Zizi Kodwa. Picture: Gallo Images
In what he has described as “wild allegations” against ANC MP Xiaomei Havard, Deputy Minister of State Security in the Presidency Zizi Kodwa has distanced the State Security Agency (SSA) from a report published in News24 referencing “a leaked intelligence report” that alleges “a high likelihood” of Havard sharing classified information about South Africa with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
Citing an intelligence report, News24 reported that the SSA’s counter-intelligence unit had flagged concerns over Havard’s links to China and its impact on national security.
Said Kodwa: “The agency has taken note and serious exception to the News24 exclusive article purporting that they are in possession of an SSA report alleging a finding of high likelihood of ANC MP Ms Xiaomei Havard to be spying for China.
The agency disassociates itself from this malicious falsehood perpetuated through the media platform to advance the ulterior motives of discrediting and undermining the integrity of the agency.
He said the SSA was aware of the “escalating information peddling by both unscrupulous members and external subversive forces who are deliberately and intensely peddling false information through disinformation and misinformation in order to harm the integrity of the agency”.
“The agency is governed by the Intelligence Services Act 65 of 2002 as amended and the National Strategic Intelligence Act 39 of 1994 as amended. These legal instruments have been designed not only to spell out the mandates of Intelligence, but also to preserve and protect its integrity and that of the citizens.
“We therefore condemn with the contempt it deserves the attack on the integrity of Ms Havard and the malicious portrayal of the Chinese government as hostile to South Africa’s national security.
Havard, said Kodwa, was “like any other South African, is entitled to the rights contained in our Bill of Rights as enshrined in the Constitution”.
He said South Africa continued to enjoy fraternal relations with China – “built through solidarity, trust and human dignity over years of difficulty facing South Africa and the continent”.
Guns blazing, an enraged Havard earlier also responded, promising to take legal action against News24.
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Said Havard: “I have never supplied any intelligence information to any Chinese intelligence agencies.
“I even do not know who those Chinese intelligence agencies are.
“Yesterday [Tuesday] I refused to do any interview with News24, but Jason Felix still published this article. I will take legal action.”
Havard said she was not deterred by her detractors “making all these kinds of serious allegation against me”.
Despite the allegations, Havard said she remained “very strong and resolute on my principles”.
“I firmly believe I can save this world through the blessing of God.
“Information in this article was originally sent through by one or two mafia groups within the Chinese community, where there are two big political factions, which earlier lost their campaign to discredit me.
“After I was elected as a public representative candidate in 2016, these two factions started fighting, also tried to kill each other.
“I was a middle person, not belonging to any faction.
“Three Chinese candidates lost in the Johannesburg local election, so every faction had finally balanced emotionally.
“Then, after I started my campaign for the MP position, these two factional groups continued to sabotage me again.
“They both did not want me in politics, in order to save their face and reputation.”
Havard said she was nearly sworn as ANC MP back in 2019.
“After they saw my name listed as number 98 in the ANC list, they brought someone linked to the Gupta Free State dairy farm – pushing my name out down to number 130.
“That was why I could not be sworn in as an MP after the national election.
“They have been following me for over five years since 2016.
“I know what they have been doing underground, but just kept quiet.
“When in 2016 I spoke publicly in the Chinese community newspaper, they kept quiet for a while.
“I can no longer tolerate them and be silent forever. I must defend myself through legal action.
“God saved me and saw all my sufferings, my contribution to communities and my love for SA during the past five years, leading to me being sworn in as MP.
“These two Mafia groups were so shocked after they saw me being sworn in.
“But they have not given up – telling others within the Chinese community that they will damage me, sabotage me till I am out of politics.
“This war is serious and more damaging.
“I daily pray to God to help me to fight this evil and punish them.”
She said the grouping intended to destroy her family and her business – “nearly making me bankrupt”.
The Chinese embassy – currently studying the News24 report – was not ready to comment.
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