Johannesburg - Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga said on Monday she was disappointed that a private conversation between her and First Rand Bank CEO Sizwe Nxasana was leaked to the media.
“We distance ourselves from this leak because it is a serious matter and we will approach the relevant security agencies to investigate,” Motshekga said in a statement.
“We apologies [sic] to Mr Nxasana for the mishap.”
The Sunday Times reported that Nxasana sent an SMS to Motshekga on Monday after a child called her “brainless” in one of its “You Can Help” videos.
“Good Morning Minister. I have instructed FNB to remove the video clips from their website this morning. I will investigate how and why the clips ended [up] on their website. Sincere apologies for this. Sizwe,” the SMS read.
The FNB campaign features a number of videos of children in school uniform reading their hopes for the country. Opposition parties and activist groups said the ANC's criticism of the campaign showed its intolerance.
FNB met with African National Congress leaders, including secretary-general Gwede Mantashe, on Thursday. The bank apologised to the ANC on Friday. - Sapa