The President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency Cyril Matamela Ramaphosa had to flee an ANC event on Thursday over covid-19 concerns.
ANCWL deputy president Sisi Ntombela, who was the programme director, said individuals who had gained access to the venue without being adequately screened had posed a grave security risk.
“Given the recent events that have befallen our country [the burning of Parliament and the attack on the Constitutional Court precinct], we cannot take risks with the life of the president.”
Ntombela added Covid-19 regulations were also not followed as social distancing was not being adhered to.
“Women, as I earlier indicated, we need to respect ourselves because if we don’t, no one will. It’s too late to do the screening process again and try and adhere to social distancing.”
Meanwhile, State Security Minister Zizi Kodwa said that the African National Congress (ANC) president would continue with all activities around the party’s 110th celebrations despite the cancellation of the Lilian Ngoyi Memorial Lecture on Thursday amid concerns that the event did not comply with COVID-19 safety regulations.
Kodwa denied that there was a security threat after Cyril Ramaphosa was whisked away moments after he arrived at the Lebowakgomo Civic Centre, adding that the ANC president would deliver the 8 January statement on Saturday as planned.
ANC leaders are in Limpopo where they have engaged community leaders and party structures.
Kodwa said that despite concerning events, such as the fire at Parliament and the attack on the Constitutional Court, there was no security threat around the president, who is in Limpopo for the ANC’s 110th birthday celebrations.
