Government today said President Thabo Mbeki and his delegation were not shot at while attending the 200th independence celebrations in Haiti last week.

"There was no danger whatsoever at any moment whilst we were in Haiti until we returned...it is quite clear it's a lie," explained Director-General in the Presidency Frank Chikane.

Dr Chikane addressed the media at the Union Buildings in Pretoria today about reports that President Mbeki's helicopter was shot at in Haiti.

Reverend Chikane explained that President Mbeki was stationed at Port-au-Prince, the Haitian capital, about 150 km from Gonaives where the shooting took place.

He also refuted reports that President Mbeki's advance team and motorcade were shot at.

"I sat in a briefing with the commander who was commanding that (helicopter) unit and there was no report about any helicopter being shot at, in fact the reports came from South Africa," he said.

Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Lindiwe Sisulu affirmed Rev Chikane's assertion.

"We would like to place on record that no South African helicopter was shot at, and not even a single shot was fired at the South African contingent in Haiti".

Rev Chikane added that opposition parties in Haiti that are calling for the resignation of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide assured the South African delegation of their commitment to a peaceful struggle.

President Mbeki visited Haiti to attend bicentenary celebrations of the island's independence.

Haiti was the first Black republic to declare its independence in January 1804 from French colonial rule.

Meanwhile, Rev Chikane implored the media to probe the source of information that 'disinformed' them so as to preserve the industry's integrity.

"If indeed a false report like that the President's life in danger can be put on the wires and hits the headlines in South Africa, which is totally false, then you should have interest in finding out," he said.

He explained that there was no need for government to conduct an investigation but the media was in a better position as they received such information from their source. –BuaNews.