EFF statement on Premiers’ placing their faces on sanitisers distributed to combat Covid-19

9 April 2020

The EFF condemns, with contempt, Premiers who are putting pictures of their faces on the sanitizers distributed by government to the public. This is a direct abuse of power, tax payer's money and outright populism. Above all, it is a desperate and shameful use of the Covid-19 pandemic for popularity.

These populist Premiers David Makhura (Gauteng), Sefora Ntombela (Free State), Job Mokgoro (North West) and Refilwe Mtsweni Tsipane (Mpumalanga) are clearly using the tax payers money to engage in self-worship and must be seen for who they are. By putting their faces on the sanitizers that they distribute on behalf of government they are essentially campaigning for their political party and themselves. They do this cheap political scoring during a difficult time of vulnerability to Covid-19 that we are faced with as a nation.

We call on the President Cyril Ramaphosa to condemn and reign on these attention seekers and put this nonsensical behaviour to halt. These Premiers must not be allowed to traumatize our people with their differently looking faces. Our people do not deserve such disrespect and abuse of office by these nasal gazers who pose as public representatives.

The Covid-19 pandemic is not a time for individuals to make messiahs of themselves. It is not a time for ridiculous acts of selfishness and glory seeking. We call on public representatives to practice decency, humanity and focus on protecting our people.

Issued by Vuyani Pambo, National Spokesperson, EFF, 9 April 2020