Julius Malema's legal battle against Macchunu escalated after the court ruled that the activist had breached earlier orders.
Cultural activist and former radio presenter Ngizwe Mchunu wasted no time in apologizing to the North Gauteng High Court, hours after she was found guilty of contempt of court.
Pretoria court on Friday issued an arrest warrant against Mchunu after finding violations previous court orders Made in May, which barred him from making and repeating derogatory remarks about EFF leader Julius Malema.
Malema approached the court on an urgent basis following Mchunu's comments during separate media interviews in Pretoria on Tuesday, 28 April and in Johannesburg on Thursday, 30 April.
mchanu As cited in previous court papers: “Julius Malema…he recently received 60 million from Nigerian drug dealers; that is why he is highly protected and is even willing to lose everything he has politically to protect Nigerians and other illegal immigrants.
“He's eating illegal aliens' money; he's getting 60 million from illegal aliens, this Julius Malema. I don't care what he does; he's a dead snake. His time is up. Julius Malema, you are a dog; you sold out the people of South Africa to illegal aliens. I'm not afraid of you, my boy…”
In his application, Malema demanded that Mchunu apologize and retract the statement with an additional R1 million settlement.
Amnesty to suspend warrants and custody
Earlier on Friday, the court found that Mchunu “knowingly and unlawfully” republished the statements in violation of court orders.
It was ordered that if he did not apologize, he would be kept in jail for 10 days.
The court ordered, “Only upon the publication of an unreserved apology to the court on the social media platform on which Mr. Makchunu has been active for the last six months, uploaded to Caseline, and without repetition of the impugned statements, the above warrant of arrest and detention will be suspended.”
“Mr Macchunu will also deliver an apology to all media houses with whom he conducted interviews and repeated the prohibited statements, including King Zoso's TikTok account (@kingzoso_saa).”
If Mchunu complies, the warrant and custody will be suspended for a period of six months from the date of the apology, provided that he does not repeat the statement during that time.
If he fails to apologise, Malema can request the court to enforce a warrant and detention.
The court further ordered that Mchunu pay the costs of the contempt of court application, including the cost of two lawyers on an attorney-and-client scale.
Mchunu apologized unconditionally
In a reversal, Mchunu apologized “profusely, unreservedly and/or unconditionally” for his conduct.
“I have carefully considered the implications of my conduct; in particular, considering the influence I have in the Republic of South Africa, it is my duty as a leader to always display exemplary conduct, such conduct will include respecting the decisions of this honorable court,” Makchunu said in an apology filed in court on Friday night.
He said he has consulted his lawyers and is mindful of the fact that court orders are binding.
Mchunu further acknowledged that compliance with the court order is fundamental to the administration of justice.
“I regret my contemptible conduct, and I also confirm that in view of the court order given by this Honorable Court today, 5th June 2026, I will refrain from issuing any defamatory statement against the applicant, and I will not display any contempt towards this Honorable Court.”