Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina has issued an apology for a profane outburst at a resident during a community meeting at Loerie in the Eastern Cape last week.
Majodina lashed out at a man after he insulted her with a vulgar slur, prompting her to snap back at him using the same phrase.
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Minister Majodina visited the Kouga municipality last Wednesday to launch an upgraded sewer pump station.
The community meeting afterwards was convened for residents of the area to give feedback on completed government projects.
But a frustrated resident hurled an insult at Majodina, prompting her to respond in the same manner.
In a statement today, Majodina apologised for the outburst, saying she responded in the heat of the moment.
She said that she takes full responsibility for her conduct and deeply regrets responding by using the same words directed at her.
“I sincerely apologise to the people of Kouga and to all South Africans. I also appeal to members of the public that, even when engagements become difficult, or emotions run high, we must strive to maintain reciprocal respect and ensure that our interactions remain constructive.”
Majodina said although public representatives also experience moments of frustration, it does not diminish their responsibility to remain composed.
“I accept that responsibility and will continue to learn from this experience.”
She, however, said that communities should express concerns in a manner that enables constructive dialogue and solutions.
Majodina is facing at least two ethics complaints in Parliament for her conduct in this incident.
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Lindsay Dentlinger
www.ewn.co.za