Mantashe says he is currently in a public hospital

Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe has taken to Twitter to let all know that he is been treated in a public hospital.

This was after the social media questioned if ministers like him were treated in a public or private hospital after the minister in the Presidency Jackson Mthembu announced that Mantashe and his wife Nolwande tested positive for COVID-19.

Mantashe took to Twitter on Wednesday afternoon making it clear that he is recovering from COVID-19 in a public hospital.

“I have been admitted at a public hospital for medical attention [and] monitoring,” he said.

“I am doing well. Thanks to the healthcare workers. Thanks [for] your messages of support for my family [and] all persons who have been infected [and] affected by this virus,” he added.

This were the reactions from social media users before Mantashe cleared the air

“Mantashe and Thulas Nxesi are in private hospitals while south Africans sleep on the floor in their own countries,” said one user.

Another user requested that the ministers should be hospitalised in public hospitals provided for black people. “Can the politicians falling sick as a result of contracting COVID-19 be taken to the public hospitals they provide for black people? Can Gwede Mantashe and Thulas Nxesi be taken to Baragwanath Hospital, Tembisa Hospital, Mthatha General Hospital [or] Khayelitsha hospital?”

Another said ministers should be treated like every other South African, without any special treatment.

“Gwede Mantashe and Thulas Nxesi must go to public hospitals just like all of us, they must not be treated special. They must not send people to hospitals which they won’t go to themselves.”

Another asked for a selfie saying: “We wish you a speedy recovery Minister, no matter which hospital you at. Your health first and politics after. Having said that, send us a selfie in the mean time.”