Did someone try to assassinate Deputy President Paul Mashatile? Investigations are underway

702's John Perlman interviews Andrew Kallman, a gunsmith at JLK Concepts.

Listen below:

Investigations are underway after one of Deputy President Paul Mashatile's official vehicles, equipped with high-grade bulletproof glass, was shot at earlier this month.

The incident occurred while Mashatile was travelling home from an African National Congress (ANC) National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Boksburg, Gauteng.

Focusing on the technical aspects of the incident, gunsmith Kallman explains that the angle of impact can often be determined based on the bullet's effect on the glass.

He further explains that the calibre of the weapon can typically be identified once the bullet is extracted from the glass – unless it has been destroyed upon impact.

"A .22 long rifle, for instance; the bullet will be totally destroyed on bulletproof glass."

- Andrew Kallman, Gunsmith – JLK Concepts

Initial reports indicate that Mashatile initially believed the vehicle had been struck by stones.

However, Kallman dismisses this possibility, emphasising that the impact of bullets and stones is markedly different.

According to him, stones are unlikely to shatter or leave a significant indent on bulletproof glass.

In contrast, while a handgun may cause an indent, it is unlikely to penetrate the glass in the way a high-calibre rifle round might.

"Bulletproof glass is made of layers of glass and plastic, so the bullet hitting the glass would penetrate the surface layer of the glass."

- Andrew Kallman, Gunsmith – JLK Concepts

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.