Pemmy Majodina Exchanges Profanities With Resident During Heated Community Meeting, SA Weighs In
- Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina is in hot water after she was filmed exchanging profanities with a community member
- The incident happened at a community meeting in Kouga on 10 September 2026, while the resident was being escorted out of the hall
- South Africans took to social media to weigh in on the incident, with some comparing it to Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero's incident
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Source: Getty Images
Byron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He worked as a newspaper journalist for 10 years before transitioning to online.
EASTERN CAPE — Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina became embroiled in a public profanity exchange with a community member during an official visit to Kouga on 10 September 2026, leaving residents and municipal officials shaken.
The incident occurred at what was intended to be a dual-purpose event: the launch of an upgraded pump station followed by a government community engagement session.
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What happened at the Kouga meeting?
According to Kyle Minnaar, an administrator in the Kouga Municipality who spoke to eNCA, the day deteriorated quickly once the floor was opened to the public.
During the question-and-answer portion of the engagement, a resident began speaking out of turn, prompting Majodina to request that he be removed from the hall. As the man was being escorted out, he directed the Afrikaans expletive "jou ma se ..." at the minister. Majodina responded in kind, saying "Phuma! Jou ma se ... ook."
Minnaar acknowledged that the resident may have been out of line, but said that 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.
You can watch the clip here.
Social media draws comparison to Dada Morero
The incident drew immediate comparisons online to Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero, who faced similar backlash in late August 2026. Morero was in hot water for using profane language toward a resident during a community meeting in Tshepisong over electricity outages. Morero issued a public apology the same day. The African National Congress Greater Johannesburg Region condemned Morero's behaviour.
Moraka Mehale wrote:
"It was Dada Morero, now this one."
Terry Moshime commented:
"Lol, the year of decisive swearing."
Nosiphiwo Ndibaza added:
"Dada Moreroism"
Steven Gooding wrote:
"All cut from the same stained cloth."
Dominique Mucki Kaspari stated:
"Typical."
At the time of publication, Minister Majodina had not issued a public statement regarding the exchange.
Cyril Ramaphosa discusses Morero's outburst
President Cyril Ramaphosa publicly criticised Morero over a swearing incident at a Tshepisong service delivery imbizo.
Morero directed profanity at a resident who accused him of being a criminal during the August community meeting
Briefly News reported that the incident drew sharp criticism from opposition parties as local election campaigning heats up.
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Source: Briefly News
