Paul Mashatile’s official vehicles was struck by bullets three times while he was travelling home from an ANC NEC meeting.
National police commissioner General Fannie Masemola has assured the nation of the safety of the country’s executive.
This comes after reports that one of Mashatile’s official vehicles was struck by bullets three times while he was travelling home from an ANC national executive committee (NEC) meeting in Boksburg, Gauteng.
Shooting
The shooting occurred on the N12 highway while Mashatile was inside the vehicle.
Masemola confirmed “a shooting incident” involving Mashatile’s convoy, adding that an intensive investigation followed the incident, which reportedly took place at the end of March.
“Crime Intelligence is also continuing with its regular risk and threat assessment on both the President and the Deputy President,” said police spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe.
“General Fannie Masemola confirms the reinforcement of the security detail to both principals and has also expressed gratitude with the manner in which members of the Presidential Protection Services (PPS) safeguard and handle the safety of both principals,” she said.
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Protection
Mathe said a high-level team has been assigned to investigate the case.
“Members of the Presidential Protection Service (PPS) who are assigned to both the President and the Deputy President are trained to a high level of skill and possess the necessary expertise and capabilities to avert any risk and threat.
Mathe said the resources assigned to safeguard the executive are also adequate and designed to prevent any direct and imminent threat to Ramaphosa and Mashatile.
“While it is not common practice to discuss safety and security aspects of the executive, the National Commissioner deems it fit to assure the country that sufficient resources are always assigned to safeguard members of the national executive.”
Mathe said the Mashatile incident remains under investigation with a “high-level team assigned to investigate this case.”
VIP assault
This is not the first time Mashatile’s security detail has made headlines.
In 2023, members of his VIP protection team were involved in an incident that drew widespread condemnation.
Eight of his protection officers were filmed assaulting the occupants of a Blue Polo Vivo on the N1 Highway.
The victims were en route from Potchefstroom in the North West to a military base in Pretoria when the alleged assault occurred.
Mashatile clarified that he was not on the scene at the time of the assault.
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