‘I erred, I am sorry,’ says Radebe
MINISTER in the Presidency Jeff Radebe has apologised unreservedly for exchanging explicit text and e-mail messages with an employee in the government’s communications agency.
Radebe said yesterday that the scandal was a regrettable moment of weakness.
The Sunday Times revealed that Radebe, 64, had exchanged several improper text messages and e-mails with Government Communications and Information Systems (GCIS) photographer Siyasanga Mbambani (29).
Sunday Times reported that Mbambani had exposed the texts between her and Radebe to prove that she was being victimised by her superiors at GCIS because she was “improperly close” to senior officials at the Union Buildings.
Mbambani was in the news in March when she was suspended at GCIS following a series of sexual harassment complaints against her boss, Elmond Jiyane. She accused him of being sexist when he asked that she dress properly when covering the Presidency.
She alleged at the time that Jiyane had on several occasions falsely accused her of making sexual overtures towards Zuma and Ramaphosa by being scantily dressed and flashing her “full bums” and breasts at the pair while taking their pictures during events. She denied the allegations. The revelations were con- trary to the impeccable image Radebe has built in an illustrious career in government.
But yesterday the longest-serving cabinet minister and ANC head of policy acted swiftly and took responsibility for his actions.
“I sincerely regret engaging in the text and e-mail conversations, which are improper for a married man,” he says. “However, beyond those exchanges, there was never a relationship and the communication was never acrimonious,” said Radebe.
Apologise
He added: “I apologise for the embarrassment caused to Ms Mbambani, to my wife, my family, all South Africans and my movement, the ANC. I should have known better and I take full responsibility for my actions.”
On Sunday, Radebe was summoned to the Soweto home of Struggle stalwart Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, to ex- plain his actions. Accompanied by his wife Bridgette, Radebe met Madikizela-Mandela at her Orlando West home, where he apologised. The family received counselling from Madikizela-Mandela.
Yesterday Radebe, who attended the ANC national working committee (NWC) meeting, apologised for his conduct before his comrades.
Madikizela-Mandela said yesterday that she had been disappointed by the revelations, but held Radebe in very high esteem and believed he did well to own up and apologise.
“This is the kind of leadership we require,” she said, speaking by phone. “We all make mistakes and we must take responsibility for them. It takes a real man to apologise, and Jeff has done that.
“I have known him from when he was a young boy before he left the country to go into exile. He’s an outstanding leader of our movement…”