KEY POINTS
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ANC confirms the shooting but will not launch a separate investigation.
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Mashatile says he is safe and committed to continuing his duties.
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SACP condemns the attack and demands accountability through legal channels.
The African National Congress said it would not conduct its investigation into the shooting involving the car of Deputy President Paul Mashatile.
National spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri confirmed that the party was aware of the incident but would leave it to the police. “The party is aware of the incident, as the deputy president is constantly updating me about it,” she said.
“We are leaving everything to the state to investigate. We would rather not interfere with the police investigation,” she added.
Bhengu-Motsiri declined to confirm whether security had been increased around the deputy president, citing the sensitivity of the matter. The incident occurred on March 30 but remained undisclosed until Mashatile addressed it publicly on March 31.
He spoke about it during a visit to KwaSizabantu Mission in Kranskop, KwaZulu-Natal.
Police, protection services investigate bullet damage to the car
Mashatile said he initially thought stones hit his vehicle after leaving an ANC NEC meeting in Boksburg.
His security team later noticed damage to the bulletproof windscreen and took the car for inspection. Technicians confirmed that bullets, not stones, caused the damage to the deputy president’s car.
Mashatile said he remained confident in his security team and insisted the attack would not stop his work.
Keith Khoza, his spokesperson, earlier confirmed that gunfire struck the vehicle. He said investigators found 12 spent cartridges at the scene, though police have not yet confirmed the discovery, IOL reported.
Police have not discussed the matter publicly, citing security protocols for senior government officials. The Presidential Protection Service is also investigating, with a ballistic expert submitting a report to national leaders.
Political parties react as probe continues into shooting
The South African Communist Party condemned the incident and called for swift justice.
“The vehicle was struck multiple times by gunfire in what appears to have been a calculated attempt,” it said.
The party warned against rising violence in South African political life and called for decisive law enforcement. “Such actions are intolerable and must be met with the full force of the law,” the SACP said.
The SACP expressed solidarity with Mashatile and affirmed its support for democratic institutions.
The incident comes as speculation grows over leadership contenders for the ANC presidency in 2027.
Mashatile is considered a potential candidate, along with Senzo Mchunu and Fikile Mbalula. A provincial task team member said no official endorsement would occur before the party’s national conference.
