A man was apprehended by Presidential Security after storming the stage towards President Ramaphosa during an ANC meeting in the North West on Saturday, 27 May 2023.
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Disruption ensued at the engagement between President Cyril Ramaphosa, along with members of the ANC’s national working committee (NWC) and the party’s structures in the North West on Saturday.
The meeting was marred by a chaotic scene, which required the swift intervention of the presidential protection services to ensure the safety of the president.
According to News24, a man not accredited to be part of the meeting, managed to breach the security measures and enter the civic centre where the meeting was taking place. Despite the presence of the stationed presidential protection unit, the individual successfully evaded detection and made their way into the venue.
Once inside the building, the individual encountered a second set of doors that provided access to the auditorium. This area was fortified with additional security personnel and party members. Undeterred, the individual, dressed in all-black attire, sprinted towards the stage.
Amidst the shouts of ‘catch that man,’ the president’s security detail sprang into action, swiftly moving to apprehend the intruder.
The man was tackled to the ground by the presidential security detail in close proximity to the stage. His progress towards the stairs, a mere few meters away from the president, was effectively halted.
The remaining members of Ramaphosa’s security detail promptly rushed to shield the president from any potential harm while the man was escorted away.
Nono Maloyi, the ANC North West Provincial chairperson who was present on stage during the incident, downplayed the dramatic events that unfolded saying, ‘We apologised, the man was not mentally stable.’
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Picture: @CyrilRamaphosa / Twitter