MAKHADO (LOUIS TRICHARDT) – "I never uttered such words, as I do not want to fight with white people." This was the response by the mayor of the Makhado Municipality, Cllr Brighton Tlakula, after it was brought to his attention that a remark made by him regarding white people could be construed as a racist remark.

Several provincial and national newspapers last week reported that Cllr Tlakula had received telephonic death threats for his role in changing the name of Louis Trichardt to that of Makhado. Cllr Tlakula is quoted as saying that he personally had received three calls from black people and one call from a white person. In one of these publications, the Capricorn Voice from Polokwane, the mayor is quoted as to saying: "These people must accept transformation as more changes, including street names, are still forthcoming." The article, written by journalist Joshua Kwapa, goes on to quote the mayor as saying: "White people are hell-bent on dividing Shangaans, Vendas and Pedis through this name change process in our area." This was said in support of an accusation made by Cllr Tlakula that white people use black people to push their own agendas.

Following the publication of this article, Cllr Tlakula invited this newspaper to a meeting in an effort to put the record straight. He vehemently denied ever uttering such words and said that he never made any remark whatsoever regarding white people. He said that he does not want to fight with white people and is known to be working harmoniously with the white community. "It's a blatant lie!" he said.

When asked why he thought the writer of this article saw fit to quote him as saying something he now denies ever saying, the mayor said he did not know why, but that the journalist is probably a young man trying to make a name for himself.

The journalist in question, Mr Kwapa, was asked on Wednesday to give his version of the story. Mr Kwapa stated that he has been a journalist since 1999, after obtaining a National Diploma in journalism. He stressed the fact that in all these years, he has never been accused of printing false information or for quoting someone on something that person did not say.

"The mayor is lying and I have it on record that he did make the remark," Mr Kwapa said.

With regard to the alleged death threats the mayor claims to have received, Cllr Tlakula was asked on Monday whether he had reported the matter to the police. Cllr Tlakula said that he had not reported the matter, as he did not deem it that important.