by Lindiwe Mabena | Feb 9, 2021
Backlash continues over the breaking of COVID-19 regulations by patrons of a liquor outlet in East London, in the Eastern Cape.
Over the weekend, a video showing most of the revellers not wearing masks and not observing social distancing went viral on social media.
Buccaneers Bar and Restaurant also exceeded the stipulated venue capacity under level 3 lockdown.
According to the regulation, indoor gatherings may not exceed 50% of the venue capacity.
The Eastern Cape Liquor Board (ECLB) has condemned this and went with the police to verify the incident.
The organisation says the bar manager admitted guilt and was fined R5 000.
The board says it will continue working with SAPS to monitor and enforce compliance with COVID-19 19 regulations and trading conditions.
The Buffalo City Municipality has also slammed the breaking of the COVID-19 rules at the bar.
It’s urged businesses to put lives over profits and the liquor license regulators to take action against businesses that are breaking the law.
by Lindiwe Mabena | Jan 26, 2021
The Premier of Mpumalanga has issued a second apology for temporarily walking around without a mask at Minister in the Presidency Jackson Mthembu’s funeral in Emalahleni over the weekend.
Premier Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane says she has also deposited a statement of guilt at the Vosman Police Station and has accepted the necessary fine.
“I have since reflected deeply on this momentarily lapse, which I regret profusely. I wish to take this opportunity once again apologise to His Excellency, President Cyril Ramaphosa, the Deputy President of the Republic Mr David Mabuza, the Mthembu family, the people of Mpumalanga and the rest of the country. I should have known better as a public figure and more so attending a Covid-19 funeral,” she says.
The Premier had initially claimed not to have realised that her mask had fallen off.
As a sign of remorse, Mtsweni-Tsipane says she has also bought 1 000 masks that will be distributed in Emalahleni as part of public education and awareness campaign to demonstrate the serious nature of COVID-19.
“I have also taken a decision to go into isolation for a period of 14 days,” she says.
Some South Africans, however, believe harsher action is needed.
The Premier’s spokesperson has also taken some heat from the saga.
South Africans are angry that she went on news platforms to defend the maskless Premier who was seen hugging a police officer at the funeral.
