Ramaphosa apologises to Malema, Mantoa for abuse claims

Ramaphosa replied to the State of the Nation Address debate in the National Assembly on Thursday.

On Tuesday the debate descended into chaos when African National Congress (ANC) and EFF MPs traded insults and accused each other of domestic violence.

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It all kicked off when ANC MP Boy Mamabolo accused Malema of abusing his wife.

Malema was asked to leave the house when he accused the president of abusing his late former wife Nomazizi.

Ramaphosa told MPs the exchange between the two parties undermined work done to address the issue of gender-based violence.

"The statements meant and the purpose they were intended to serve were not really good. They undermine the resolve of this house that we demonstrated in the joint sitting that we had in September. We all met here solemnly committed to addressing this issue.

"I think this is something that we should apologise to South Africans in the manner in which this matter was debated. Let us agree that we should never again allow such an important issue to be used this way."

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Ramaphosa concluded his speech by apologising to Malema for the allegations, adding that his heart goes out Mantoa Malema.

"Honorable Malema as the allegations were made against you I felt for Mantoa - your wife - because it was uncalled for. It was improper. It was not correct for it to be raised and if I can offer an apology to you I'd like to because it was uncalled for and Mantao responded.

"You've raised the issue of my late former wife Mazizi, she is not here to respond for herself."

Ramaphosa reiterated that such matters should not be trivialised and called on men to end the scourge.

"An important issue that affects so many women in our country. All of us need to engage in this struggle against gender-based violence."