PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa has been escorted out of an ANC Women’s League event held at the Lebowakgomo Civic Centre in Limpopo amid security concerns and violations of Covid-19 regulations.
The president was meant to address members of the league. However, the event was cancelled indefinitely after Ramaphosa, along with Limpopo Premier Stanley Mathabatha, were escorted by security out of the event for security concerns around the safety of the ANC president, including COVID-19 violations.
ANC Women’s League secretary Meokgo Matuba said Ramaphosa left because of failure to comply with Covid-19 regulations.
Under Adjusted Level 1 restrictions, gatherings are restricted to no more than 1,000 people indoors and no more than 2,000 people outdoors.
“We sincerely apologise for what happened. We must not push the narrative that the president walked away from the event because it was due to Covid-19 regulations that he had to leave” said Matuba.
Matuba said while the numbers inside the Lebowakgomo Civic Centre were in accordance with the limit of 1‚000 people allowed indoors‚ some had gained access without being adequately screened‚ which posed a grave security risk for the president
ANCWL deputy president Sisi Ntombela 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,” said Ntombela.
Ntombela added Covid-19 regulations were also not followed as social distancing was not being adhered to.
The league has admitted that they were not in compliance with Covid19 regulations and will ensure that these protocols will be followed at the next event.
- Inside Politics
