Johannesburg – A joint investigation has been launched by the South African Police Services (SAPS) and the Presidential Protection Unit (PPU) into an alleged shooting incident involving Deputy President Paul Mashatile's official vehicle. The incident, which occurred three weeks ago, has raised serious questions about security protocols and comes amidst a backdrop of heightened political tensions and smear campaigns.
The SAPS has acknowledged the incident involving Mashatile's car but has declined to provide further details, citing the sensitivity of the investigation. The incident has reportedly left Mashatile's security team deeply concerned about his safety.
Mashatile's spokesperson, Keith Khoza, also confirmed the shooting, stating that it occurred after the NEC meeting. He said the matter has been reported to the head of the presidential security unit for thorough investigation and has been brought to the attention of National Police Commissioner, General Fanie Masemola.
"All we know is that the car was hit [by gunfire] after leaving the NEC meeting," Khoza said. "The issue is currently being handled by the [SAPS] general responsible for presidential security services and the related arms of the police force."
Khoza expressed confidence in the police's ability to uncover the truth behind the incident. "However, we are confident that the police will uncover this whole thing," he said. He declined to provide further details, stating that it could potentially jeopardise the ongoing investigation. "Let me not get into technical details, because the police might want to deal with that," he explained.
When asked why the PPU did not retaliate during the incident, Khoza emphasised that the primary objective was to ensure the Deputy President's safety and immediate evacuation from the area. "They whisked him away to safety and that was more important [than shooting back]," he said.
Khoza described such incidents as "scary" and expressed hope that the investigation would reveal the motive behind the shooting and lead to the arrest of those responsible. "We are waiting for the full report from the relevant people once the investigation is done so that we can know the motive and possibly the arrest of those who did it," he said.
Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, spokesperson for SAPS National Commissioner Fanie Masemola, declined to comment on the matter, citing security protocols. "The SAPS does not discuss or comment on safety and security aspects concerning the president or deputy president, including members of Cabinet, in the public domain," Mathe said.
The alleged shooting incident comes amidst a series of political attacks and smear campaigns targeting Mashatile. Two weeks ago, Sunday World reported on a plot to charge Mashatile based on a fabricated WhatsApp conversation purportedly between the National Prosecuting Authority's (NPA) Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Rachel Makhari, and two Cabinet ministers. The alleged conversation related to a case of perjury opened by disgruntled ANC members in the province.
Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi and Makhari have both condemned the spread of the fake recording. In a statement, Kubayi denounced the fabricated conversation, which falsely suggested that she had authorised Mashatile's prosecution.
"The minister strongly condemns this malicious and orchestrated smear campaign, which seeks to create division and pit her against the deputy president," the statement read. "This is part of an orchestrated campaign through certain unethical sections of the media, which seeks to tarnish the image of the minister."
Kubayi's statement highlighted the numerous political and personal attacks directed at her, suggesting a deliberate effort to damage her reputation. The fake conversation featured a cellphone number closely resembling that of the minister and falsely claimed that the authorisation to prosecute had the concurrence of the president.
The statement emphasised that neither the minister nor anyone else has the authority to direct the NPA on prosecutorial decisions. Kubayi has since opened a case of fraud, obstruction of justice, impersonation, cybercrime, defamation, and crimen injuria at the Brooklyn Police Station in Pretoria.
The NPA has also issued a statement condemning the spread of misinformation and reaffirming its commitment to upholding the rule of law. "The rule of law is under attack at multiple levels," the NPA stated. "We should not forget the painful lessons from the state capture era where our country was brought to its knees by those using every possible avenue, including the media, to try to destroy our institutions."
The NPA stressed its determination to protect the gains made in ensuring the rule of law and vowed not to be deterred by fake news attacks driven by various agendas, including political ones. The statement also expressed full confidence in the integrity and independence of Advocate Makhari and reiterated that the NPA discharges its constitutional mandate without fear, favour, or prejudice.
"The current leadership of the NPA is on record to confirm that it has never been subjected to any executive interference in the discharge of its prosecutorial mandate and this remains the position," the NPA stated. "The current leadership is beholden only to the constitutional mandate of the NPA and serves only the people of South Africa."
The NPA also addressed the case relating to Mashatile, confirming that it had reopened the perjury case against him after lawyers representing the disgruntled ANC members informed Makhari of their intention to challenge her decision not to prosecute the Deputy President in court.
At the time, Mashatile's acting spokesperson, Keith Khoza, downplayed the incident, stating that the Deputy President experienced a "slight disturbance" while delivering his keynote address. "He started losing energy and slowed down. He was about to stop talking but the guys that were next to him then took him to a place to go get checked if there was anything of concern. He was taken to a place where he can be checked. The medical team assigned to him gave him a clean medical bill of health [sic]," Khoza explained.
However, a video later surfaced of Mashatile speaking at the Tshwane University of Technology on Friday evening, where he claimed to have suffered from "food poisoning". In the clip, Mashatile tells a student that he was "sick" earlier that morning after he "had like food poisoning or something". "My office was very worried because as I came back home, on the plane I didn't eat so they were worried if I'd be able to come," Mashatile said. He told his staff he was feeling "much better" when the suggestion was made to address the students virtually. "God is good," he said.
