MPUMALANGA Premier Ndaweni Mahlangu has dismissed reports that he will be meeting with Public Protector Selby Baqwa on Friday to explain his public defence of lying as a political technique. Mahlangu’s new spokesperson, Sefako Nyaka, said the planned meeting on Friday was actually between a junior official from the premier’s office and representatives from the Public Protector. Nyaka said the meeting is at the premier’s request to clarify misunderstandings and to find out what the office wants from Mahlangu. Nyaka confirmed, however, that Mahlangu is prepared to meet Baqwa to discuss his controversial statement last week that politicians who are caught lying should still be allowed to hold high public office. The meeting is expected to help Baqwa decide whether to prosecute Mahlangu in terms of the Executive Members Ethics Act, which demands that elected representatives act “in good faith”.