South Africa’s President, Cyril Ramaphosa has suspended the country’s communications minister for two months for having lunch with a friend during a lockdown to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams would be without salary for one of the months she is expected to be on suspension.
Pictures emerged of her having lunch with one of her friends Mduduzi Manana, an African National Congress (ANC) Member of Parliament.
In the said picture the suspended minister was seen enjoying a meal with members of Mr Manana’s family.
Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams having lunch with African National Congress (ANC) Member of Parliament Mduduzi Manana despite the national lockdown pic.twitter.com/vFxryeJQLN
— OceanWalz (@oceanwalz) April 7, 2020
Ndabeni-Abrahams has apologised for her action which the President considered a violation of the lockdown rules for people to stay indoor.
The minister said she was “deeply sorry” for her actions adding “I hope the president and South Africans will find it in their hearts to forgive me.”
Ramaphosa takes action
But President Ramaphosa said “The nation-wide lockdown calls for absolute compliance on the part of all South Africans. Members of the National Executive carry a special responsibility in setting an example to South Africans, who are having to make great sacrifices.”
He adds that “None of us – not least a member of the National Executive – should undermine our national effort to save lives in this very serious situation.
I am satisfied that Minister Ndabeni-Abrahams appreciates the seriousness of what she has done and that no-one is above the law.”
#COVID19 | PRESIDENT CENSURES MINISTER STELLA NDABENI-ABRAHAMS FOR LOCKDOWN LUNCH
President @CyrilRamaphosa has placed Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies Ms Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams on special leave for two months – one month of which will be unpaid.
— Presidency | South Africa ?? (@PresidencyZA) April 8, 2020
South Africa as a single country in Africa has the highest number of coronavirus cases which stands at 1,749 with 13 deaths.
COVID-19: South African police fire rubber bullets at shoppers
Source: Africafeeds.com
