South Africa's embattled communications minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams has paid a R1,000 admission-of-guilt fine after being charged with contravening the Disaster Management Act, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said on Wednesday.
President Cyril Ramaphosa earlier this month placed Ndabeni-Abrahams on special leave for two months, one of them unpaid, after a photo circulated on social media showing her having lunch with friends despite a national lockdown aimed at curbing new transmissions of the COVID-19 coronavirus.
“Ndabeni-Abrahams was charged with contravention of Regulation 11 B of the Disaster Management Act and was served with a summons to appear in the Pretoria District Court on 22 May 2020, with an admission of guilt fine of R1,000 set,” NPA spokesperson for Gauteng province Phindi Mjonondwane said.
The fine was determined by the senior magistrate for the magisterial district of Tshwane, where a R1,000 penalty has been set for the offence of failing to confine oneself to a place of residence.
“The state alleged that on 5 April 2020, Ndabeni-Abrahams unlawfully and intentionally failed to remain confined in her place of residence by visiting Mr Mduduzi Manana's place of residence. The investigations revealed that the visit was not for purposes of rendering essential service or obtaining essential goods, collecting a grant or seeking medical attention as per requirements of the COVID-19 regulations,” said Mjonondwane.
South Africans expressed shock and disappointment over Ndabeni-Abrahams' apparent violation of the stringent lockdown regulations aimed at curtailing the spread of the virus.
“As to allegations that the minister violated the lockdown regulations, the law should take its course,” the Presidency said in a statement at the time.
Former deputy minister of higher education Mduduzi Manana shared a photograph on Instagram in which he and Ndabeni-Abrahams, whom he described as a friend, sat at a table with several other people having a meal at his home.
Meanwhile, the Taxi Organisation SANTACO took to Twitter on Wednesday to express their concern as to why penalties seemed to be different for some.
Taxis impounded for breaking lockdown regulations are fined at least R3000. Reportedly Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams paid R1000 fine for admission of guilt in contravening the same regulations. It would really be nice to know the difference, where are we missing it?
— SANTACO (@SA_Taxis) April 22, 2020
