WATCH: Jackson Mthembu says ‘vibrator’ when he meant ‘ventilator’

Minister in the Presidency Jackson Mthembu may have earned a new nickname after making a blunder that will surely be remembered for a while.

Currently called Mjekejeke by many on social media, Mthembu may be called vibrator for some time after mentioning the word during an interview on Sunday evening.

Mthembu had a few interviews on the arrival of the Cuban doctors in South Africa and measures to be taken as the country prepares to move to level 4 of the lockdown.

In an interview with Newzroom Afrika on the risk adjustment strategy of the reopening of the economy, Mthembu spoke of Personal Protective Equipment that will be supplied to all hospitals and the issue of “vibrators” for ICU patients.

He said: “There will be a time when we will peak, but so far we have managed to buy time to attend to all the needs of our hospitals – additional beds in our hospitals, additional hospitals that we are busy with right now, including issues of Personal Protective Equipment that we are rolling out to all our hospitals, including issues of vibrators that we will need for those that will need serious attention in ICUs in our hospitals.”

Despite knowing that the minister probably meant to say ventilators, social media doesn’t seem as though it will forget the blunder easily.

EFF deputy president Floyd Shivambu commented: “Hawu Mjekejeke!! You are looking for what? Vibrators in ICU rooms? This thing of COVID-19 must come to an end really!” while Minnie Dlamini-Jones said: “Hayi no he meant Ventilators I’m sure!!!” 

These were some of the reactions on social media:

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