Throw book at maskless premier – political parties

Political parties have called for the police to arrest Mpumalanga premier Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsibane and for President Cyril Ramaphosa to suspend her with immediate effect for not wearing a mask in public.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Mpumalanga vowed yesterday to ensure the premier did not get away with a slap on the wrist, otherwise the party would open a criminal case.

DA Mpumalanga leader Jane Sithole criticised Police Minister Bheki Cele for calling for an investigation into Mtsweni-Tsipane’s failure to wear a mask at the funeral of Minister in the Presidency Jackson Mthembu on Sunday.

She said there was no need for a probe because the premier was shown live on television breaking the law.

Mtsweni-Tsipane caused a stir when she entered the Mthembu’s funeral service and spoke on the podium without a mask. She even ignored deputy president David Mabuza, who signalled to her to wear her mask.

At the funeral, Mtsweni-Tsipane was seen frequently waving and greeting people with a wide smile, contrary to the sombre mood of mourners.

Not wearing a mask in public is illegal and a breach of the adjusted Level 3 lockdown regulations.

Anyone found guilty of not wearing mask in public faced a fine of up to R1 500.

Depending on the circumstances of the incident, a fine may be accompanied by a jail term not exceeding six months.

But the DA said Mtsweni-Tsipane,

as premier, which is equivalent to a full Cabinet minister, ought to be suspended without salary as happened to Communications and Technology Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, who also broke lockdown regulations.

Mtsweni-Tsipane, who took over as Mpumalanga premier from Mabuza after the 2019 election, embarrassed the ANC leadership when she failed to lead by example. She did this in front of ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa, Mabuza, ANC national chair, Gwede Mantashe and Speaker of the National Assembly Thandi Modise.

Mtsweni-Tsipane later posted a statement in which she apologised for not wearing the mask. Her excuse was that the mask had fallen off before she arrived at the cemetery.

However, television clips clearly show her holding her mask while swanning around at the funeral.

Congress of the People national spokesman Dennis Bloem demanded that Ramaphosa take stern action against Mtshweni-Tsipane, including suspending her.

Cele expressed concern at Mtsweni-Tsipane’s failure to wear a mask and vowed to have the matter investigated.

He said the wearing of a mask in public was non-negotiable, adding he had instructed Police Commissioner Khehla Sitole to probe Mtsweni-Tsipane’s conduct and take necessary action against her.

Sitole said: “The DA condemns the blatant double standards on display when it comes to the treatment of ordinary South Africans compared to the treatment of ANC cadres during this lockdown.”

He said Mtsweni-Tsipane must be subjected to the same treatment as any South African – she 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 is an insult to the intelligence of South Africans,” Sitole said.

ANC spokesman Pule Mabe yesterday defended Mtsweni-Tsipane, saying she had already apologised and she couldn’t have done it deliberately.

The DA condemns the blatant double standards