The National Commissioner of the South African Police Service, General Fannie Masemola, says Presidential Protection Services have been tightened after a shooting on Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s convoy a few weeks ago.

Mashatile appears to have been the target of a shooting after his convoy was fired at several weeks ago, an incident Masemola has now confirmed.

ALSO READ: Alleged attack on Deputy President Mashatile

In a statement, Masemola says Members of the Presidential Protection Service (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.

He says the resources assigned to safeguard the executive are also adequate and designed to prevent any direct and imminent threat to their lives.

It is not common practice to discuss safety and security aspects of the executive, but Masemola says following reports of the alleged attempt on Mashatile’s convoy, he deemed it fit to assure the country that sufficient resources are always assigned to safeguard members of the national executive.

He confirmed the shooting incident involving the Deputy President’s convoy, and says that an extensive investigation was conducted and is 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.”

The Commissioner has also confirmed the reinforcement of security detail to both the President and Deputy President.

“The incident remains under investigation with a high level team assigned to investigate this case.”