Majodina’s conduct speaks to the social distance between the governors and the governed: Analyst

Political analyst,Professor Sam Koma, says Water and Sanitation Minister, Pemmy Majodina’s, conduct during a community engagement in the Eastern Cape speaks to the growing social distance between those in power and the people they govern.

Majodina finds herself in hot water after making derogatory remarks to a resident during a ministerial visit in Kouga, Eastern Cape.

A video of the incident has since gone viral on social media, showing Majodina exchanging words with a community member as he is escorted out of the venue by security.

It is reported that the engagement between Majodina and the resident took a turn when the minister allegedly began campaigning for the African National Congress (ANC).

ANC Minister of Water and Sanitation, Penny Majodina, violently removed a disabled resident from a community meeting for asking a tough question. She then proceeds to insult his Mother’s vagina! 🤬🤬 pic.twitter.com/WOGjL6xKVw

— Maverick (@MaxPatricius) September 10, 2026

Professor Koma says Majodina’s actions signal that some ANC public representatives are not fit to govern, let alone to hold a public office.

This comes after Johannesburg Mayor, Dada Morero, was also caught in a public spat with a resident during a government engagement.

WATCH:

“Don’t call me a criminal,” Dada Morero reprimanding a member of the public. pic.twitter.com/W31HMAwp6n

— Pule Letshwiti-Jones (@pule_jones) August 27, 2026

Koma says the ANC Integrity Commission will have to weigh in and take decisive action on such incidents.

“The citizen who was insulted by Minister Majodina may approach the South African Human Rights Commission and lodge a claim of infringement of his human dignity.”

The incident has sparked a political backlash, with both the Democratic Alliance (DA) and ActionSA lodging complaints with Parliament’s Ethics Committee. 

The two parties are also calling on President Cyril Ramaphosa to take disciplinary action against the minister, arguing that her comments were disrespectful and unbecoming of a Cabinet member.

The controversy comes just over a month before South Africans head to the polls for the 2026 Local Government Elections.

DA Member of Parliament, George Michalakis, says 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.“

“Minister Majodina must be held accountable, and she must be sanctioned by the President.“

ActionSA Member of Parliament, Malebo Kobe, says  Majodina’s conduct undermines the dignity of public office and brings Parliament into disrepute.

“The Minister’s use of vulgar and abusive language is completely at odds with the standards of conduct expected of a Member of Parliament and a member of Cabinet. Her conduct undermines the dignity of public office and brings Parliament into disrepute, breaching section 5(e) of the Ethics Code of Parliament.“

Kobe added that ministers are not above the rules and are certainly not above accountability.

Meanwhile, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has urged South Africans to punish the ANC and its public representatives at the polls in November.

The party says the ANC has far too long felt entitled to the votes of South Africans.

EFF Condemns Water And Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina For Insulting Resident In Kouga, Eastern Cape

—To make matters worse, the resident she verbally attacked appeared to be a disabled citizen, who was on crutches while being treated with indignity, disdain and lack of… pic.twitter.com/60aWhtZE3w

— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) September 11, 2026

First Dada Morero’s telling residents they are talking sh*t and now old Pemmy is insulting a disabled resident and forcefully removing him. @MYANC @CyrilRamaphosa @MbalulaFikile This is the calibre of people the ANC sees as worthy #VoetsekANC https://t.co/240NxWo1rn

— WittySonja (@smart_chickSA) September 10, 2026

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s silence on Pemmy Majodina’s conduct is concerning, especially because she is yet to offer an apology for swearing at people who are rightfully frustrated by service delivery challenges.

In a normal society, she would’ve been recalled already. pic.twitter.com/FtHzSuBhzL

— Dr. Himiko (@horushimiko) September 11, 2026