The African Transformation Movement has filed criminal charges against Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula for violating lockdown regulations.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the party announced it would be taking Mbalula on over addressing a huge crowd during a lockdown:
"On the 1st of April, Mbalula addressed a massive crowd at Noord Taxi Rank in Johanessburg. The lockdown regulations at the time prohibited crowds of more than 100 and were later revised to no more than 50. Media reports supported by visuals estimated the crowd to exceed 300 people."
The ATM says that the crowd was put at risk for the sake of hearing the minister speak, commenting that:
"The multitudes of people were standing shoulder-to-shoulder violating physical distancing and putting their lives at risk whilst listening to the minister.
 |
| Covid-19: Fikile Mbalula Facing Criminal Charges For Flouting Lockdown Laws |
Even more concerning was that the minister himself, for a considerable part of his address, together with some of the government officials also set a bad example by violating physical distancing in full view of millions of television viewers."
The party called on both President Cyril Ramaphosa and Police Minister Bheki Cele to take Mbalula on for the incident:
"ATM is calling on President Cyril Ramaphosa to act decisively on this transgression by Minister Mbalula whilst the justice system is slowly grinding. The law must apply equally to all the citizens of South Africa without fear or favour, and we call on Minister Cele to also give this matter his urgent attention."
Briefly.co.za reported that Mbalula had taken Somizi on after the celeb had claimed the minister had filled him in on the lockdown extension before the announcement was made by Ramaphosa.
In an ironic twist, it seems as if the popular minister is now facing his own charges relating to lockdown crimes.
Source: Briefly.co.za
Briefly.co.za reported that Mbalula had taken Somizi on after the celeb had claimed the minister had filled him in on the lockdown extension before the announcement was made by Ramaphosa.
In an ironic twist, it seems as if the popular minister is now facing his own charges relating to lockdown crimes.
Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula is at Noord taxi rank. During the lockdown period, all minibus and midi-bus taxi vehicles are permitted to load their maximum 100% passenger loading capacity, provided that all passengers wear masks. #Day6OfLockdown #Covid_19SA #DStv403 pic.twitter.com/zK7MOHvwSH— eNCA (@eNCA) April 1, 2020
Source: Briefly.co.za
