ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba has finally spoken about the controversial R12.5 million payment which he allegedly gave Prince Mashele on the completion of his biography.
The Sunday Times broke the story which has. divided South Africa in public opinion and Mashaba was yet to add his voice to the weight.
Mashele released the biography titled The Outsider: The Unauthorised Biography of Herman Mashaba.
It then emerged that he had received a payment from Mashaba for the book and now the ActionSA leader has noted that he deserved the R12.5 million.
Mashaba is one of the most iconic political voices in the country and he first made a name for himself when he was the mayor of Johannesburg.
Breaking his silence, Mashaba said he did not know why Mashele, who has since admitted to lying, denied having received funding for his book.
He was speaking to 702 radio presenter Clement Manyathela.
The book has since been withdrawn but according to the interview with Manyathela, it is set to be republished by the end of June 2023.
Speaking to Manyathela, Mashaba defended his decision to spend R12.5 million, stating he had experience negotiating as a successful businessman but felt that Mashele deserved it considering the work that went into its construction and production.
The book has widely received some rave reviews from those who have had the opportunity to read it.
Some political commentators have also changed on its contents.
But Mashaba himself openly admitted that the book was well researched and Mashele deserved the R12.5 million.
“One really needs to read that book to really look at the amount of work, traveling, following me, and so forth. Honestly, I feel like, as a black writer and so forth, why must I squeeze him for a cent? I fight for my cent, but sometimes you feel, ‘You know what? this guy deserves this.’ He will do a great job based on what he presented,” said Mashaba.
This would all but put an end to all the allegations and controversy which have been raised in the last few weeks.