Ugandan boxer Shakib Lutaaya has publicly apologized to his South Africa-based wife, Zari Hassan after a viral video sparked cheating allegations and widespread controversy on social media.
Addressing the backlash, Shakib took to social media on Saturday night to set the record straight. In a heartfelt video, he expressed regret over the situation and clarified his stance.
“That person and I are not dating; I just know them,” he stated. “I am here to apologize publicly because my mistake went public. It wasn’t my intention to disrespect my wife, my family, or my friends.”
The undated clip, which recently surfaced online, allegedly showed Shakib in a questionable encounter with an unidentified woman. Though the footage captured what appeared to be a simple exchange of pleasantries and a handshake, many speculated that the interaction was flirtatious, fueling rumors about trouble in his marriage.
Reacting to the controversy, Zari took social media to lament how men often mistreat their partners. While expressing her disappointment, she emphasized that her focus remained on the holy month of Ramadan.
“Men will leave you in the desert with no water,” she wrote.
The couple was recently featured on the Netflix hit reality show ‘Young, Famous and African’.
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Shakib’s public apology appears to be a step toward mending the rift caused by the controversy, as he seeks to rebuild trust with Zari and reassure their supporters.
