Tsipane has now bought 1 000 masks for eMalahleni as part of his apology.
Premier Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane has once more apologised, repeating she was genuinely sorry for her own blunder at the funeral of Jackson Mthembu.
In what has now been termed #MaskGate, Tsipane was captured in video clips and photos waving at people without a mask.
She said she admits to being wrong, and has now called on the people of Mpumalanga to continue observing Covid-19 measures.
Tsipane in a statement released 25 January 2021 said she had noted media reports “revealing moments where I was walking around without a mask”.
This is the funeral of Cde Jackson Mthembu who lost his life to this dreadful virus. He who was at the forefront cajoling and encouraging society to comply with COVID-19 safety measures. Why is the Premier of MPumalanga province not wearing a mask? Where is law enforcement? pic.twitter.com/oGJeADCsNH
— @lupingcayisa (@lupingcayisa) January 24, 2021
“I have since reflected deeply on this momentarily lapse, which I regret profusely,” writes Tsipane in a statement.
ALSO SEE: ‘I grew up in front of Jackson Mthembu’ – Refilwe Tsipane
“I wish to take this opportunity once again to 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,” she said.
“I should have known better as a public figure and more so attending a Covid-19 funeral,” admitted Tsipane.
She said she had wrote an affidavit agreeing she was guilty at the Vosman police station in eMalahleni “and where I accepted the necessary fine”.
She is charged with case number 314/01/2021 opened immediately on Sunday.
Police minister Bheki Cele this week said that they would investigate the Premier.
Tsipane had also written a letter to Ramaphosa “expressing my regret of the situation”.
ALSO SEE: Jackson Mthembu is laid to rest
“To further demonstrate my remorse, I have bought 1000 masks that will be distributed in eMalahleni as part of public education and awareness campaign to demonstrate the serious nature of COVID-19,” she said.
She sent her condolences to everyone affected by Mthembu’s death.
“I have also taken a decision to go into isolation for a period of 14 days,” the Premier said.
(edited by ZK)
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