Yesterday, minister in the presidency Jackson Mthembu was laid to rest.
Described as a brave soldier in the fight against Covid-19 and one of the finest leaders of our time, Mthembu’s passing last week shocked the nation.
His family, his comrades in the ANC, opposition parties as well as the media all spoke of a man whose humility was a trademark, one whose love for this nation and its people knew no bounds.
Mthembu was the first cabinet minister to die from Covid-19-related complications.
His death comes at a time when our country is battling the second wave of the pandemic, which has resulted in record numbers of daily infections and more severe symptoms that have placed our health-care system under extreme pressure.
It also comes at a time when the government’s communication strategy must not only be agile but also be backed up by exemplary behaviour from leaders.
At Mthembu’s funeral yesterday, Mpumalanga premier Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane failed this test.
She was caught on camera on at least two occasions not wearing a mask.
In the first instance the camera showed Mtsweni-Tsipane walking back from the stage to sit with other mourners with no mask on until she was signalled to put it on.
Later, the premier was again caught on camera not wearing a mask while laughing and greeting people at the cemetery.
In December, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that masks must be worn at all times in public and that not doing so would be illegal.
This was one of the Covid-19 government regulations which, if broken, could see people arrested, fined or even facing jail time.
The regulations were necessitated by the gravity of the current pandemic and the need to ensure stricter adherence to all health protocols.
Yesterday, in full view of the nation, Mtsweni-Tsipane brazenly undermined this regulation, even if momentarily.
We therefore see no reason why she should not be held accountable.
Her behaviour was not only reckless as far as public health is concerned, it also undermined the integrity of the government’s message in the eyes of the public.
She too must face the music.
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