The viral video recording of a 49-year-old Ester Mankge being assaulted in Limpopo last year October was reported on Tuesday and has caused quite an uproar in the country. The video explicitly shows two security guards assaulting the old citizen for apparently stealing a packet of underwear.  Matthew Makofane, Maria Mahlaela, Gladys Maphanga, Refilwe Mzimba and Thabang Makuwa are all employees at Limpopo’s clothing shop called Jane Furse.

“Regardless of alleged crime, all citizens have an inalienable right to human dignity as well as access to justice and the protection of the law,” was president Jacob Zuma’s response to the story.  Despite the president’s condemnation, two of the accused , Matthew Makofane and Maria Mahlaela were each granted bail of R500 each by the Nebo Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.

The group is expected to appear in the Nebo Magistrate’s Court on April 22 on charges of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.