Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, has conveyed an apology to President Cyril Ramaphosa, the National Command Centre and the South African society at large for breaching lockdown rules put in place to curb the spread of COVID-19.
President Ramaphosa and Minister Ndabeni-Abrahams met on Tuesday after a photo was circulated on social media showing the Minister at the home of Mduduzi Manana during the lockdown and social distancing period.
Herewith Minister @Stellarated ‘s formal apology for breaching #LockdownSA rules. The Minister is deeply disappointed in herself and extends her apology to all South Africans. #Covid19inSA #stellandabeni #LockdownMzansi
Statement below: pic.twitter.com/6ThYACpvga
— Dpt of Communications & Digital Technologies (@CommsZA) April 8, 2020
“I regret the incident and I am deeply sorry for my actions. I hope the President and South Africans will find it in their hearts to forgive me,” said Ndabeni-Abrahams.
She has added, “The President has put me on special leave with immediate effect. I undertake to abide by the conditions of the special leave. I wish to use this opportunity to reiterate the President’s call for all of us to observe the lockdown rules. They are a necessary intervention to curb the spread of a virus that has devastated many nations.”
Ndabeni-Abrahams apologises for her actions:
Ms Khusela Diko, Spokesperson of President Ramaphosa on Minister Stella Ndabeni’s censuring by the President pic.twitter.com/gT2ZEuBqoM
— Presidency | South Africa ?? (@PresidencyZA) April 8, 2020
Reactions from political parties
EFF National Spokesperson @vuyanipambo at Douglasdale Police Station laying criminal charges against Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams and Mduduzi Manana for breaching lockdown regulations as stipulated by government. pic.twitter.com/RxRrxiUtqs
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) April 8, 2020
President Ramaphosa must address the nation together with the Minister of Police and National Police Commissioner to assure the nation that SAPS will act against Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams.
Stella must face the full might of the law like any other citizen. https://t.co/rMCiGl1m8I
— Democratic Alliance (@Our_DA) April 8, 2020
