AfriForum in South Africa demands Minister Pemmy Majodina’s dismissal after altercation
In Lory, South Africa, the AfriForum organization is demanding the dismissal of Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina following a verbal altercation with a local resident during a community meeting on water shortages. TimesLIVE reports on the incident.
Altercation at a community meeting
Chaos broke out in the hall during a question-and-answer session. A resident was escorted from the premises after shouting a crude Afrikaans insult at the minister. In response, Majodina, according to the publication, shouted: “Phuma! Jou ma se ook!”. The source translates this phrase into English as: “Get out! Your mother’s too!”.
AfriForum called the minister’s conduct unacceptable and directly contrary to the executive ethics code. The organization urged lawmakers to file a formal complaint with the public protector so that Majodina’s actions could be formally investigated.
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Statements by opposition parties
AfriForum environmental manager Lambert de Klerk said that, under any circumstances, the minister should have respectfully listened to objections from community members. In his view, such a reaction shows that Majodina is not fit for the position of minister.
The Democratic Alliance also condemned her conduct and promised to lodge a complaint with the Joint Parliamentary Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests. The party’s parliamentary caucus leader, George Michalakis, said that ministers must behave with dignity, respect and responsibility, and that, in his view, Majodina should be punished by the president.
The Economic Freedom Fighters party also expressed outrage. Its spokesperson, Sinawo Tambo, said it is unacceptable for government representatives to insult citizens who voice dissatisfaction with slow service delivery, corruption and the absence of government.
