The President of South Africa has cracked the whip today after Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies Ms. Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams broke the lockdown protocol and chose to visit a friend for lunch.
Ramaphosa has said that she did violate the regulations and the law should take its course. The punishment has been given and she will receive “special leave” for two months, one month of which will not be paid.
The breach of lockdown was extremely dangerous, she put her own life at risk and also those sitting at the table. As a government minister, she should be leading by example – The front runner of showing the nation how to properly follow the rules.
The President said in a video that he follows the strict lockdown rules, even as President he will carry out his daily duties and then immediately go home and this is where he will stay for the rest of the day.

Apology to the nation
Ndabeni-Abrahams gave an apology to the nation after she broke the rules of the lockdown, the President has said that he accepts the apology but is “unmoved by mitigating factors she tendered”
“The nation-wide lockdown calls for absolute compliance on the part of all South Africans. Members of the National Executive carry a special responsibility in setting an example to South Africans, who are having to make great sacrifices.
“None of us – not least a member of the National Executive – should undermine our national effort to save lives in this very serious situation. I am satisfied that Minister Ndabeni-Abrahams appreciates the seriousness of what she has done and that no-one is above the law.” said President Ramaphosa
What others are saying
Why is she not arrested? She broke the law. #stellandabeni pic.twitter.com/WQ8gp4nPU0
— Sibusiso Ndwandwe (@Mr_NDW) April 8, 2020
Retweet if you believe #stellandabeni 2 month unpaid suspension came as a result of Citizens raising their anger on social media pic.twitter.com/MOjacZxBoo
— Great Zulu? (@SuperiorZulu) April 8, 2020
#stellandabeni deserves a special cell not a special leave. This government is inconsistent. pic.twitter.com/Bk66IrmRES
— Sonwabile Spayidile (@sosospay) April 8, 2020