Actions against Nomagugu Simelane doesn't 'fit the crime'
Political parties in KwaZulu-Natal have reacted to the action Premier Sihle Zikalala has taken against the Health MEC for breaking Covid-19 rules, saying the punishment doesn't go far enough.
Nomagugu Simelane and her guests were seen flouting regulations at her surprise birthday party last week Saturday.
After submitting her report of the incident to the Premier, she's been ordered to publicly apologise within seven days.
She will also lose half of her next salary.
READ: Zikalala takes steps against Health MEC for maskless party
Zikalala says the money must be given to an NGO in the Amajuba District that's helping in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
"The MEC fraudulently disregarded the regulation at her birthday party and she is supposed to be the face of the fight against Covid-19 in KwaZulu-Natal, especially now that we are in the third wave and I see thousands of new infections every day, excluding hundreds of deaths. So the Premier has completely failed, says the Democratic Alliance's KZN spokesperson on Health, Dr Rishigen Viranna.
The Economic Freedom Fighters' Vusi Khoza says there should be harsher consequences.
"We are the EFF we said she must be suspended and be removed from her position and we don't believe the sentence fits the crime."
READ: Simelane-Zulu should have stopped surprise birthday bash: SAMA
The Inkatha Freedom Party's spokesperson Ncamisile Nkwanyana shares the sentiments.
"We want to see him giving her a strong punishment for what she has done. She's the face of this province under her department.
"Why was she doing such things and get such a light punishment from the Premier? We are not happy and it's not enough, but what I can tell you is that we are very much happy because our president Velenkosini Hlabisa has taken the issue and he is going to deal with it."
