Johannesburg - Acting City Press newspaper editor Wally Mbhele published a front-page apology to National Director of Public Prosecutions Bulelani Ngcuka yesterday, saying evidence before the Hefer Commission has left little doubt that there is no credible substance to reports suggesting that he was or could have been an apartheid spy.

"The reports were based on information from seemingly credible sources and documents that, at the time, appeared to support the allegations concerning Ngcuka.

"Since then – after a full, exhaustive and ongoing investigation by the Hefer Commission – and from information that has surfaced from reluctant witnesses – it has become apparent that the information given to City Press at the time of publication was devoid of truth, contrived and misleading," Mbhele added.

"We apologise unreservedly to Ngcuka and his office, the NDPP."

The Hefer Commission resumes its public hearing into the affair in Bloemfontein today.

With acknowledgements to Sapa and the Cape Times.