Deputy President Paul Mashatile collapses during speech

DEPUTY President Paul Mashatile had to receive medical treatment yesterday after he collapsed during an event in Limpopo.

Mashatile was attending the N’waMitwa Day celebrations in Tzaneen in his capacity as chairperson of the Presidential Task Team on matters of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders.

However, Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba, who is a medical doctor, told the SABC that the deputy president was “okay”.

It appears that Mashatile was struggling because of the heat when he collapsed on the podium while addressing the crowd.

The deputy president was accompanied by Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa.

The N’waMitwa Day celebration commemorates the inauguration of Her Royal Highness Hosi Dr N’waMitwa II, which took place on August 29, 2008, as a pioneer woman traditional leader among the Vatsonga people, the official government website said.

Mashatile’s health scare comes while South Africa mourns the death of Struggle hero and former minister Pravin Jamnadas Gordhan on Friday. He was 75.