In the Mail & Guardian of August 23 2002,a statement was made that the Semenya commission fingered advocate Seth Nthai over R5-million that was overspent on a building. This statement was not made by the journalist Donwald Pressley, but was included during the editorial process.
The statement was based on articles published in The Star newspaper. The Star has since published a correction notice.
The final report of the Semenya commission of inquiry states that although the building was procured on behalf of the Department of Safety and Security of which advocate Seth Nthai was MEC at the time, the negotiations for its purchase were conducted by the Department of Public Works.
Accordingly, although the commission found irregularities in the purchase of the building, advocate Seth Nthai was not involved or connected with these irregularities. The M&G is also advised that Nthai did not abuse state vehicles and accommodation while MEC for Safety and Security.