Gigaba dares Redi Tlhabi to apologise or face ‘hefty damages claim’

Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba has dared veteran broadcaster Redi Tlhabi to apologise for the “lies” she tweeted about him on social media recently.

Tlhabi had earlier tweeted that Gigaba changed South Africa’s visa regulations because of his alleged interest in blocking his ex-wife from travelling abroad with their child after their divorce.

In a series of tweets, Tlhabi accused Gigaba of implementing “brainless” visa regulations.

“Minister, when are we going to have the real conversation? When are you going to be honest with the nation and tell us why you were adamant that your brainless visa regulations for travelling with minors were personal? That we all had to tow the line because you had a domestic issue?

“Is it not true that you were livid when a cousin of your ex-wife travelled with your daughter Lerato, whilst your wife was in Cuba? Upon finding out, you laid charges of kidnapping even though you knew your ex-wife’s cousin very well and your daughter was quite happy with her?

“You had a personal issue of your ex-wife making travel arrangements with [your] daughter without your consent, so you decided ‘I’ll sort this problem out’? You implemented untested regulations, claiming to address child trafficking? Have your regulations brought child trafficking down?”

Gigaba fought back, saying that he was still the minister of public enterprises when the regulations on travelling with children from South Africa were adopted.

“For the record, @RediTlhabi, I’m not bothered by your using my name to ingratiate yourself to the band of uninformed incorrigible racists you’ve made a career out of sucking up to. Victimise my daughter again, though, and you’ll discover that I’m capable of sinking to your level,” he said.

Gigaba has since given Tlhabi until 5pm on Thursday to apologise or face a damages claim.

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