Local News
'Former Weekly editor promised to retract contested article'─── REFILWE GAESWE 06:12 Wed, 29 Jul 2015
Bloemfontein - The late former editor of the Weekly Newspaper, Simphiwe Mboyane, promised to retract a contested article about former MEC of Sports, Arts and Culture Dan Khothule.
This is according to Sibongile Tsoeleli, an ANC member of national Parliament. Tsoeleli was the chairperson of the Education, Sports and Culture portfolio committee for the Free State Legislature when Khothule was MEC.
Tsoeleli was cross-examined at the Bloemfontein High Court on Wednesday in a case of defamation of character which Khothule laid against the newspaper. The article, published on 6-10 August 2010, made allegations about Khothule’s mismanagement regarding the 2010 World Cup budget, Mmabana Cultural Centre, Macufe and Pacofs, among others.
Tsoeleli testified that she met with Mboyane after she read the article about Khothule to question him about the allegations. She says Mboyane admitted to her that he didn’t write the story but only edited it and that it was a female colleague who was allegedly present at the portfolio committee meeting.
Tsoeleli told the court that allegations made in the article were untrue. She emphasised that Pacofs had had problems before Khothule was made MEC and further explained that Macufe is a big program which is bound to face shortfalls.
Tsoeleli clarified that failure to pay service providers for Macufe is the responsibility of the consortium appointed to execute the arts festival. She said if there were budget overruns at Macufe, the department of Sports, Arts and Culture could be blamed for it.
Tsoeleli says Khothule was an innovative and dedicated MEC and the department improved under his leadership. The trial continues with more witnesses expected to testify.
Refilwe Mekoa/OFM News
