ANC MP BoyMamabolo has apologized to EFF leader Julius Malema for making spousal abuse claims in Parliament, saying his comments were based on WhatsApp messages he had received from ‘jealous’ friends called ‘Friends of Mantoa’.
“I would like to take this opportunity to apologise and retract the insensitive statements that I have made in Parliament and outside regarding gender-based violence which was allegedly happening in your household,” said Mamabolo.
Mamabolo said his comments were based on WhatsApp messages he received from “jealous friends” called “Friends of Mantoa”, who started sending him messages in November last year.
“My question to Mr. Malema in terms of rule 14L (a) of the Joint Sitting was influenced by the SMSs and WhatsApp messages that I received from the so-called ‘Mantoa’s friends’,” he said.
“I posed the question to Mr Malema because the President during the Special Joint Sitting last year called upon us to expose any form of GBV in our country, and some jealous friends called “Friends of Mantoa “ started sending me msgs since November last year.”
“I humbly request you to accept my sincere apology, I wish you a Happy Malema Family (as I’ve always did) jealous must never break you, Stay strong my Comrades (sic).”
He also acknowledged that gender-based violence in South Africa has reached an alarming rate and was not a matter to be used to settle political scores.
“The fight against femicide and GBV is a fight I recommit myself to and even after these unfortunate events I will continue to contribute in challenging it and fighting it. My actions impugned your reputation,” he said in his statement.
Mamabolo said he sent a copy of his statement to President Cyril Ramaphosa, the Speaker of the National Assembly Thandi Modise, chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), Amos Masondo and ANC chief whip Pemmy Majodina.
(Compiled by Charles Molele)
