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- Minister Zizi Kodwa made the statement during the memorial for the late Jackson Mthembu, which was held online via Zoom.
- He said that what made the incident all the more painful was because Mthembu had not only been a fierce advocate of adhering to Covid-19 rules and regulations, but had succumbed to the virus.
- But he added that Prime Minister Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipani’s “avoidable incident” overshadowed Mthembu’s dismissal.
Mpumalanga Prime Minister Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipani was criticized for not wearing a mask during the ANC’s Zoom memorial service for the late presiding minister Jackson Mthembu.
It was an “insult to his memory,” former ANC spokesman and Deputy Minister of State Security Zizi Kodwa said on Monday after the prime minister failed to wear a mask at his funeral on Sunday, and the incident was captured. on television and videos that made the rounds on social media.
READ | Cele wants to investigate the prime minister of Mpumalanga who was caught without a mask
“What was painful for many people in paying tribute to Comrade Jackson broadcast on all national television channels was that Comrade Jackson was not only at the forefront in defending the importance of adherence to regulations to combat Covid- 19, but also succumbed to, “he said.
“Therefore, that someone exhibited the opposite regarding the use of masks in this solemn farewell was an insult to his memory.”
Kodwa added that the news headlines after the funeral did not refer to Mthembu’s memory, but to this “avoidable incident”.
ANC Undersecretary General Jessie Duarte, who leads the ANC’s efforts to communicate on Covid-19 prevention, was equally scathing.
READ | ‘I have lost a dear friend’: Ramaphosa pays tribute to Jackson Mthembu
She did not mention names, but said:
“No matter who you are or where you are, you must wear your mask. We, as the ANC, must lead by example.”
Mtsweni-Tsipane apologized for not wearing a mask, but said it was damaged and had fallen off without her noticing.
Police Minister Bheki Cele called for an investigation into the incident.
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