JOHANNESBURG - The Democratic Alliance (DA) is lodging an ethics complaint against the Minister of Water and Sanitation, Pemmy Majodina.
This follows a profanity exchange between herself and a community member from Kouga in the Eastern Cape during the launch of an upgraded pump station.
In a statement on Thursday, the party said Majodina’s conduct must be investigated and for a sanction to be imposed by Parliament.
READ | 'Arrogance of power' | Politicians under scrutiny over public outbursts
The incident captured in a video, saw a community member who was being escorted out of the venue shouting "jou ma se ****" to Majodina, who then responded by saying "Phuma! Jou ma se **** ook."
“This behaviour brings the ANC, Parliament and government into disrepute and undermines public confidence in her. Minister Majodina must be held accountable, and she must be sanctioned by the President,” the DA said in the statement.
The party insists such conduct cannot be accepted.
“A Cabinet Minister cannot be allowed to respond to members of the public with vulgar insults simply because they are challenged or disagree with her. Ministers are entrusted with serving South Africans and must conduct themselves with dignity, respect and accountability.
When eNCA reached out to the Minister's office for a comment, they said, “Unfortunately, the Minister is not available for comments.”