Cele calls for action after Mpumalanga Premier’s mask gaffe

24 Jan 2021 | shadley nash

Premier Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane

Mpumalanga Provincial Government

Police Minister Bheki Cele said he has called for an investigation into the conduct of Mpumalanga Premier, Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane, who was seen on television not wearing a mask.

The Premier was one of the mourners at Sunday’s funeral of the late Minister in the Presidency, Jackson Mthembu.

Her office reportedly said she apologised, adding that the Premier was without a mask for just a short time after her mask was damaged she was oblivious that it had fallen off.

Her aides promptly sought a replacement mask which she used for the rest of the proceedings.

"The Premier has extended her sincere apologies to the people of Mpumalanga and the country for that brief moment wherein her mask fell without her being aware or conscious of it," the statement said.

However, in a subsequent statement, Minister Cele said he was concerned “about the alleged conduct” of the Premier, which he said was also brought to his attention on various platforms by concerned South Africans.

“If South Africa wants to beat this invisible enemy which is COVID-19, we simply can’t let our guard down,” said Minister Cele, who added that “not wearing of masks in public, is non-negotiable.”

He said it was for this reason that he spoke to the National Commissioner of the South African Police Service, General Khehla Sitole to look into the matter and that an investigation must be conducted and necessary action taken.

Cele reminded South Africans that the wearing of a mask in public is mandatory for every person, under the adjusted alert Level 3 Lockdown regulations.