The Democratic Alliance in the Eastern Cape said it laid criminal charges against the Speaker of the Inquza Hills Local Municipality for allegedly breaking lockdown regulations.
DA MP, Mlindi Nhanha said in a statement on Monday that this followed after a video emerged in which church ministers and local politicians, including Councillor Ntandokazi Capa and former mayor and church minister, Pat Mdingi, were seen entering the municipal auditorium in Flagstaff to attend a Good Friday church service.
“None of those in attendance, were wearing protective gear such as masks and gloves and no social distancing was being practised,” Nhanha said.
“Government regulations regarding the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic are categorically clear that only funerals of no more than 50 people are allowed. Social gatherings including church gatherings are forbidden,” he added.
Nhanha said that these reckless actions undermine the national efforts to fight the Covid-19 pandemic and flatten the curve of infection, and also place staff members in real danger of contracting the virus and exposing their families.
He also called on the Eastern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Xolile Nqatha, to take a swift and decisive action against councillors involved and “institute an urgent investigation to establish who authorized this blatant disregard of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s orders.”
