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.
The Guardian 