Intelligence Minister Ronnie Kasrils has warned the public to beware of "sinister" hoax intelligence emails. This comes as the fallout concerning last week's spy scandal threatens to deepen the leadership crisis in the ANC.

It is understood that the fresh allegations that state organs - on both sides of the Zuma-Mbeki divide - unleashed against perceived enemies could make the management of the Zuma crisis in the divided tripartite alliance even more difficult, while further delays in reaching an agreement were now on the cards.

Sources indicated that the spying issue - and the latest allegations of email spying in the succession race - could come to a head at the ANC national executive committee (NEC) meeting next month.

The NEC meeting was scheduled to discuss a final report by President Thabo Mbeki and his axed deputy, Jacob Zuma, on how to jointly manage the crisis about Zuma's corruption trial.

But the ANC has since confirmed that the two leaders' deadline had been pushed back a month.

It comes as perceptions of a purge of Zuma supporters in state organs was under way, with three top spy bosses, including National Intelligence Agency (NIA) director-general Billy Masetlha - all allegedly Zuma sympathisers - being suspended last week for allegedly spying on Mbeki confidant and NEC member Saki Macozoma.

The suspensions have since been followed by claims that electronic communication, such as emails sent via the Government Communication and Information System, have been intercepted and that some of these messages indicate involvement by top civil servants in the succession war - to rid the ANC of "stumbling blocks" in the heated race.

Among the organisations said to be under such surveillance are the Scorpions, with claims that top NIA officials have files on their counterparts at the elite agency prosecuting Zuma.

"(The emails) are reminiscent of Stratcom operations during the apartheid era," said Kasrils, adding that they could cause damage if believed.

With acknowledgements to Christelle Terreblanche and The Star.