Publication: Independent Online Date: 2005-10-21 Reporter: Moshoeshoe Monare Reporter:

Top Spooks Suspended for Trailing Businessman

 

Publication 

Independent Online
Date

2005-10-21

Reporter

Moshoeshoe Monare

Web Link

www.iol.co.za

 

In a muddy and bitter political succession battle to control the African National Congress, the underground warfare that includes alleged abuse of state resources has claimed two senior intelligence officials.

Intelligence Minister Ronnie Kasrils this week suspended National Intelligence Agency Deputy Director-General Gibson Njenje and Bob Mhlanga, General-Manager: Counter-Intelligence, for allegedly placing politician-turned-businessman Saki Macozoma under illegal surveillance *1.

Macozoma has been punted as one of the heavyweights in President Thabo Mbeki's inner circle - a silent but influential lobby outside government in determining the succession outcome in 2009.

The latest suspensions come in the midst of the crisis in the ANC stemming from Jacob Zuma's dismissal as deputy president and the subsequent corruption charges against him - interpreted by Cosatu and the South African Communist Party as an attempt to stall his chances of becoming the ANC president in 2007 and of the country in 2009.

Zuma's lobby has always alleged the abuse of state resources to deal with Zuma, but the latest suspensions show that former ANC intelligence officers have split allegiances.

The Mercury can reveal that Njenje and Mhlanga are alleged to have unwarrantedly authorised that Macozoma be placed under "physical surveillance".

After Macozoma complained to Kasrils, the minister referred the complaint to the Inspector-General of Intelligence, Zolile Ngcakani.

Ngcakani, through his Chief Executive, Imtiaz Faizel, refused to give details of the nature of the complaint except to say investigations were ongoing.

"Complaints were received from a member of the public addressed to the minister regarding illegal conduct of intelligence," said Faizel.

However, The Mercury can confirm that Kasrils ordered the pair's suspension on Monday on the strength of Ngcakani's preliminary report.

Kasrils's spokesperson, Lorna Daniels, on Thursday confirmed that the Inspector-General had been asked to conduct an investigation into allegations of serious misconduct.

"The inquiry relates to compliance with the NIA policies governing the conduct of intelligence and is motivated by the need for the minister to ensure that civilian intelligence agencies perform their duties in terms of the constitution and the law.

"The minister confirms that two NIA officials have been suspended pending completion of due process. The ministry is not prepared to comment at this stage on the nature of the investigation, or reveal the identities of those suspended pending finalisation of this matter," she said.

It is not the first time that NIA officials have been caught up in the Zuma affair. During the Hefer Commission a witness, Litha Jolobe, testified that senior NIA manager Ricky Nkondo had put former transport minister Mac Maharaj in contact with him to try and find out about Ngcuka's past.

Ngcuka had complained at the time to then NIA head Vusi Mavimbela, accusing NIA agents of using dirty tricks to drive a wedge between him and then justice minister Penuell Maduna. The allegations were denied by NIA at the time.

The latest suspension of the two super spies is likely to cripple the NIA, which is still struggling to replace corporate deputy director-general Girly Majola-Pikoli.

NIA Director-General Billy Masetlha was also reported to be in the firing line after crossing swords with Kasrils over the intelligence agency's attempt to smear members of the Scorpions as foreign intelligence spies.

The controversial NIA submission, which was withdrawn from the Khampepe Commission, but leaked to a Sunday newspaper, was later disowned by cabinet.

The rift between Masetlha and Kasrils can be traced to when Masetlha summoned National Prosecuting Authority boss Vusi Pikoli, among others, to complain about the manner in which the unit had raided Zuma's residences and offices.

Masetlha also fumed that some of the Scorpions investigators had not been vetted by the NIA and were a security threat. His actions have been interpreted as a declaration that he believes that Zuma was treated unfairly, signalling a fallout with Mbeki.

However, despite intense speculation that Masetlha might lose his job, indications were that he might be given another lifeline.

With acknowledgements to Moshoeshoe Monare and Independent Online.


*1  Welcome to the club, Saki; although it's no too exclusive.