Umzinyathi demands an apology

Sir,
Your newspaper article in the Courier issue dated April 18, under the heading ‘Bhekisisa’s dream house’, mentioned that the Umzinyathi District Municipality failed to deliver on its promises.
We would like to point out that the Disaster Management Department of the Umzinyathi District Municipality had on several occasions dealt with this matter, right from the initial stage. Bhekisisa Nxumalo had interaction with a number of different departments in the municipality, from Disaster Management to Communications to the Mayor’s office to Social Development (which works closely with Operation Sukuma Sakhe). Umzinyathi Head of Disaster, Mzwandile Hadabe, in the past engaged in several meetings with the owner of the company that was awarded the tender to build Nxumalo’s house. Feedback and updates were also communicated to Nxumalo. As the Umzinyathi management we found the article very disturbing, and state that it is untrue that the municipality was never involved in this matter.
Clearly, correction and an apology will be appropriate in this regard. We therefore request the story be corrected and be put into its correct perspective.
Jeff Hassan – Umzinyathi Communications Manager
The Courier stands by the original report – Editor.