Shivambu scoffs at apology

Within hours of reaching a settlement with journalist Carien du Plessis, Floyd Shivambu tweeted that he had acknowledged his guilt in calling her "a white bitch" only because he did not want to "waste more time" in court.

The ANC Youth League spokesman, who was recently suspended by the ANC, was yesterday advised by his lawyers to apologise to the City Press journalist.

Du Plessis brought charges of hate speech against Shivambu in the Johannesburg Equity Court in May 2010 and was suing him for R100000.

Yesterday, magistrate Oriel Vele expressed his frustration at Shivambu's lawyers' request for another postponement. The case has already been postponed for more than four months.

"No reason has been given as to why the respondent's legal team has not met their client. The client should show an interest in his own case," said Vele.

The agreement was reached within the court's 30-minute break.

"I am glad he has admitted and apologised. I am also relieved because this case has been dragging on for too long," said Du Plessis.

The settlement includes a written apology and an agreement to pay all Du Plessis' legal costs.

"I want to apologise unconditionally for referring to Du Plessis as "stupid" and "white b***h" . Not only was it unprofessional of me to respond in such a way, I also accept that she experienced it as an affront to her dignity as a fellow human being and as a woman," Shivambu said in the agreement.

He later said on Twitter that he signed the settlement only because he did not deem it worthwhile to continue with "court cases that have no bearing or influence in the struggle for economic freedom".

Earlier this year, Shivambu was found guilty and suspended by the ANC's national disciplinary committee for sowing division and bringing the party into disrepute.