Suspended communications and digital technologies minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams says a video shared on social media of her dancing next to a new car is “old, malicious and mischievous.”
The video, in which Ndabeni-Abrahams is seen singing and dancing next to a brand new black BMW, has angered Twitter users.
This photo & that video should be looked at together … The long suffering selfless loyalty of our #ANC members, compared to displays of conspicuous consumption & arrogance of some of our leaders is shameful. The time for self-correction, & ending this nonsense is long overdue! pic.twitter.com/83K5hj1XK4
— Carl Niehaus (@niehaus_carl) April 29, 2020
“It is malicious and mischievous to portray me as a person with no remorse and insensitively displaying opulence at the face of the poor,” says Ndabeni-Abrahams.
“I humbly call on all involved — whether in raising their opinions or circulating it — to avoid the temptation of sensationalism without first verifying the facts.”
She said the video was shot a year ago after elections.
— Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams (@Stellarated) April 30, 2020
Earlier this month, President Cyril Ramaphosa placed Ndabeni-Abrahams on special leave for two months – one month of which would be unpaid, after a photo of her having lunch with the former deputy minister of higher education Mduduzi Manana at his home during the lockdown.
She also paid admission of a guilty fine of R1,000 after being charged with contravention of regulation 11 B of the Disaster Management Act.
The minister now has a criminal record.
Talk about young people who continually victimize by media and the white supremacy in our country #stellandabeni https://t.co/QbwgdyXWKI
— Kgobokwe🇵🇸🇿🇦🇸🇿 (@KgobokweLwaziK) April 30, 2020
This is Unacceptable Behaviour From a Minister.
Especially During #LockdownSA
Say What you Must 🤷🏽♂️… #StellaNdabeni pic.twitter.com/bm0gCrrwfm— 👑King 👑💧 🇿🇦 (@KingMntungwa) April 29, 2020