The letter, written by FHM features editor Max Barashenkov and colleague Montle Moroosi, was posted on their blog on Thursday.
"We apologise sincerely for our distasteful and insensitive comments and would especially like to extend our apologies to anyone who has ever gone through the horror of rape," it said.
FHM found itself in the eye of a storm on Tuesday over a status update posted by Barashenkov, in which he joked about "corrective" rape. In the update, Barashenkov suggested "correctional rape and sterilization for any white person who twerks".
Moroos joined the banter by saying, “I think rape can be quite fun if executed in a romantic manner. Like saying ‘i love you’ before slipping a roofie in her earl grey tea”.
FHM suspended the writers.
Their apology letter was not received well and ignited further condemnation on social media:
Online comic and YouTuber Anton Taylor posted a video in response to the letter. Barashenkov's original facebook post was in response to a "twerking" video created by Taylor.
Join the M&G Hangout on Friday where we will discuss the issue of rape culture and ask the question: "Is a rape joke ever acceptable in SA?"