uMngeni Mayor’s Apology Statement

What this means

This document is a media statement dated 30 June 2026 from the uMngeni Local Municipality Mayor, Cllr Christopher Pappas. It states that, following a preliminary investigation claim reported in media and a High Court summons (case no. 14927/22P) brought by Mhlanga Incorporated against the municipality and the mayor for defamation, the mayor withdraws the statements and unreservedly apologises for any injury to Mhlanga Incorporated’s good name. The statement says the parties reflected on the matter and that the apology is made in the spirit of settling without further hostilities.

Facts

Places

KwaZulu-Natal, Msunduzi Local Municipality

Reference

https://umngeni.gov.za/umngeni-mayors-apology-statement/

Parties

Mhlanga Incorporated against the municipality

Key Takeaways

uMngeni Mayor’s Apology Statement
Date: 30 June 2026
Mayor: Cllr Christopher Pappas (uMngeni Local Municipality)
Complainant: Mhlanga Incorporated
Court: High Court of Pietermaritzburg
Case no.: 14927/22P
Allegation context: preliminary investigation reported in East Coast Radio, The Witness and The Mercury
Claim: Mhlanga Incorporated allegedly overcharged uMngeni Local Municipality up to three times above industry rates
Legal claim: defamation and causing injury to Mhlanga Incorporated’s good name
Action: mayor withdraws statements and unreservedly apologises
Stated purpose: settle the matter without further hostilities
uMngeni Local Municipality
Cllr Christopher Pappas
Mhlanga Incorporated
High Court of Pietermaritzburg
East Coast Radio
The Witness
The Mercury

Dates

Closing Date

30 June 2026