before court pose a threat. The only ground to us is that the witnesses are fearing for their lives. It is not because we think the accused will not attend the trial," she said. "They denied that they pose any danger to witnesses, they also said the witnesses are unknown to them even if we were to disclose who our witnesses are, they will not threaten them or interfere with the investigation process," she said. The group is facing 12 counts ranging from traffic infringement, several charges of assault, malicious damage to property, and the pointing of a firearm. The officers remain behind bars until their next appearance on 1 August.