By Akani Nkuna
The Economic Freedom Fighters has criticised the shooting involving the convoy of Deputy President Paul Mashatile.
The convoy was shot at near Boksburg three weeks ago. The attack occurred as Mashatile was en route home following an African National Congress national executive committee meeting.
The party voiced alarm over the apparent security breach and emphasised the need for urgent action to ensure the safety of the country’s leaders.
Calling for a thorough investigation, the EFF urged law enforcement to bring those responsible to justice and prevent similar incidents in the future.
“While internal dynamics within the African National Congress may be complex due to extreme factionalism, the safety and security of our nation’s leadership transcend partisan lines,” EFF spokesperson Sinawo Thambo said in a statement on Monday.
“We, therefore, urge the relevant authorities to provide clarity on the circumstances surrounding this incident and to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.”
Mashatile was unharmed, and the police have confirmed that the matter is under active investigation, however, they have declined to give further details.
The EFF further said that it found troubling the continued silence from the Presidency and state security agencies about the specifics of the incident, emphasising that moments of such seriousness, transparency was not just necessary but critical.
“As the nation’s second-in-command, any attack on his person or attempt on his life is not only alarming but also poses a significant threat to national security… The public has the right to be informed about threats to national leaders, irrespective of political affiliations,” Thambo added.
The SA Communist Party has also voiced serious concern over the attack, warning against the potential decline of South Africa’s political environment into violence, lawlessness and bloodshed.
It further emphasised the importance of safeguarding democratic processes and called for swift action to prevent any further escalation of politically motivated incidents.
“This criminal act represents not only an assault on an individual but a direct attack on the democratic institutions of our republic. Such actions are intolerable and must be met with the full force of the law,” said SACP spokesperson Alex Mashilo.
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