Latest news with #Mofolo4
IOL News
23-04-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Deputy President Paul Mashatile's security detail re-enforced amid scrutiny over alleged assassination attempt
Deputy President Paul Mashatile says the issue of beefing up his security detail can only be determined by the security cluster following reports that his state vehicle was shot at last month. Image: Itumeleng English/Independent Newspapers The country's security cluster has beefed up President Cyril Ramaphosa and deputy president Paul Mashatile's security detail. In a statement on Tuesday, National police commissioner, General Fannie Masemola confirmed that following an alleged shooting of Mashatile's convoy in Boksburg last month, a high-level investigation into the matter has been instituted with a ballistic report already concluded. On Tuesday, on the sidelines of the Mofolo 4 commemorative event at Mofolo Arts Centre, Mashatile indicated that he has left the issue of beefing up his security detail to the office of the security cluster. This comes after the deputy president on the weekend claimed that his official state vehicle was shot at several times while he was being driven from a recent ANC NEC meeting in the east of Johannesburg in an incident suspected to be an attempt on his life. However, some outside and inside the ANC have poured cold water over the deputy president Mashatile's claims with the EFF having said it found it strange that both the President's office and the ANC have not come out to support one of their own after having survived an attempt on his life. When asked if he had beefed up his security following this incident, Mashatile who spoke to the media ahead of his address at the Mofolo Arts Centre where he was due to celebrate the Mofolo 4 combatants who died while fighting the apartheid security forces on March 28, 1988, Mashatile said only the security cluster can make adjustments to his security detail. "The President and the Deputy President do not determine their own security. That is an assessment that is done by the security cluster. At the moment, we are convinced that both the President and the Deputy President have adequate security. If they think that it needs to be beefed up, they will do so, but that is not part of our request," he stated. Brigadier Athlenda Mathe speaking on behalf of the national commissioner indicated that Masemola while the matter is being investigated, Mashatile's security has been re-enforced to ensure his safety. "Following the incident, an extensive investigation was conducted and still underway with the ballistics report already concluded. Crime Intelligence is also continuing with its regular risk and threat assessment on both the President and the Deputy President. 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 PPS safeguard and handle the safety of both principals," Mathe stated. Earlier on Tuesday, Mashatile's claim was rubbished by ANC Treasurer-General Dr Gwen Ramokgopa who said some reported incidents of assassinations are usually fake. "Usually when there are these reports (of assassination), many of them are fake, actually," Ramokgopa said on Tuesday, speaking to the media at the ANC Northern Cape elective conference "We have seen a lot of fake things. We have referred these matters for the secretariat to deal with organisationally, and indeed, in due course, we will respond to that," she said. Her sentiments were also echoed by ANC leader in the Northern Cape, Zamani Saul who said no one would attempt to kill a leader of a 40% party.
IOL News
23-04-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Deputy President Mashatile pays tribute to Mofolo 4 combatants for bravery in Mutale River battle
Deputy President, Paul Mashatile has commended the bravery of the Mofolo 4 who took on the armed forces of Apartheid in 1988 during the battle of Mutale River during an event at Mofolo Arts Centre in Soweto. Image: Itumeleng English Deputy President, Paul Mashatile has honoured the Mofolo 4 combatants who spent more than 24 hours fighting against the Apartheid forces during the battle of Mutale River in 1988. The fallen and surviving heroes of the 'Battle of Mutale' were first honoured during a special first commemoration function that was held at Mutale River in April 2022 by the South African Military Veteran Association, with the ANC committing to ensuring that their legacy is never forgotten. They are celebrated for their gallant fighting spirit when on 28 March 1988, nine Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) Soldiers, aged between 19 and 21 years were surprised by heavy enemy fire from the apartheid South African Defense Force (SADF) and the then Bantustan Venda Defense Force (VDF), in what came to be known as 'The Battle of Mutale River'. At the time of the battle, the MK Unit was tasked with infiltrating the rural areas of the then-Venda Bantustan homeland in the Northern Transvaal (now Limpopo), and they crossed from Zimbabwe into South Africa on 25 March 1988. James Sekgale, the survivor of the battle has in the past related the pain of losing his four comrades which included Daniel Nkabinde (Vusi Mthembu), Oupa Lukhele (Dan Mabaso), Mlungiseleli Velaphi (Mzimkhulu Goduka), Sipho Nkosi (Peter Molotsi) and Ruben Lentsela (Benard Zondi). Mashatile who took a walk with members of the military veterans ahead of his address at the Mofolo Arts Centre on Tuesday afternoon commended the fighting spirit of the combatants and many other struggle heroes who laid down their lives fighting for the country's hard-won freedom. Scores of ANC members from various branches in the province came out in their numbers for Deputy President, Paul Mashatile's address in honour of the Mofolo 4 combatants at the Mofolo Arts Centre in Soweto on Tuesday. Image: Itumeleng English/Independent Newspapers "Today we walk among heroes who dedicated their lives to the noble course of fighting for our freedom. Only three combatants remain. As we mark Freedom Month, we must pay tribute to those freedom fighters who fought and paid with their lives. Thank you for immortalizing these comrades and on such occasions, we are always reminded that our freedom was not free. It was burdened by untold suffering and struggle of individuals who left the comfort of their lives to fight for our country," he said. Mashatile indicated that a country that does not honour and celebrate its heroes, is doomed to fail as it tries to create a new path for itself adding that the skirmishes at Mutale constitute one of many heroic battles that MK fought against the apartheid forces during its 60-year history. Some of the battles that have made the ANC's history books also include the sabotage campaign of 1961-1964; the joint MK/ZIPRA Wankie/Sipolilo campaign of 1967/68; the Sasol bombing of 1980; the artillery attack on Voortrekkerhoogte as well as attacks on police stations.
