A VIP Protection Unit police officer assigned to Free State MEC for Finance, Gadija Brown, has appeared in court on a charge of attempted murder after allegedly using his firearm to avenge himself for being assaulted with a beer bottle at a tavern.

Warrant Officer Vusumuzi Matthews Makhaza, 49, was released on warning when he appeared in the Mangaung Magistrate’s Court this week.

Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) spokesperson Robbie Raburabu said Makhaza was arrested last month following the incident, which took place at a tavern in Kagisong, Bloemfontein, days earlier.

“The warrant officer fought with a fellow patron at the tavern, and he was allegedly hit with a beer bottle on the ear and sustained an injury. On September 24, he went to a place looking for the person that attacked him seeking revenge.

“When he failed to locate the man, he went back later that evening and found him with his girlfriend and a nine-month-old baby. When the mother saw the officer holding a gun she immediately closed and locked the door and phoned the police,” said Raburabu.

Raburabu said Makhaza tried in vain to break into the house and ran away before police arrived at the scene.

He added that IPID was notified of the incident two days after the incident happened and after conducting preliminary investigations, the officer was arrested on September 28.

“At the time of his arrest, he was escorting the MEC to an event. After his arrest, he was detained at the Mangaung Police Station.

Makhaza was released on warning when he appeared in court this week.

The case has been postponed to November 2 for further investigation.

It is not the first time that government VIP protectors found themselves in hot water for attacking civilians.

Currently, deputy president Paul Mashatile’s VIP officers are out on R10 000 bail each following a filmed assault on a motorist along the N1 road in Gauteng.