Police Minister Bheki Cele has called for an investigation into the conduct of Mpumalanga Premier Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane at the funeral of late Minister in the Presidency Jackson Mthembu in Emalahleni in Mpumalanga on Sunday.

The premier has drawn public criticism after she was seen without a face mask at the funeral.

All funeral attendants are required to adhere to strict health protocols including social distancing and wearing face masks, as funerals have been identified as super-spreaders of the coronavirus.

She has since apologised for her conduct however Cele has raised concern over the incident.

Spokesperson for the Police Ministry Lirandzu Themba says, “Minister Cele says the wearing of masks in public, is non-negotiable. The minister has spoken to the National Commissioner of the SAPS to look into this matter and conduct an investigation and necessary action must be taken. General Cele would like to remind all South Africans that the wearing of a mask in public is mandatory for every person. Any person who fails to comply with a verbal instruction by a law enforcement officer, to wear a mask, commits an offence, and is, upon conviction, liable to a fine or a period of imprisonment, not exceeding six months or both.”

Below is the premier’s apology:

 Mtshweni-Tsipane welcomes guests at the funeral: