By Tamlyn Canham
Motivational speaker Vusi Thembekwayo has addressed claims that he assaulted his wife, Palesa Thembekwayo.
According to the City Press, police arrested the entrepreneur last week after allegedly hitting his wife.
The incident reportedly took place at their home in Dainfern. The publication says Vusi spent the night in prison following his arrest. He has since been released on bail, according to the report.
Vusi’s wife is allegedly accusing him of dragging her out of bed, slapping her, and demanding that she leaves the home.
He took to social media to share his side of the story. He says his family is “currently going through a difficult period”.
Vusi says he flew back to South Africa from an international trip on December 6 to attend to a situation pertaining to his wife’s “longstanding battle with substance abuse”.
“Her response has been unfortunate and resulted in alleged charges of assault against me,” he wrote.
Vusi says he maintains his innocence and trusts that the law will take its course.
“I have always been an advocate of equality, committed to eradicating all forms of GBV and I believe my record speaks for itself in this regard,” he wrote.
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Social media reaction
Social media users have accused Vusi of “throwing his wife under the bus” for revealing she allegedly has a substance abuse problem.
“Vusi Thembekwayo is in big trouble, you don’t just brush off GBV allegations with a mere press statement. His career rests on his reputation. Throwing his wife under the bus was also a bad move. It’s a perception game before the matter is resolved in court,” one Twitter user wrote.
Another user added: “Went from maintaining privacy around the subject of your family, to telling us that the mother of your children has a substance abuse problem. On brand shadiness from you.”
Mohale Motaung, whose estranged husband Somizi has also been accused of abuse, also shared his views on the matter.
“You went from maintaining privacy to immediately telling us about a PRIVATE matter pertaining [to] your wife??! Very narcissistic behaviour this! I BELIEVE HER!” he tweeted.
Vusi’s wife has reportedly opened a case of common assault at the Douglasdale Police Station.
