Embattled Communications Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams has apologised for visiting former ANC MP Mduduzi Manana for lunch, a move that undermined President Cyril Ramaphosa’s message that people should stay home during the lockdown to curb the spread of COVID-19.
In her apology to the nation and the president, Ndabeni-Abrahams, interestingly, did not mention the reasons that Manana forwarded when explaining why she came to his home on Sunday.
Manana claimed that the minister had visited his home to collect personal protective equipment (PPEs) to deliver to students who were involved in Covid-19 digital services and apologised.
But Ramaphosa said he was “unmoved” by the reasons the minister provided for the lunch and that the law should take its course on allegations that she violated lockdown regulations.
Ndabeni-Abrahams said: “I regret the incident and I am deeply sorry for my actions. I hope the President and South Africans will find it in their hearts to forgive me.”
Ramaphosa placed Ndabeni-Abrahams on a special leave for two months, one of which ins unpaid for, saying her visit for a luncheon with Manana was contrary to lockdown regulations.
Yesterday Ramaphosa summoned Ndabeni-Abrahams to explain herself, after Manana posted on Instagram a picture of him and his family having lunch on Sunday with Ndabeni-Abrahams.
He had posted on Instagram: “It was great to host a former colleague and a sister Cde Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams (minister of Communications and Digital Technologies) on her way back from executing critical and essential services required for the effective functioning of the country during the nationwide lockdown”.
But Ramaphosa only accepted Ndabeni- Abrahams’ apology but rejected her explanation.
The president also reprimanded the minister and ordered her to apologise to the nation.
“President Cyril Ramaphosa has placed Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies Ms Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams on special leave for two months – one month of which will be unpaid. As to allegations that the Minister violated the lockdown regulations, the law should take its course,” a statement from the Presidency reads.
Ramaphosa said the lockdown called for absolute compliance and that members of his executive carried the responsibility in setting the example for the whole nation.
“None of us – not least a member of the National Executive – should undermine our national effort to save lives in this very serious situation. I am satisfied that Minister Ndabeni-Abrahams appreciates the seriousness of what she has done and that no-one is above the law,” he said.
Minister in the Presidency Jackson Mthembu will act on behalf of Ndabeni-Abrahams.
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