By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Photo Credit: Veli Nhlapo.
Political commentator and author Prince Mashele has apologised for lying about the source of his funds after he said he was under no legal obligation to reveal to the publishers of his book The Outsider: Unauthorised Biography of Herman Mashaba that the political subject of the book funded it with R12.5 million.
Mashele’s book has stirred controversy after it emerged that Mashaba helped fund the book, advertised as an unauthorised biography.
The book’s publisher, Jonathan Ball Publishers, has since withdrawn it from the market, citing a “breach of trust” after Mashele failed to reveal that Mashaba financed its creation.
In a brief statement released on Wednesday, Mashele said: “I would like to offer a sincere and unreserved apology for my part in the controversy which resulted in the withdrawal of my book, The Outsider: The Unauthorised Biography of Herman Mashaba.
“While I was bound by a non-disclosure obligation, I accept that I should not have stated that Herman Mashaba had no role to play in the funding of the book. The correct fact is that the research that led to the production of the book was financed through a funding agreement with Mashaba, to whom I am eternally grateful.
“I offer my apology to Mashaba, who has since been associated with the controversy due to no fault of his own. I admit that the answer I gave to Professor JJ Tabane, which stated that Mashaba had no role in the funding of the book, was incorrect. I apologise to Professor Tabane and the public in this regard.”
Mashele expressed his thanks to Jonathan Ball publishers for their professionalism during his interactions with them, despite their removal of the book from the market over breach of trust.
“I confirm that no further media interview on this matter will be entertained,” he said.
Meanwhile ActionSA member Brutus Malada, who revealed the information surrounding the book, said Mashele paid him R3.2 million for research.
But Mashele refused to divulge the details of what the remainder of the millions of rand were spent on. He also declined to confirm whether R3.2 million was paid to Malada.