Members of the Media,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I wish to welcome you to this media briefing which we have called at very short notice.
We would like to take the opportunity to express our utmost appreciation for your presence here and for joining us via our virtual and online platforms.
We have called this briefing with the purpose of addressing a matter which has been in the public domain since this past weekend, and which involves the MEC for Health Nomagugu Simelane.
Following the weekend of Saturday, 21 August 2021, photographs and videos emerged in social media which were purported to have been taken at a gathering allegedly hosted by MEC Simelane.
In the footage the MEC is portrayed in a celebratory mood alongside a number of other guests.
What is clear in both the video and the photographs is that the patrons including the MEC herself, are not wearing masks and do not appear to be practising and social distancing.
As we are all aware, with effect from 26 July 2021, His Excellency President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa placed the country under Adjusted Alert Level-3.
Further to this announcement government published Adjusted Level 3 regulations in Gazette 44895 of 25 July 2021 as amended by Gazette 44911 of 30 July 2021.
With regard to Gatherings Adjusted Alert level 3 regulations stipulate in:
36(1) Every person when attending a gathering and in order to limit exposure to COVID-19 must -
(a) wear a face mask:
(b) adhere to all health protocols;
(c) maintain a distance of at least one and a half metres from each other; and
(d) adhere to the curfew hours as provided for in regulation 33; and
(e) adhere to any other health protocols and social distancing measures as provided for in directions issued by the relevant Cabinet member after consultation with the Cabinet member responsible for health.
Regulation (4) states and I quote that:
All -
(ii) social, political and cultural gatherings and community engagements, hosted by members of Parliament, members of Provincial Legislatures, councilors, leaders of political parties, religious leaders and traditional leaders to deal with emergency matters that impact on the management, treatment and prevention of the Covid-19 pandemic, are permitted but limited to 50 persons or less for indoor venues and 100 persons or less for outdoor venues and if the venue is too small to hold the prescribed number of persons observing a distance of at least one and a half metres from each other, then not more than 50 percent of the capacity of the venue may be used, subject to strict adherence to all health protocols and social distancing measures”.
Upon receiving these reports the Premier requested a full report in this regard which has been duly submitted by the MEC.
From the report the following facts are clear:
- It is the position of the MEC that the images were taken at the venue of a surprise venue for her birthday lunch.
- The MEC also states that the event was held at a venue which was well-ventilated and which had the appropriate social distancing and, that,
- Guests were fully aware and were regularly reminded by both the MC and the MEC to adhere to the Covid-19 regulations;
- The MEC states that the meeting was attended by a maximum of 36 people at a venue meant for 200 people and therefore provided enough circulation in compliance with the regulations
With regard to the images, the MEC Simelane further states that the captured during the period when the patrons were consuming food.
I wish to state that since receiving MEC Simelane’s report, I have also had time to discuss it with the MEC.
Having looked at the facts presented to me, it is my considered view therefore as Premier of KwaZulu-Natal that as leaders we have the burden of providing ethical leadership.
Even though the circumstances that may have landed the MEC in this situation may have been beyond her control, however, the public still have expectation that we should lead them ethically. That is the burden we carry as public office bearers. This does not by any stretch of imagination imply that public office bearers and politicians are not infallible. The MEC has shown a high level of contrition and she did not go out of her way to violate Covid-19, which is a mitigation to the sanction to be detailed shortly.
I have reached the following conclusion:
The province of KwaZulu-Natal finds itself in the midst of the deadly Covid-19 pandemic which has devastated the entire economy of our country and province. As we speak we are engaged in a massive vaccination drive as we battle the effects of the Third Wave and the advent of the Delta variant of the corona virus.
At the centre of the battle against the virus is the call to the people of KwaZulu-Natal to adopt the non-pharmaceutical preventative measures. This includes Sanitising or Washing hands regularly, Social Distancing and the wearing of Masks. In addition, we are on a massing campaign to get the people of KwaZulu-Natal to vaccinate in order to help South Africa achieve the appropriate numbers to attain population immunity.
The MEC for Health has been charged with the responsibility to lead the efforts of our province in the mission to provide a better health for all.
In addition, the MEC has been given the responsibility to champion the fight against Covid-19. The MEC is therefore at the chest of the war and is expected to lead by example at all times.
The MEC deeply regrets the failure by some of the attendees, including herself, at that time, to wear masks, during this short performance during dining.
It is important that as leaders of society we are held to the highest highest standards.
South Africa is a country that prides itself as one that upholds the values of law and order.
It is particularly important that Members of the Provincial Executive lead by example especially as we battle this deadly disease.
We commend the MEC for her swift response to the matter. We also thank the MEC for her preparedness to admit her mistake and for expressing her regret that she found herself in this compromising situation.
Having considered all the facts, the MECs regret and acknowledgment we have decided on the following course of action.
1. The MEC must within 7 days issue a public apology for having been at an event where there was flouting of Covid-19 regulations.
2. The MEC has received a warning from the Premier
3. We have instructed Provincial Treasury to ensure that at the next payment cycle, 50% of the MEC’s salary is docked and paid to NGOs that fight against Covid-19 in the District where the MEC is a Champion in Amajuba District Municipality.
Once again, we wish to thank the MEC for her exemplary response to this issue and for showing remorse. Let us carry forward the battle against Covid 19 and for the attainment of a better KwaZulu-Natal.