Mpumalanga Premier Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane will face the music for not wearing a face mask at the televised funeral of Presidency Minister Jackson Mthembu.
Social media left outraged by Mpumalanga premier
Millions of South Africans who’d tuned into Mthembu’s funeral were left perturbed by Mtsweni-Tsipane’s irresponsible showing. The premier, on multiple occasions, was seen walking about in close proximity to other funeral attendees, without a face mask covering her mouth and nose.
Nowhere else is it more imperative to protect yourself with a face mask than at funerals, a social setting that is responsible for a considerable portion of Covid-19 infections.
Even worse, Mtsweni-Tsipane displayed such carelessness at the funeral of a man who succumbed to the highly infectious respiratory virus.
Sibongile Mkani-Mpolweni, spokesperson to the Premier of Mpumalanga chats to @XoliMngambi about an investigation into why the Premier, Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane was seen without a mask at the funeral of the late Minister Jackson Mthembu.
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) January 25, 2021
Watch: https://t.co/t5wsxN0HP0 pic.twitter.com/6pNUUeRfEo
Bheki Cele promises tough action against Mtsweni-Tsipane
Spokesperson Sibongile Mkani-Mpolweni issued a lengthy apology on the premier’s behalf, explaining that the face mask she had arrived with “was damaged and the premier was oblivious of the fact that it had fallen off.”
“The premier has extended an apology to the people of Mpumalanga for that momentary lapse wherein her mask fell without her being aware or conscious of it. The premier has emphasised the importance of adhering to the Covid-19 regulations and continues to urge the people of Mpumalanga to constantly wear masks, practice social distancing, and sanitise or wash hands frequently,” she said.
This reasoning, however logical it may be, was not sufficient for Police Minister Bheki Cele. An investigation has been launched into the incident and Cele vowed to ensure that “necessary action must be taken.”
Most likely, the premier will be fined for her careless actions and nothing more will come of this misdemeanour.
“The wearing of masks in public is a non-negotiable. If South Africa wants to beat this invisible enemy which is Covid-19, we simply can’t let down our guard ,” Cele said.