Daily Archives: January 25, 2021

A call for imminent arrest of ‘unmask’ Premier grows!

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Picture: Mpumalanga Premier, Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane/Twitter

By BAKANG MOKOTO

A call for the imminent arrest of the Mpumalanga Province Premier, Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane is growing after she was seen on the national TV walking around without wearing a mask.

This took place during the funeral procession of the late Minister in Presidency, Jackson Mthembu at Emalahleni in Mpumalanga on Sunday. Mthembu succumbed to COVID-19 related complications.  

Twitter users did not mince their words and lambasted some of politicians and government officials who continue to break the COVID-19 Lockdown regulations of being the law unto themselves.

They call on the Minister of Police, Bheki Cele to arrest Mtsweni-Tsipane for breaking Lockdown regulations. Mtsweni-Tsipane was also seen hugging a police officer without wearing a mask.

However, Mtsweni-Tsipane later released a statement apologizing to all South Africans and argued that her mask was damaged. The part of the statement reads: “The Premier notes the images circulating on social media wherein she is seen without a mask as prescribed by the state of disaster regulation aimed at combating the spread of Covid-19.

“Upon arrival at the cemetery and disembarking from her vehicle, the Premier’s mask was damaged and the Premier was oblivious of the fact that it had fallen off. The Premier was of the belief that the mask was intact as had been the case throughout the proceedings.”

However, one Twitter user, @Omilly_N said: “She can’t disrespect us like this. My uncle got arrested for not wearing a mask. She must be arrested too! Another user, @fanafr said: “#ArrestRefilweMtsweni or else erases all the criminal records of those who were arrested for not wearing a mask.”

@dollar_mashesha said: “1st it was Mduduzi Manana, then it was the current Minister of Communication, Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams. They broke the COVID-19 regulations and got away with it. The same will apply to the Premier of Mpumalanga.”

Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance (DA) shared the same sentiments. DA MPL in Mpumalanga, Jane Sithole said they call on the South African Police Service (SAPS) to arrest and fine Mtsweni-Tsipane, following her non-compliance to wear a mask.

“It is ridiculous that the Minister of Police, Bheki Cele, has now called for an investigation. Mtsweni-Tsipane’s failure to wear a mask at the funeral of the late Jackson Mthembu, was broadcasted live on national television in full view of all South Africans – there is no need for an investigation.

“Had this been an ordinary citizen, they would have already been arrested and fined, without any investigation. The DA condemns the blatant double standard that is on display when it comes to the treatment of ordinary South Africans compared to the treatment of ANC cadres during this lockdown,” Sithole said.

She further said Mtsweni-Tsipane must be subjected to the same treatment as any South African. Sithole added that Mtsweni-Tsipane should be arrested and fined R1 500, payable in her personal capacity.

“The weak excuse by the Premier’s Office that she did not notice her mask fell off (“she was oblivious of that when it fell”) is an insult to the intelligence of South Africans. We also call for Mtsweni-Tsipane to appear before the Portfolio Committees on the Premier’s Office; Finance; Economic Development and Tourism in the Mpumalanga Legislature.

“She will simply not get away with a slap on the wrist. If immediate action is not taken against the Premier, the DA will be left with no option but to open a case against her,” said Sithole.

The Minister of Police, General Bheki Cele said that not wearing masks in public, is non-negotiable. Cele said if South Africa wants to beat this invisible enemy which is COVID-19, they 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. I would like to remind all South Africans that the wearing of a mask in public is mandatory for every person, under the adjusted alert Level 3 Lockdown regulations.

“Any person who fails to comply with a verbal instruction by a law enforcement officer, to wear a mask, commits an offence, and is, upon conviction, liable to a fine or a period of imprisonment, not exceeding six months or both,” he said.

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DA calls on Ramaphosa to table a detailed vaccine acquisition plan

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(Picture SABC): Democratic Alliance members

By REGINALD KANYANE

The Democratic Alliance’s (DA) calls on the South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa to publicly table a detailed, costed and practical vaccine acquisition plan.  DA Shadow Minister of Health, Siviwe Gwarube said Ramaphosa has a constitutional obligation – as does his entire Executive – to be transparent about the vaccine acquisition and distribution plan.

“We committed to approaching the courts for relief should this not be done within seven days. Time is now officially up and should the President and his team not publicly table a detailed, costed and practical vaccine acquisition plan by day end, we will proceed with the court action.

“Approaching the courts for relief is the last resort. Despite numerous calls by the DA, civil society, and the public for the government to showcase their plan for rolling out the life-saving vaccine, this has not been done,” Gwarube said.

He further said they are now relying on the precedent that was set during the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) case of 2002 against the department of health, where the courts determined that transparency was key in matters of public health like this one.

Gwarube added that they are now in an unenviable position where South Africa is meant to receive its first batch of vaccines before the end of January.

“We are still none the wiser about when exactly this batch is due to arrive and how the allocation to the provinces will be handled for its healthcare workers. In addition to the glaring questions which remain unanswered about this process, now there is clear evidence that the Department of Health was asleep at the wheel.

“A letter from Treasury states that the DoH only applied to them for deviation from the normal procurement processes for the acquisition of the vaccine on the 7th of January 2021. This is the clearest confirmation that the Executive has been slow-footed in the process of acquiring this vaccine,” he said.

Gwarube said now the country is scrambling and being charged exorbitant fees, but still nowhere near getting the volume of vaccines that is so desperately needed. He said South Africa has no clarity on the exact timelines of the vaccination process including the acquisition, logistics, and distribution.

Meanwhile, Ramaphosa said the country will soon receive its first consignment of COVID-19 vaccines from the Serum Institute in India, which is the world’s largest vaccine producer. He said it will signal the start of a mass vaccination campaign that will be the most ambitious and extensive in our country’s history.

“It will reach all parts of the country and will be phased to ensure that those most in need are prioritised. The first vaccines to arrive will be provided to health care workers, who will be targeted in the first phase.

“The second phase will include essential workers, teachers, the elderly, and those with co-morbidities. The third phase will include other adults in the population. A comprehensive rollout strategy and an accompanying logistical framework will be implemented in partnership with the private sector, civil society, traditional leadership, the religious sector, and others,” said Ramaphosa.

He further said it is vital that this is a society-wide campaign, in which everyone is involved and no-one is left behind. Ramaphosa said a year after the novel coronavirus started spreading around the world, the arrival of the vaccine gives great hope for the country’s social and economic recovery – and, most importantly, for the health of our people.

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