Cape Town – Internationally acclaimed motivational speaker, author, and business mogul Vusi Thembekwayo has taken to social media to respond to allegations that he physically assaulted his wife Palesa, in an incident that resulted in his being arrested.
A report by City Press said that the Dragons Den SA star was arrested on Tuesday after handing himself at the Douglasdale Police station.
He was allegedly charged with gender-based violence.
Vusi allegedly slapped and dragged his wife down the stairs, The Citizen reported.
In a statement on Twitter, Vusi confirmed his court appearance, saying, however, that he was ready to prove his innocence “in the “appropriate forum”.
“To address the news first-hand I can confirm that I flew back to South Africa on 6 December 2021 — from an international trip to attend to a situation pertaining to my wife and her long-standing battle with substance abuse. The matter appeared in court this week and has been remanded and is being defended. At all times, I have cooperated with law enforcement to resolve this matter courteously and expeditiously.
“As it stands I maintain my innocence and will prove this in the appropriate forum and trust the justice department to deal with it accordingly,” he wrote.
Read the full statement below:
— VT (@VusiThembekwayo) December 11, 2021
He said he had always been committed to eradicating all forms of gender-based violence.
“I believe my record speaks for itself in this regard. I must state that I have consistently maintained my family and personal life as a matter of privacy and never sought to make a public spectacle of my family and subsequently ensure that it be kept separate from my career,” said Vusi.
His response did not go unnoticed, as Twitter users quickly commented:
What an awful & insensitive statement by Vusi #Thembekwayo, in an attempt to appear smart & responsible. Wittingly or unwittingly, he confirms he physically abused (assaulted) his wife. Instead of taking responsibility, he is trying to blame her alleged substance abuse. Very sad. pic.twitter.com/oWw7CQqGZa
— Mr Putin (@pietrampedi) December 12, 2021
Many people turn to substances to cope with abuse and then abusers use that against them. It’s very telling that Vusi would play that card.
— Neo (@Neo_url) December 12, 2021
Bro… ???.. all the BEST.. IT’S TOUGH TO BE WELL KNOWN.. Fortunately I had previlage to be your neighbor in Blue Valley we greated once or twice… Never heard you shout or Alterations … You are one of cool Dudes in Person infact. You not arrogant as the public perceive ?
— Themba Rikhotso (@rikhott1) December 11, 2021
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