Mmusi Maimane makes formal apology to Brett Herron

24 November 2022

On 13 December 2018 in a radio interview on SAfm, I stated that Brett Herron was racist, corrupt and wanted by the police. My remarks stemmed from a briefing I'd received on the contents of the Bowman's Report on corruption in the City of Cape Town. Having now had ample opportunity to study the report, and consider the analysis of a trusted Senior Counsel, it is clear that what I said about Brett was unjustified, unfair and untrue.

I made the remarks at a difficult time for the DA following the decision of Ms Patricia De Lillev Brett and others to leave the party. As the DA leader, I adopted a generally robust and adversarial stance. In respect of the Bowman's Report, I relied on the interpretations of colleagues and on reflection I accept that my comments were unwise and ill-considered.

As a member of an interdependent human family in an interconnected society and world, I believe in acknowledging and taking responsibility for my mistakes.

I have therefore offered an unconditional apology to Brett which he has graciously accepted I have grown to appreciate the fact that there are many people out there who despite wearing different colour hats to ours, and some wearing none at all share similar sets of values and principles, and are similarly driven by patriotism and commitment. I have come to understand that those with whom we disagree in the game of politics are most often our strategic opponents in that moment, not our enemies.

Issued by Mmusi Maimane, 24 November 2022