'She must be fired': Mzansi responds as Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams scores a criminal record

23 April 2020 - 09:53 By Cebelihle Bhengu
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Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams was put on special leave by President Cyril Ramaphosa after the publication of a picture that showed her visiting a friend during the national lockdown.
Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams was put on special leave by President Cyril Ramaphosa after the publication of a picture that showed her visiting a friend during the national lockdown.
Image: Gallo Images/Jeffrey Abrahams

Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams should be fired or fall on her sword, say many South Africans. 

The communications, telecommunications and postal services minister violated the rules of the lockdown by visiting ANC NEC member and former higher education deputy minister Mduduzi Manana at his private residence two weeks ago.

On Tuesday, she was charged with contravention of regulation 11B of the Disaster Management Act and was served with a summons to appear in the Pretoria district court next month.

The National Prosecuting Authority's Phindi Mjonondwane said the investigation revealed that Ndabeni-Abrahams was not at Manana's residence to pick up essential items, as previously stated by Manana in a statement.

DA shadow communications minister Phumzile Van Damme welcomed the admission of guilt fine, but maintained the party's view that the minister should have been fired.

“We are still of the opinion that President Cyril Ramaphosa's sanction of two months' special leave with one month unpaid is not enough. The law applies to all equally and we trust that this will be the beginning of holding politicians to account for criminal acts, even after the lockdown has been lifted,” she wrote in a statement.

The EFF, having opened a case against Ndabeni-Abrahams at the Douglasdale police station in Sandton two weeks ago, said it was satisfied with the outcome.

On social media, many are concerned that Ndabeni-Abrahams will continue to serve in President Ramaphosa's cabinet with a criminal record. Here's a glimpse at the some of the views: 


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