The Minister of Police, General Bheki Cele says police will investigate about the conduct of Premier, Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane who was not wearing a mask in public during the late Minister Jackson Mthembu’s funeral proceedings.
“If South Africa wants to beat this invisible enemy which is COVID-19, we simply can’t let down our guard down. This is why I have spoken to the National Commisioner of the South African Police Service, General Khehla Sitole to look into the matter of the Premier and an investigation must be conducted and necessary action must be taken,” said Gen Cele.
READ: Tributes pour in after the passing of Jackson Mthembu
Yesterday, the Premier’s spokesperson, Sibongile Mkani-Mpolweni issued an apology statement for her conduct. The statement read “the Premier’s mask was somehow damaged and and she was oblivious of when it fell. She thought it was intact as it was the case throughout. The Premier’s aides promptly sought a replacement mask which the Premier utilised for the rest of the proceedings.”
The police ministry statement further stated that 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.
