Ngizwe Mchunu has issued an unreserved public apology to the High Court and EFF leader Julius Malema after being found guilty of contempt of court for violating previous court orders that barred him from repeating certain allegations and insults directed at the opposition politician.
The contempt finding stems from a series of statements in which Mchunu accused Malema of receiving money from Nigerian drug dealers and illegal foreign nationals, and alleged he benefited from corruption linked to VBS Mutual Bank and On Point Engineering. He also referred to him as a “dog”, a “political devil” and a “dead snake”.
The court found that Mchunu unlawfully republished the prohibited statements on May 20 and 21, 2026, despite earlier orders restraining him from doing so.
The Gauteng Division of the High Court in Pretoria, sitting before Judge Labuschagne on June 5, 2026, found Mchunu guilty of contempt of court for intentionally disobeying orders issued by Judge Khumalo on May 12 and Acting Judge Lukhaimane on May 19, 2026.
As part of the order, the court issued a warrant for Mchunu’s arrest and a 10-day custodial sentence. However, the warrant was suspended on condition that he complies with several requirements, including publishing an unreserved apology on all social media platforms on which he has been active over the past six months, and distributing the apology to media organisations that carried the statements.
In his apology, Mchunu acknowledged the seriousness of his conduct and accepted the authority of the judiciary.
“I have carefully considered the ramifications of my conduct, in particular taking into account the influence I command in the Republic of South Africa,” Mchunu said.
“It is my duty as a leader to always exhibit exemplary conduct. Such conduct shall include respecting the decisions of this Honourable Court.”
Mchunu further acknowledged the court’s finding against him.
“It is common cause that this Honourable Court has found me guilty of contempt of court for my failure to comply with paragraph 3 of the orders granted by Judge Khumalo and Acting Judge Lukhaimane respectively,” he stated.
Mchunu said he now understands that court orders are binding and must be obeyed.“I am mindful of the fact that such court orders are binding and must be obeyed by all persons to whom they apply, and I further acknowledge that compliance with a court order is fundamental to the administration of justice.
”Expressing remorse, Mchunu pledged to refrain from further attacks on both Malema and the judiciary.“I am remorseful for my contemptuous conduct, and I confirm that, in keeping with the court order, I will refrain from issuing any disparaging statements against the applicant and will not display any disrespect towards this Honourable Court.”
Mchunu also apologised directly to Malema and formally retracted the remarks that gave rise to the legal dispute.
“I take this opportunity to profusely apologise to Mr Julius Sello Malema, the President of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF),” he said.
“I further confirm that I will refrain from publishing or issuing impugned statements in future.”
He also withdrew the statements made after the court orders were granted.
“Furthermore, I withdraw all statements issued after the court orders had been handed down.”
The court ordered that the suspended warrant remain in force for six months. Should Mchunu repeat any of the prohibited statements during that period, Malema may return to court to seek enforcement of the warrant and any further relief.