Ramaphosa’s panel to review ‘spooks’ welcomed

A review panel appointed by President Cyril Ramaphosa which is expected to shine a light into the State Security Agency (SSA) darkness – where it seems to operate without accountability or direction – has been welcomed.

Gareth Newham, head of justice and violence prevention at the Institute for Security Studies, said: “It’s a good mix of skills and experience, with insights into the various aspects of intelligence. The role it plays in the broader capacity the state will need in order to tackle the challenges of crime, corruption, and so on. It’s a very welcome move.

“In 2008, the Matthews Commission produced Intelligence in a Constitutional Democracy, signed off by Joe Matthews, Dr Frene Ginwala, and Laurie Nathan.

“The report went into great detail about the shortcomings and problematic weaknesses in national intelligence and crime intelligence in the police,” said Newham.

“However, the report was never recognised by the Zuma administration so its recommendations were never acted upon.

“In fact, the opposite occurred. Instead of using the report to strengthen intelligence, ongoing interference by Zuma and his loyalists, and bad appointments to top positions in the police and security agency, resulted in far greater deterioration in their performance of their constitutional mandate and the abuse of their powers.”

The list is long: Siyabonga Cwele (his now ex-wife Sheryl was convicted of drug dealing), David Mahlobo (known to have associated with a rhino-horn trafficker before his appointment as minister), former crime intelligence head Richard Mdluli (on trial for kidnapping, assault, and defeating the ends of justice) and Berning Ntlemeza (excoriated by judges for being “dishonest, lacking in integrity, and dishonourable”).

Then there’s the firing of National Intelligence Agency director Gibson Njenje for refusing to cease spying on the Gupta family and the leaking by someone in crime intelligence of recordings of former Scorpions boss Leonard McCarthy talking to Zuma’s lawyer.

Also, don’t forget the attack on Ramaphosa a few months before the ANC elective conference in December by former Sunday Independent editor and Zuma apologist Steven Motale, allegedly using illegally obtained emails from Ramaphosa’s private account which was supposed to be used as a series of articles, which never materialised.

Not long thereafter, Motale threw his paper under the Nkosazana DlaminiZuma bus, which ended with Motale quietly leaving the paper when Ramaphosa was elected.

Allegedly Ramaphosa said it likely was “state agencies and resources being abused to promote factional political agendas”.

A recent symptom of the turmoil at the SSA was when former SSA director-general Arthur Fraser suspended inspector-general Dr Setlhomamaru Dintwe’s security clearance for investigating Fraser’s allegedly private “Principal Agent Network”, which apparently spent up to R1 billion of taxpayer’s money.

Police yesterday also confirmed the arrests of Major-Gen Pat Mokushane and Brigadier Manana Phetlhe for fraud, corruption and money laundering; Brig Tiyani Hlungwani for fraud; and Lt-Col Zandile Mokhushane (Mokushane’s wife), charged with money laundering.

The Presidency noted the main objective of the review panel was to assist in ensuring a responsible and accountable national intelligence capability for the country in line with the constitution and relevant legislation.

– news@citizen.co.za

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