Ex-wife defends Ramaphosa from allegations of abuse
Malema aired the rumours on radio
The former wife of Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa and former cabinet minister Tito Mboweni have jumped to Ramaphosa’s defence to speak out against a claim that he is a woman beater.
This after EFF leader Julius Malema, in a radio interview this week, implied that Ramaphosa had abused his ex-wife, Hope Ramaphosa.
According to media reports, Malema had said: “Let me tell you why Bathabile [Dlamini] says there are worse people than Mduduzi Manana in the ANC. She is referring to Cyril Ramaphosa; they are saying he used to beat up his wife.”
Manana, the Deputy Minister of Higher Education, allegedly assaulted Mandisa Duma at a Johannesburg nightclub a fortnight ago.
He appeared in Randburg Magistrate’s Court last week and in connection with assault charges, and was granted bail of R5 000.
Mboweni posted on Facebook: “I warned in May that this ANC leadership thing is going to get nasty. Smear campaigns will destroy this organisation. I do not believe for a moment that my brother and comrade has ever‚ ever‚ raised his hand against his wife. Ever‚ never!”
Yesterday, EyeWitnessNews (EWN) quoted Hope as saying Ramaphosa had never laid a hand on her during their relationship. “I lived with him‚ and had the opportunity to make him angry many times‚ but never ever did Cyril lift a finger‚” Hope said.
Endorsing him to become the next president of the ANC and South Africa‚ Hope told EWN: “I was his wife and girlfriend for a very long time‚ Cyril would not beat up a woman. He is very sensitive to women’s issues.”
At the weekend‚ the Sunday Times reported that Dlamini said Manana was not the only woman abuser in government and that there were senior officials who were far worse than him.
A digital campaign operating in support of Ramaphosa under the banner “CR17 Siyavuma” – although he has denied authorising it – has also decried the “dirty tricks” being utilised against their presidential contender. “The CR17 campaign will not allow an expanding ‘dirty tricks’ campaign to derail its efforts.
“The latest part of this campaign was revealed by Julius Malema on Capricorn FM... where he spoke about rumours that Cyril Ramaphosa had abused his former wife.
“Malema also implied that certain ANC leaders may be behind these rumours.