THE collapse of Deputy President Paul Mashatile has raised concern on his health.
This follows an incident where he collapsed at an event in Limpopo, Tzaneen, attending N’wamitwa Day celebrations on Saturday.
He fell ill and had to be escorted off stage by security, after a video showing the collapse was shared on social media. He can be seen battling to speak as he looks down at his speech. Disorientated, he takes a short break before attempting to continue.
Seconds later he collapses, and is caught by a security official and was then rushed to hospital.
Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba, who was attending as head of the province, was quoted as having said ‘Mashatile is fine’ after the collapse.
Ramathuba says the public should not be alarmed by the situation. She suspects that heat exhaustion could have led to the collapse.
Ramathuba later took to the podium to call for calm.
“He was addressing a meeting when he started feeling unwell. Security took him to a car and he was taken to another location for assessment by medical personnel. Rushing him to a hospital would have taken longer, and may have complicated issues further.
“Medical professionals checked his condition and found nothing serious. They cleared him shortly after,” Mashatile’s acting spokesperson Keith Khoza told The Citizen.
Khoza said temperatures in the area had reached as high as 39 degrees and Mashatile was found to have been dehydrated.
The Limpopo government, says Mashatile was attending the event in his capacity as Chairperson of the Presidential Task Team on matters of traditional and Khoi-San leaders.
“The N’waMitwa Day is aimed at commemorating the inauguration of Her Royal Highness Hosi Dr N’waMitwa II, which took place on 29 August 2008 as a pioneer woman traditional leader among the Vatsonga people.
The installation of Hosi N’waMitwa II advances the Constitutional values of gender equality and non-discrimination in the country.”
Image (Dep Pres Paul Mashatile collapsed due to soaring temperatures in Tzaneen over the weekend, but is fine now).
