Matome Robert Mahlatsi Thoka has publicly addressed South Africans following a controversy involving a leaked private video.
In a statement dated 12 August 2026, Thoka expressed deep remorse and acknowledged that his actions had caused pain, anger, disappointment and difficult emotions among many people.
Rather than becoming defensive, he said he wanted to put the situation into perspective while showing remorse for what he described as poor judgment.
His statement focused strongly on accepting responsibility, apologising to those affected and recognising that his actions had consequences beyond himself.
He also acknowledged the responsibilities that come with being a public figure.
Thoka began his statement by recognising the emotional impact the controversy has had on South Africans.
He said he had heard the concerns and voices of people who had been affected by what unfolded. His tone was one of humility, with an emphasis on understanding rather than dismissing the criticism directed towards him.
He acknowledged that people had legitimate reasons to feel hurt, angry or disappointed.
By opening his statement in this way, Thoka attempted to make clear that he understood the seriousness of the situation and did not want his response to appear as an attempt to avoid responsibility or minimise the feelings of those involved.
A significant part of Thoka’s explanation concerned his upbringing and personal beliefs about marriage.
He stated that he was raised in a Christian family that respects the sanctity of marriage and rejects adultery or infidelity.
According to his statement, these values have always been important to him and are part of the principles he was taught within his family. However, he acknowledged that his actions did not reflect those values.
Thoka admitted that he only discovered after the video was leaked that the woman involved was married. He said he should have independently verified her marital status before sharing a private moment with her.
Thoka described his failure to verify the woman’s marital status as a serious lapse in judgment. He admitted that instead of exercising caution, he “threw caution to the wind” and is now facing the consequences of that decision.
His acknowledgement suggests that he accepts responsibility for failing to make the necessary checks before becoming involved in the situation.
He did not present the discovery of the woman’s marriage as an excuse for his actions.
Instead, he said that the responsibility ultimately remained with him because he could have taken steps to establish the circumstances before proceeding. For this omission, he offered a sincere and profound apology.
One of the most direct apologies in the statement was addressed to the Shai family. Thoka said he was sorry for the tremendous pain he had caused them and insisted that causing such harm was not how he had been raised.
He rejected the idea that he was a “home wrecker,” while simultaneously acknowledging the distress connected to the situation. His apology was not limited to one family, however.
He also expressed regret to everyone who had been hurt, disappointed or distressed in any way.
He said he did not want to make excuses, dismiss anyone’s feelings or suggest that words alone could undo what had happened.
Thoka also recognised that his actions cannot be viewed in isolation. He explained that the controversy affects his family, the people who care about him, and members of the public who have followed his journey and held him in high regard.
This acknowledgment is important because public figures often face consequences that extend beyond their personal relationships when controversial situations become widely known.
Thoka accepted that being in the public eye carries responsibilities. He said he understood that there are consequences attached to public visibility and accepted the responsibility that comes with being watched, supported and judged by members of the public.
Throughout the statement, Thoka repeatedly emphasised humility and accountability. He said that, at this moment, he was choosing humility over defensiveness.
Rather than attempting to argue his way out of the controversy, he said he wanted to listen, reflect and learn from his mistakes. He also made a point of acknowledging that he is not a saint and is not perfect.
This admission presented him as someone recognising his own shortcomings rather than claiming to have acted without fault.
His message was that acknowledging mistakes is necessary, but that genuine accountability must also involve learning from those mistakes and changing future behaviour.
Thoka acknowledged that he cannot change what has already happened. However, he said he could choose how to respond to the situation and what lessons to take from it.
He promised to take the moment seriously, learn from the experience and work towards becoming a better person. His statement therefore moved beyond an immediate apology and towards a commitment to personal improvement.
He recognised that rebuilding trust would not happen simply because he had released a statement. Instead, he accepted that people would judge his future actions and behaviour.
This approach placed emphasis on time, consistency and responsibility rather than expecting immediate forgiveness from the public.
In a message directed towards his family, supporters and South Africans who felt hurt or disappointed, Thoka again expressed his sincere regret.
He included a Sepedi expression conveying his apology and acknowledging the seriousness of the hurt caused. He recognised that people who had stood by him may now feel let down by what happened.
His statement appeared to acknowledge that trust is particularly difficult to rebuild once it has been damaged. For Thoka, the way forward would therefore require more than explanations.
He stated clearly that trust is not restored through statements alone, but through time, accountability and actions. He consequently asked for an opportunity to demonstrate that change.
The statement from Matome Robert Mahlatsi Thoka ultimately presents a message centred on remorse, responsibility and personal reflection.
He accepts that his decision to become involved without verifying the woman’s marital status was a serious error in judgment and acknowledges the pain that followed.
He apologises to the Shai family, his own family, supporters and South Africans who were affected or disappointed. At the same time, he recognises that an apology cannot erase the consequences of what has already happened.
His closing message is therefore focused on earning back trust through conduct rather than words. By promising to listen, learn and act differently, Thoka says he hopes to become a better person and demonstrate genuine accountability over time.
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Watch Video Here: https://www.facebook.com/1103419630/posts/10233103929836063/?app=fbl
