The City Press article you referenced, published on April 20, 2025, reports that the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Presidential Protection Unit are investigating an alleged shooting incident involving Deputy President Paul Mashatileās official car. According to the article, the vehicle was reportedly shot at three times while Mashatile was en route home after an ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, approximately three weeks prior to the articleās publication. Mashatileās spokesperson, Keith Khoza, confirmed the incident occurred on the N12 highway, and Mashatile was safely evacuated.However, there are reasons to approach this report with caution.
No other major South African news outlets, such as News24ās main platform, IOL, or eNCA, have independently verified or reported on this specific incident based on available information. Posts on X reflect skepticism, with some users questioning the storyās credibility and suggesting it may be sensationalist or politically motivated. Additionally, the lack of corroborating reports from other reputable sources raises doubts about the storyās authenticity. City Press is a credible outlet, but the absence of wider coverage is notable for an event of this magnitude.
Source: Skynet