The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) has apologised to President Cyril Ramaphosa for playing an unedited clip of his address to the nation on Thursday.
The clip was played on SABC News TV channel and showed Ramaphosa making a mistake and the restarting his address.
Upon realising his mistake, Ramaphosa waved his hand and said, “Let’s start again. I made a mistake there.”
SABC cut short the address and played the correct version a little while later.
In the pre-recorded video, Ramaphosa addressed gender-based violence issues and the recent spate of xenophobic unrest in Gauteng.
Embarrassment
SABC called the incident an “unfortunate breach” of the news production process.
The public broadcaster wishes to apologise to the President of the Republic and the nation for any embarrassment caused in this breach of news production processes.
SABC
It said it took the matter “very seriously” and undertook to “take appropriate action” after following due processes.
Social media reaction
Viewers were quick to take to social media to react to the clip.
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Deputy President Floyd Shivambu tweeted, “The President really needs prayers. Everything seems to be a mistake around him.”
Other social media users however defended the president, saying he’s human and bound to make mistakes.