By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has added his voice to a chorus of world leaders denouncing the attempted assassination of former United States president Donald Trump.
Trump, who is running for re-election as President, was injured in the ear while he was delivering a speech during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday.
At least one person has died and two others were injured during the shooting.
The alleged shooter – who fired multiple shots towards the stage – was killed by US Secret Service personnel.
“The attempted assassination of former President Donald J. Trump is a stark reminder of the dangers of political extremism and intolerance. Political violence is the antithesis of democracy. I wish former President Trump a speedy recovery.”
“We unequivocally denounce this political violence and earnestly hope that the citizens and leaders of America will have the fortitude and sagacity to reject violence and seek peaceful solutions, ” Ramaphosa said on social media platform, X.
U.S. authorities are still investigating the shooting. The world leaders messages reads as follows:
Brazil
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said the shooting “must be strongly condemned by all defenders of democracy and political dialogue”.
“What we saw today is unacceptable.”
Canada
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he was “sickened” by the shooting.
“It cannot be overstated — political violence is never acceptable. My thoughts are with former President Trump, those at the event, and all Americans,” he wrote.
Chile
President Gabriel Boric expressed his “unqualified condemnation” of the shooting.
“Violence is a threat to democracies and weakens our life together. We must all reject it, “said Boric.
China
China’s President Xi Jinping expressed his “compassion and sympathy” to Trump, a spokesman said, following the assassination attempt.
“China is closely following the situation surrounding the shooting of former President Donald Trump,” a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman said in a statement.
France
French President Emmanuel Macron wished Donald Trump a “speedy recovery”, calling the assassination attempt on the former US president “a tragedy”.
“This is a tragedy for our democracies. France shares the shock and indignation of the American people,” Macron said on social media platform X.
India
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “deeply concerned by the attack on my friend”.
He added, “Strongly condemn the incident. Violence has no place in politics and democracies. Wish him speedy recovery. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the deceased, those injured and the American people.”
NATO
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said he was “shocked” by the assassination attempt of Trump, stressing that “Allies stand together to defend our freedom and values”.
“I wish him a speedy recovery and my thoughts are with those affected. I condemn this attack. Political violence has no place in our democracies. NATO Allies stand together to defend our freedom & values.”
Trump has thanked his supporters for their “thoughts and prayers” in his second public comments since the attempt on his life yesterday.
“It was God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening. We will FEAR NOT, but instead remain resilient in our Faith and Defiant in the face of Wickedness,” the former president wrote in a post on Truth Social.
“We pray for the recovery of those who were wounded, and hold in our hearts the memory of the citizen who was so horribly killed,” he said, adding that it was more important now than ever “that we stand United”.
“I truly love our Country, and love you all, and look forward to speaking to our Great Nation this week from Wisconsin.”