A well-known government minister and several prominent members of the SA Football Association (Safa) national executive committee (NEC) are in self-imposed isolation.
They’ve been in contact with the president of Netball South Africa, Cecilia Molokwane, who publicly announced on Monday that she tested positive for the highly contagious coronavirus.
The news was revealed by Safa spokesman Dominic Chimhavi when asked about the allegations that one of the Safa officials interacted with Molokwane in Seshego township, Limpopo, two weeks ago after a soccer tournament that was organised by a well-known ANC MP.
“The person you are talking about was not on an official Safa assignment so I can’t comment on that. What I can confirm is that many Safa NEC members are in self-isolation after our meeting with the minister and his senior staff members.
“We have learnt the minister and his staff members have since gone into self-isolation too.
I hope that even the journalists who attended that meeting have also gone into isolation,” he said.
Chimhavi said that they contacted their medical team to test them but they told them to wait for a 14-day period.
“They will all get tested and remain in self-isolation until the results are back.”
Meanwhile, Sunday World learnt that the people Molokwane interacted with at the sports event have also been tested at the behest of Limpopo health MEC Poppy Ramathuba.
This include a well-known Limpopo mayor, chief whip and two MECs. A senior Limpopo
government official said the results of one MEC and the mayor have come back negative.
“We await the results of the other MEC,” said the official.
The official added that the ANC MP and government leaders who interacted with those who have been in contact with Molokwane have also been tested and are in self-isolation until their results come back early next week.
“Once the results are back, MEC Ramathuba will send the results to the Minister of Health Dr Zweli Mkhize for announcement as dictated by protocol. Ramathuba has also traced the
kids who attended the sport event organised by the ANC MP and tested all of them. We are expecting their results next week.”
The official also said Ramathuba learnt that the MP also attended a wedding in his home township aer the sports event, noting that all those who graced the ceremony will be traced for testing if the politician’s results come back positive for Covid-19.
Ramathuba said she was unable to comment on the matter.
“As per protocol, only the minister can comment on the matters that you are raising. What I can say is that we have done what is required of us and we are satisfied with the job done so far. I can only win the fight against this disease by encouraging people to stay at home, wash their hands and keep social distance.”
