The IFP notes the KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala’s recommendations regarding MEC for Health, Nomagugu Simelane-Zulu, who recently flouted Covid-19 regulations. Video footage, which surfaced last week, went viral and showed MEC Simelane-Zulu celebrating her birthday.
We are appalled by Premier Zikalala’s findings and recommendations, which are based on falsified information. These findings underestimate the intelligence of the people of KwaZulu-Natal.
This further brings into question whether the Premier viewed the footage in circulation, which portrays MEC Simelane-Zulu in a compromised state. It is untruthful to say that that she didn’t have mask on because she was eating. The video footage clearly shows her on the dance floor without a mask, and without observing a safe social distance.
We believe MEC Simelane-Zulu is further undermining the adjusted Level 3 Covid-19 Regulations by providing a distorted account of her side of the story. We believe that she should have been honest and remorseful. The MEC must tell the truth and apologise.
The Premier of KwaZulu-Natal has compromised himself badly with his poor – possibly misinformed – judgment. However, the Premier could still save his credibility by scrutinising the footage and making a final decision that is informed and credible.
Pictures and two of the videos show her where she is not eating. It is the time for MEC Simelane-Zulu to be honest. The MEC for Health is the face of the government in the war against the pandemic, as we battle with the third wave in KZN. She is supposed to lead by example, not contravene the very regulations that have been put in place to save lives.
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Contact:
Hon. Velenkosini F Hlabisa
Leader of the Official Opposition in KZN and President of the IFP
083 974 5783
