Cape Town – Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina has apologised after a video showed her swearing at a disabled resident during a community meeting in the Kouga Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape.
The incident happened on 9 September during the launch of the upgraded Loerie Sewer Pump Station and sparked widespread criticism after footage of the confrontation circulated on social media.
Majodina issued her apology on Tuesday, nearly a week after the incident, saying she had reacted after the resident allegedly swore at her while being removed from the meeting.
“In the heat of the moment, I reacted after being subjected to profane language. I take full responsibility for my conduct and deeply regret responding by using the same words directed at me,” Majodina said.
The minister was heard in the video using the vulgar phrase “jou ma se p**s” towards the resident.
Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina’s meeting with the Kouga community descended into chaos, with profanities exchanged between the minister and a community member during the launch of an upgraded pump station. Should leaders be held accountable for how they engage with… pic.twitter.com/0DZg6nE0cn
— eNCA (@eNCA) September 10, 2026
Majodina said she regretted her response and apologised to the people of Kouga and South Africans.
“I sincerely apologise to the people of Kouga and to all South Africans,” she said.
She also called on members of the public and public representatives to maintain respect during difficult engagements.
“I also appeal to members of the public that, even when engagements become difficult, or emotions run high, we must strive to maintain reciprocal respect and ensure that our interactions remain constructive,” Majodina said.
The minister said public representatives had a responsibility to remain composed even when faced with provocation.
“While public representatives are human and can, like anyone else, experience moments of frustration, this does not diminish the responsibility we carry to remain composed,” she said.
“I accept that responsibility and will continue to learn from this experience.”
Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina has apologised after telling a community member, “Phuma! Jou ma se p* o”**, during a heated engagement in Kouga in the Eastern Cape.
The exchange happened after the resident directed the same Afrikaans profanity at the minister while… pic.twitter.com/JySez2tO7E
— Salaamedia (@salaamedia) September 15, 2026
According to Kouga municipality administrator Kyle Minnaar, who witnessed the confrontation, the incident occurred during a question-and-answer session when a resident was being escorted from the venue. He told eNCA that Majodina insulted the man as he was leaving.
The Citizen reported that Majodina’s apology was directed at the people of Kouga and South Africans rather than directly to the resident involved.
According to Jacaranda FM, the incident has also drawn political criticism, with opposition parties and civil society organisations calling for action against the minister. ActionSA said it would lodge an ethics complaint, while the DA also condemned Majodina’s conduct.
The confrontation took place less than two months before South Africa’s local government elections, adding political pressure on the minister and the ANC following the viral footage.
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Compiled by Glaan Sibuyi
