Whilst they were a genuine token of appreciation on our part, I suppose the gifts could have been construed as bribes, with some observers considering them to be the 'thin edge of the wedge'.
Ngenkathi beyisibonakaliso sokubonga okwangempela, ngicabanga ukuthi lezi zipho zazingenziwa njengezifumbathiso, kanti ezinye izibukeli ezizibheke ngokuthi 'zingaphansi komngcele'.