Ngizwe Mchunu’s Public Apology After Contempt of Court Ruling

What Happened?

Ngizwe Mchunu, a well‑known South African commentator, made several statements about Julius Malema, the leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). He accused Malema of taking money from Nigerian drug dealers, benefiting from corruption tied to VBS Mutual Bank and On Point Engineering, and used insulting names such as “dog,” “political devil,” and “dead snake.”

The Court’s Findings

The Gauteng Division of the High Court in Pretoria ruled that Mchunu violated previous court orders that barred him from repeating those allegations and insults. On May 20 and 21 2026 he republished the prohibited statements, despite being told not to. Justice Labuschagne found him guilty of contempt of court on June 5 2026 for willfully ignoring orders issued by Justice Khumalo (May 12) and Acting Justice Lukhaimane (May 19).

The Judge’s Orders

As part of the ruling, the court:

• Issued an arrest warrant for Mchunu.
• Gave him a 10‑day prison sentence.
• Suspended the warrant on the condition that he:
  1. Publish an unreserved apology on every social media platform he used in the last six months.
  2. Send the apology to any media outlet that had spread the original statements.

The suspended warrant will stay in place for six months. If Mchunu repeats any of the banned comments during that time, Malema can ask the court to enforce the arrest and seek further penalties.

Mchunu’s Apology

In his apology, Mchunu accepted the court’s authority and expressed regret for his actions. Key points he made include:

• Acknowledging the seriousness of his behavior and his influence in South Africa.
• Stating that as a leader he must show exemplary conduct, which includes respecting court decisions.
• Confirming that he now understands court orders are binding and must be obeyed by everyone they apply to.
• Expressing regret for the derogatory remarks and promising not to repeat them.
• Directly apologizing to Julius Sello Malema and withdrawing all the statements that led to the legal dispute.
• Revoking any comments he made after the court orders were issued.

What the Apology Says (Excerpt)

“I have carefully considered the consequences of my behavior, particularly taking into account the influence I have in the Republic of South Africa. As a leader, it is my duty to always demonstrate exemplary behavior. This behavior includes respect for the decisions of this honorable court.”

“I regret my derogatory behavior and confirm that in accordance with the court order, I will not make any derogatory statements against the applicant and will not show any disrespect to this honorable court.”

“I take this opportunity to sincerely apologize to Mr. Julius Sello Malema, President of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). I further confirm that I will no longer publish or make objectionable statements in the future.”

What Happens Next?

Mchunu must now follow the court’s conditions:

1. Post his apology on all his active social media accounts.
2. Forward the apology to the media houses that originally published his statements.
3. Avoid any further comments that insult Malema or question the court’s authority for the next six months.

If he complies, the suspended arrest warrant will remain inactive. If he breaks the agreement, the warrant can be activated and he may face the original 10‑day jail term plus additional legal consequences.

Conclusion

Ngizwe Mchunu’s public apology shows how the legal system can hold public figures accountable for their words. By accepting the court’s decision and promising to stop the harmful statements, he demonstrates a step toward respecting both the judiciary and the individuals involved. The case also serves as a reminder to everyone—especially those with a platform—that freedom of speech comes with the responsibility to obey lawful orders and to avoid spreading false or harmful accusations.