Mamabolo made the claim during the State of the Nation Address (SONA) sitting past Thursday.

Earlier, a defiant Mamabolo stuck to his guns, saying that he would meet the Malemas in court. 

But in the early hours of Friday morning, the ANC politician tweeted an apology and retracted his comment, saying he was "wrong to raise the matter in public" without consulting with the Malemas first. 

He claimed his comments were based on WhatsApp messages he had received from "some jealous friends" called "Friends of Mantoa", who started sending him messages in November last year. 

"I would like to take this opportunity to apologise and retract the insensitive statements that I have made in Parliament and outside regarding gender-based violence which was allegedly happening in your household," Mamabolo wrote. 

"I humbly request you to accept my sincere apology, I wish you a Happy Malema Family (as I've always did) jealous must never break you, Stay strong my Comrades (sic)." 

Quoting statistics on gender-based violence, Mamabolo said he was recommitting himself to fighting and challenging it. 

Malema and his wife had indicated they would sue Mamabolo if he did not issue an apology by Wednesday.

Both complaints stated they were seeking damages of R1m each for defamation of character.

News24