Paul Mashatile

Deputy President Paul Mashatile has been at the forefront of several significant events in South African politics recently. In June 2025, he addressed the South African Trade and Investment Seminar at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) 2025, emphasizing the importance of strengthening economic partnerships with Russia and other global allies[1][3]. Mashatile also participated in a public lecture at St. Petersburg State University, discussing South Africa’s G20 presidency in a rapidly changing geopolitical environment[3].

On the domestic front, Mashatile has faced scrutiny over allegations of an attempted assassination, which the ANC has dismissed as unsubstantiated and linked to the upcoming 2027 national conference rumors[4]. Additionally, there have been controversies surrounding the awarding of the national lottery license to Sizekhaya Holdings, a company linked to Mashatile’s family members, prompting calls for an independent investigation by the Democratic Alliance (DA)[5][7].

In a recent interview, Mashatile discussed various political issues, including the state of coalition governance, ethical questions surrounding his office, and the future of the ANC[2]. Furthermore, Mashatile has been involved in efforts to navigate the tensions within the Government of National Unity (GNU), which have been strained due to budget disputes and calls for reform in conflict resolution mechanisms[8].

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