The arrangement for South Africa's transition allowed even the spies from the old order to serve in the democratic state.

This was done in the hope of giving a second chance in life to these "spooks". However, if any of them are not prepared to change and are hanging on to the methods taught by the old apartheid regime, they have to be exposed.

I respect the process to investigate the director of public prosecutions Bulelani Ngcuka, but I do not doubt the view of liberation movement leaders, such as Mac Maharaj, who have unearthed many spies in the past.

The systematically consistent pattern with which Ngcuka has been targeting the ANC and its leaders is reminiscent of how the old regime conducted its dirty business.

The target is not the Democratic Alliance, which has opposed every piece of progressive legislation passed by the democratic state. Neither is it aimed at getting the whole truth about the arsenal of weapons of war pointed out by former Inkatha Freedom Party MPL Philip Powell.

The Scorpions as a state agency need to be respected. They also need to act impartially. The question is: besides its director, who else is part of its (the Scorpions') management?

Are they born-again democrats or "spooks" of the past? What credentials do these individuals have? Who are they?

Ngcuka must charge Deputy President Jacob Zuma if there is any case against him or clear him if there is none. The statement that charges are dropped but there is a prima facie case is unfortunate, to say the least. I also take exception to what is believed to have been said by Ngcuka - that the deputy president has surrounded himself with Indians. These remarks imply it is wrong to have people of Indian origin around one. Why? I do not know.

I hope Judge Hefer, as an individual, does pay allegiance to the constitution of South Africa. This is because most of the judges from the old order do not uphold the principles, the letter and the spirit of our constitution.

I also hoped that Judge Hefer will not be prejudiced by the fact that in the past he sentenced freedom fighters based on information from izimpimpi.

Fomer national police commissioner George Fivaz has not helped to clear Ngcuka as he desperately tried to. Instead, he has achieved the opposite. When Fivaz took over as national commissioner, were the files on apartheid spies still intact?

Biased media reports against our leaders will not triumph. Our strength is the masses of our people, not some pseudo political analysts of no consequence.

Nathi Mthethwa ANC provincial executive committee.

With acknowledgements to Nathi Mthethwa and the City Press.