Durban - Umzinyathi (Dundee) Municipality mayor James Mthethwa has retracted and apologised for homophobic statements he made last week, when he said homosexual men were the cause of HIV spreading in Greytown and Dundee.
The comments were made at the launch of a community health programme in Dundee - where Mthethwa called for a clampdown on homosexuality and mooted the idea of a door-to-door campaign to educate people against homosexuality.
The Sowetan newspaper quoted Mthethwa as saying: “We are concerned about homosexuals and we are against it because it brings shame to our communities. This needs to stop before spreading to other places.”
Mthethwa’s remarks were apparently informed by a study conducted by the municipality which also found that married men were having sex with men.
Mthethwa initially denied he made the comments before the municipality issued an apology. The municipality, writing on his behalf, said Mthethwa wished to apologise and retract all statements to “those who were offended directly or indirectly”.
The Durban Gay and Lesbian Community Health Centre said the apology was inadequate as it was not from him, but released through the municipality.
Sibongiseni Khumalo, an activist at the centre, said they wanted a public apology from Mthethwa.
ANC spokesman, Zizi Kodwa had called for Mthethwa to withdraw the statements.
Daily News