Water minister criticised after video shows her swearing at disabled resident at Loerie meeting

Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina faced renewed criticism after a video circulated showing her apparently swearing at a disabled resident during a community meeting in Loerie, Kouga Municipality.

What happened at the meeting

The meeting, held after the launch of an upgraded sewer pump station, turned chaotic when a resident who was being escorted out of the venue reportedly swore at the minister. The video shows Majodina telling the man to leave and repeating the insult directed at her.

Official reaction and eyewitness account

Kouga municipality administrator Kyle Minnaar, who attended the gathering, said the minister had “chased a disabled member of Loerie out of the hall and called him ‘jou ma se p*es’.”

Minnaar told broadcaster eNCA that the incident followed a Q&A session in which a resident being removed disagreed with another attendee. He said the resident may have spoken out of turn but that this did not justify the minister’s response.

“It’s disappointing to see a minister act in such a fashion, disrespecting a member of the community but also the entire community,” Minnaar said.

Political context and divided reactions

Minnaar also said Majodina had campaigned for the ANC at the meeting while attending in her official capacity, and described her conduct as an abuse of power and unacceptable behaviour from a Cabinet minister.

Online reaction to the Loerie incident was divided. The article quoted a Facebook user, Lux Mbundwini, who said: “I am not ANC, but disabled or not, if uyageza, uyageza phuma phandle (if you are being disrespectful, you’re being disrespectful [and] you should be escorted out). Being disabled does not give you a free pass,” he said.

Municipality statement and follow-up

Kouga Local Municipality issued a statement the same day focusing on the official launch of the upgraded Loerie Sewer Pump Station and a new rising main, and did not mention the confrontation. The statement noted the launch was part of addressing recurring pump failures and described the mayor and minister as engaging directly with residents at a subsequent public meeting.

Previous controversies

The article notes that this is not the first time Majodina’s conduct has drawn criticism. It says she previously faced backlash for performing a “Rain Watcher” song at a summit and for singing a water song during a visit to Ethiopia.

Requests for comment

According to The Citizen, The Citizen has reached out to the minister’s spokesperson and the municipality for comment on the incident. Their response will be included once received.