South Africa
ANC speaks out against Dlamini-Zuma criticism─── 13:00 Tue, 05 May 2020
The ANC has spoken out against the criticism of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma after she announced the ban on tobacco products would continue.
Ramaphosa is backing Dlamini-Zuma after she faced backlash for announcing the continued ban on tobacco products.
The president says the decision was made collectively.
Ramaphosa had initially said tobacco would be sold during level four lockdown but that decision was later revoked.
The ANC says attacks on Dlamini-Zuma are racial and misogynistic.
ANC spokesperson Pule Mabe says singling her out is wrong as the decision was taken collectively.
“When she pronounced the decision she was doing so empowered by the Disaster Management Act and her capacity as the incumbent minister... It appeared as if she was being isolated,” Mabe said.
“The National Coronavirus Command Council is made out of various ministers... singling one on a decision of a collective is rather unfair. It smugs of racial tirade…it's rather unfair."
