‘Vindicated’ Hanekom accepts Zuma apology for defamatory tweet
Former cabinet minister Derek
Hanekom has accepted the court-ordered apology from former president Jacob Zuma
for a defamatory tweet he posted.
On Friday the Constitutional Court ruled in confirmation that Zuma had defamed Hanekom, who is also the former chairperson of the African National Congress’ (ANC) disciplinary committee.
The ruling confirmed an earlier High Court order that Zuma needs to apologise to Hanekom for branding him “a known enemy agent”.
“I am pleased that most of it is over and it went through all the courts,” says Hanekom.
“It was unnecessary but that’s the choice the former president made and when we first demanded an apology and retraction. The court ruled that he must issue an apology and withdraw the tweet.”
Hanekom adds: “Ultimately I feel vindicated because the courts ruled that what he said was defamatory and untrue, so he issued the apology and I accept the apology.”
Hanekom believes the matter is now resolved, although the issue of damages still need to be resolved