RETRACTION

IN articles published under the headings; ‘Percy responds to proscribed online entity in own capacity –Alpheous’ on March 26, 2024, and ‘Percy on Alpheous: We can’t be on the same wavelength’ on April 2, 2024, we reported that during an interview with The Bridge Online, the Government Spokesperson, Alpheous Nxumalo, said the King’s Office Director of Communications responds to a proscribed online entity in his individual capacity. This was in response to a question posed to Nxumalo on why there is a disconnect between the two PRO offices as Simelane continues to engage the proscribed entity despite that government had issued a ban to all public office holders from communicating with the entity.

We wish to clarify that while Nxumalo was specifically asked about Simelane’s continued engagement with the proscribed entity, Nxumalo did not name him (Simelane) in his response and we hereby retract this reference. Nxumalo said he could not speak or respond on behalf of the King’s Office or Simelane, but the public should not take individuals at the King’s Office as the King’s Office, neither should they take the King’s Office as individuals. He said there is a known position of the King’s Office on this issue and that whatever convenience these individuals may have found to keep engaging the proscribed entity, it would not affect his (Nxumalo) decision not to engage the entity as per the ban. We wish to apologise to Nxumalo for the error, as well as to all who may have been affected by its publication.