Paul Mashatile Explains Delay in Beefing Up Security After Assassination Attempt
Deputy President Paul Mashatile has opened up about the recent alleged assassination attempt on his life and why his security hasn’t been increased amid allegations that his assassination attempt was staged.
Mashatile was returning from an ANC meeting in Boksburg when shots were fired at his convoy. At first, he thought someone was throwing stones at his car. But it quickly became clear that it was gunfire.
Mashatile Speaks Out After Assassination Attempt
Speaking during a visit to Greater Ivory Park Zone 15 in Soweto, where he was honouring freedom fighters who were killed by police in 1987, Mashatile addressed the issue head-on. He was asked by eNCA journalist Pule Letshwiti-Jones why his security hadn’t been beefed up following the incident.
Mashatile explained that security decisions are not up to him or the President. Those calls are made by the country’s security agencies.
He explained:
“Well, the President and Deputy President don’t determine their security. It’s an assessment done by the security cluster. At the moment, we are convinced that both the President and Deputy President have adequate security. If they think they need to beef up, they will do so.”
While Mashatile downplayed the need for changes, police leadership has already taken action behind the scenes.
Paul Mashatile’s Security Beefed Up Following Assassination Attempt
In a statement issued Tuesday night, police commissioner Fannie Masemola’s spokesperson, Athlenda Mathe, confirmed that extra protection had been deployed for both President Cyril Ramaphosa and his deputy.
“General Fannie Masemola confirms the reinforcement of security detail to both principals and has also expressed gratitude with the manner in which members of the Presidential Protection Service (PPS) safeguard and handle the safety of both principals. Members of the 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. The resources assigned to safeguard the executive are also adequate and designed to prevent any direct and imminent threat on their lives,” she said.
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The post Paul Mashatile Explains Delay in Beefing Up Security After Assassination Attempt appeared first on iHarare News.
