Ramaphosa offers apology to Malema following GBV accusations

President Cyril Ramaphosa has offered an apology to Economic Freedom Fighters leader, Julius Malema, after an MP accused him of assaulting his wife.

Ramaphosa was speaking in Parliament replying to the State Of The Nation debate. The allegation was made by African National Congress MP Boy Mamabolo.

Mamabolo made the claims during last week’s State of the Nation Address and repeated it in Tuesday’s debate on the SONA.

Click below to watch Boy Mamabolo accusing Julius Malema of abusing his wife:

When Malema answered the question, chaos erupted. “I have never raised my hand to my wife. I have challenged the President and asked those who have not beaten their wife in the last 25 years to raise your hand because I’ve heard that Ramaphosa had beaten his late wife Nomazizi.”

Click below to watch EFF leader Julius Malema responding  to a question about gender-based violence: 

Ramaphosa said the allegations by Mamabolo were uncalled for and improper.

WATCH | President Ramaphosa offers apology to Malema’s family and urges men to work together in stopping the violence brought on women by men. “We must bring gender-based violence to an end in our lifetime…and we must respect women of our country.” #SONAreply #SONA2020 pic.twitter.com/jISgdaZhCm

— SABC News Online (@SABCNewsOnline) February 20, 2020

Ramaphosa added that gender-based violence must not be used as a politicking tool.

WATCH | President Ramaphosa addresses the issue of using GBV as a politicking tool, labeling Boy Mamabolo’s question as “Improper and uncalled for.” #SONADEBATE2020 #SONA pic.twitter.com/h6N4mhleIB

— SABC News Online (@SABCNewsOnline) February 20, 2020

Malema profusely denied ever assaulting his wife has labeled the apology from Ramaphosa as disingenuous. He told SABC News on the Parliamentary precinct that he did not think the apology was genuine.

WATCH: Lobby groups lament women abuse used as a political tool: