Deputy mayor in hot water over ‘COVID-19 funeral’ comments

Deputy mayor of Alfred Nzo district municipality Polelo Mohale has angered community members by claiming Matatiele will have its first COVID-19 funeral this week.

Deputy Mayor misinforms public while delivering water tanks

Mohale may face further consequences for his comments given that anybody found to be creating or spreading fake news about COVID-19 is liable for prosecution under the terms of the Disaster Management Act.

The deputy mayor made his statements as he took part in the delivery of water tanks to communities in his municipality in the Eastern Cape.

Matatiele’s first COVID-19 funeral is ‘fake news’

Mohale was interviewed by local news media, and the clip has been placed on video-sharing platform YouTube.

“In one of the interviews we conducted, we said people of Matatiele are all over the country.

“Of the two people who died at St Augustine Hospital (Durban), one of them is from Matatiele in ward 18. We encourage people to stay indoors because that person’s corpse will be accompanied by two or three people. 

“We do not say they are sick, but we are saying this thing takes up to 10 days to show in one’s body, but from the second day one can infect people,” he said.

Shunned by the community in their time of mourning

It has been reported that members of the community have shunned a family who suffered a loss recently, but the deceased did not have COVID-19.

“According to the doctor their loved one died of natural causes. The worst part, neighbours stayed away from them as they feared for their lives as well. However, they will speak to the media after the burial as they also intend to open a case against the deputy mayor,” a family friend told the Sowetan. 

Sixolile Mehlomakhulu said there were currently no confirmed cases of the COVID-19 in the Alfred Nzo District.

“The district is investigating these allegations so as to make an informed decision. I was supposed to have a meeting with him today but he indicated that he is not feeling well,” Mehlomakhulu said.

As of 15 April, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in South Africa stands at 2,506 with 34 deaths attributed to the virus. The number of tests conducted to date is 90 515.

Members of the public can report fake news or misleading posts through the Real411 website: www.real411.org or the Whatsapp line 067 966 4015.