Staff ReporterEconomic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema has apologised to President Cyril Ramaphosa, regarding the gender-based violence comments he made in Parliament. Malema’s apology follows that of President Ramaphosa during his reply to the SONA debate.
The President apologised to Malema, his wife Mantoa Matlala and family for the humiliation he suffered after the claims by ANC MP Boy Mamabolo, that he abused his wife. In a statement, Malema says after Ramaphosa’s apology he had a long discussion with his wife.
They then decided to accept it and subsequently apologise themselves to the President.
In a statement released on Thursday evening, Malema said his utterances were a desperate act of personal defence, which he regretted.
“In retrospect, I accept that I should have known better not to indulge myself in the same degeneration that the ANC caucus visited upon my person and that of my wife. It was therefore in a desperate act of personal defence, which I now regret because of how critical the matter of Gender-Based Violence is for all of us as a country.”
Malema also extended his apology to the Ramaphosa family and South Africans at large.
“I also hope that such a degeneration never occurs again where ANC MPs use personal matters, masquerading in false and malicious accusations to score political points. I also would like to apologise to all South Africans who were offended in the process, in particular victims of Gender-Based Violence”
He said he hoped the apology meant the matter would be put to rest.
