/ 3 August 2001

I did not make abusive remarks about the M&G

The allegation by Paul Kirk (July 27) that I presented a false driver’s licence to my employer is a blatant lie. The abusive remarks attributed to me are nothing but fabrication. I had already resigned from the companies mentioned in the article before joining the council. Regarding Mr Shange’s appointment as director of community and health services, we are formulating charges against him regarding the alleged cancelled university degree. Sandile Thusi, CEO: Durban South Local Council

W ith regard to “The war the world forgot” (July 27), it reflects the impressions of the reporter.

As the Russian foreign affairs ministry representative I visited Grozny several times accompanying foreign delegations, including observers from the Council of Europe.

The complicated process of restoring statehood and mopping up this integral part of the Russian federation from bandit units is in progress in Chechnya. The bandits have shown the world their true objectives. It was them who took hostages, including those from the international committees and teams like the Red Cross, and butchered the victims in cold blood. They are still chopping off the heads of innocent people, torturing and killing, spreading fear and death

The embassy can provide you with a videotape of atrocities committed by the bandits. You will find enclosed the latest report on the real situation in the Chechen Republic. A Kushakov, ambassador of the Russian federation to South Africa