Minister of Communications Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams is in hot water after it was revealed that she had violated the lockdown by visiting former deputy minister Mduduzi Manana. Manana posted an Instagram photo of Ndabeni-Abrahams having lunch at his home over the weekend. President Cyril Ramaphosa has summoned the minister to explain herself.

Ramaphosa says government is “trying to instil a clear message that social distance is important”. ANC secretary-general Jessie Duarte has called out both the minister and Manana for their actions. DA MP Phumzile Van Damme said she hopes the President takes strong action against her.

The Mduduzi Manana Foundation has claimed in a statement that Ndabeni Abrahams was visiting the Manana home to collect supplies of gloves, masks and sanitisers and was not simply having lunch with the family.

Manana’s Foundation claims the family was having lunch and courteously asked the Minister to join them after she arrived to pick up the items. Attempts to reach Manana directly for comment have been unsuccessful.

VOC/SABC