Johannesburg Mayor Herman Mashaba has accepted the apology and correction by the Sowetan newspaper relating to a story published on Monday.
The article alleged that the Mayor had hired his wife’s company to assist with the in-sourcing of security personnel.
The newspaper quoted the African National Congress (ANC) claiming that proper processes were not followed and that the deal represented a conflict of interest.
Even though Mashaba denies any wrongdoing, he has referred himself to the City’s Ethics Committee over the allegations.
Mashaba says the article, which the Sowetan corrects on Thursday, is nothing but false information.
“You know the day when some journalists can be used by particularly the ANC to spread lies to our communities, it is something I will not accept. The article on Monday was actually was actually full of lies to mislead our public and residents. That is why I requested the Sowetan to retract… other than that, I am happy that they have corrected their mistake and I have accepted their apology,” says Mashaba.
Mashaba has also welcomed that the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF)’s call for a probe into the allegations has now been retracted.
