Vlok makes good on promise of face-to-face apology to Mbeki family

20 January 2016 - 19:07 By Tmg Digital

Adriaan Vlok‚ a former law and order minister in the apartheid era‚ has made good on his promise to apologise to the Mbeki family in person for hurting them. Vlok phoned in to Jacaranda FM's The Complimentary Breakfast show last week during an interview with Moeletsi Mbeki‚ brother of former President Thabbo Mbeki‚ and announced he would like to see him face-to-face to apologise.He met with Moeletsi Mbeki at his Johannesburg offices on Wednesday to deliver the apology in person.According to Jacaranda FM‚ the two men emerged from the office on Wednesday afternoon‚ thanking each other and parting ways with a friendly handshake.Speaking to Jacaranda FM News afterwards‚ Vlok said as a Christian he needed to reconcile."Personally I have never hurt them during my time as a minister... fact of the matter is I was actively involved in apartheid and in enforcing apartheid and this has hurt them deeply..."Vlok said forgiveness and reconciliation were personal matters‚ and he had to make this apology in person."So I have been here today to do exactly this‚ to say to him I'm sorry for what I did under apartheid to hurt you and your family." Mbeki declined to comment‚ saying this was Vlok's initiative...

There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.

From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.

For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.

Already subscribed? Sign in below.



Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.