Johannesburg – Pressure is mounting on authorities to take swift action against Mpumalanga premier, Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane who was seen on TV not wearing a mask in public.
The premier was one of the dignitaries attending the funeral of minister in the presidency, Jackson Mthembu, who succumbed to Covid-19.
Mtsweni-Tsipane said she was not aware that her mask had fallen, an excuse that has drawn the rebuke of South Africans on social media.
Have you read: Jackson – communicator, mentor par excellence
The minister of police, Bheki Cele, in a statement, said the premier will be investigated.
“If South Africa wants to beat this invisible enemy which is COVID-19, we simply can’t let our guard down. This is why I have spoken to the National Commissioner of the South African Police Service, General Khehla Sitole to look into the matter of the Premier and an investigation must be conducted and necessary action must be taken,” Cele said.
Many ordinary South Africans have been arrested and fines for not wearing a mask in public spaces.
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According to level 3 lockdown regulations currently in place, it is mandatory to wear a mask at all times while in public. Failure to do so could result in an arrest or fine imposed on offenders.
Take a look at some of the reactions from Twitter below:
#PoliceMinistry The Minister of Police, General #BhekiCele calls for an investigation into the alleged conduct of Mpumalanga Premier, Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane who was seen on National TV, not wearing a mask in public. MLhttps://t.co/8Xsb95nQvR pic.twitter.com/inZwjsF2gF
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) January 24, 2021
Tommorow morning I'll be opening a charge against Premier of mpumalanga Refilwe mtsweni Tsipane for breaking the law , Disaster management act of 2002…. pic.twitter.com/9slnY9Swmo
— Doctor ka valdo (@DoctorValdo) January 24, 2021
Premier Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane delivers the welcoming remarks during the Official Service for Minister Jackson Mthembu #RIPJacksonMthembu pic.twitter.com/Y0IAfXgEko
— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) January 24, 2021
Mpumalanga Premier, Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane not wearing a mask at the late Jackson Mthembu’s funeral. Was Bheki Cele not at the funeral to arrest her? pic.twitter.com/0IfFPD8bDW
— m a s h è s h a 💨 (@_mashesha) January 24, 2021
https://twitter.com/mo_art_mo/status/1353419858529013761?s=20
https://twitter.com/MulugisiM/status/1353390942754136064?s=20
https://twitter.com/SizweDhlomo/status/1353279312070381568?s=20
Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane Premier of Mpumalanga. No Mask 😷 No Social distancing- throwing hug’s around 🤨😠.. it will end in tears #JacksonMthembuFuneral pic.twitter.com/ugSYxxoQ4W
— Smiling Assassin 🥷🏽 (@LwandleMkh_) January 24, 2021
Watch the space when Mpumalanga Premier, Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane get rewarded with a higher position in government
— Honorary Oga (@donno5_) January 24, 2021
So Premier Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane failed to follow a simple rule
Wearing of mask at public place pic.twitter.com/IbbKco1lvp
— Generational wealth 💰💴💵 (@molamu_moima) January 24, 2021
Never mind the obligatory fine that she must pay, thanks to the taxpayers footing her massive salary, President @CyrilRamaphosa @ANCMPUMALANGA must ensure that MP Premier Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane is removed from her position.
She couldn’t have chosen a worst moment to break laws.
— Tebogo Khaas (@tebogokhaas) January 24, 2021
Have you read: Tributes stream in for Jackson Mthembu
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