SAPS intelligence chief not yet cleared to carry out his duties

Almost a month after acting police commissioner Lieutenant-General Lesetha Mothiba assured Parliament’s police portfolio committee that Major General Pat Mokushane promised the State Security Agency-issued security clearance as requested, he is “still waiting for a copy”.

When appearing before the portfolio committee in June this year, Mokushane used the opportunity to ventilate allegations around his lack of security clearance, and the unlawful appointment of his wife as his personal assistant.

Taken to task by members of parliament on why he would appoint a chief of intelligence without security clearance, Mothiba said “although it doesn’t take long [to acquire security clearance if you qualify for it], General Mokhushane has been very busy.”

Mokushane told MPs he had undergone the vetting process and did a polygraph test – part of the clearance requirements – about four years ago, and that his wife has been based in the unit’s technical support team for over four years.

Media reports this morning stated “Mokushane tried in vain to approach State Security minister David Mahlobo in a bid to have the vetting process abolished”, as he failed to provide basic documents. These include bank statements; tertiary qualifications and a copy of his matric certificate.

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Business Day is reporting that both Mahlobo and SAPS spokesperson Major-General Sally de Beer refused to comment on the matter, with the latter saying the issue is an “internal matter”.

Mokushane has previously worked as the SAPS head of intelligence operations in Gauteng.

There are unconfirmed reports that a security vetting panel meeting scheduled for July 4 to discuss Mokushane’s clearance was postponed at his insistence. Mokushane failed to respond to queries.

Mokushane also allegedly has a criminal record emanating from a violation of the National Road Traffic Act in 2002, as he was in possession of a stolen property in 1993 and was a “member in good standing of uMkhonto weSizwe (MK)”.

During the parliamentary appearance, the new intelligence informed MPs one of the reasons he wanted to restructure the unit was because it was bloated at management level, thus creating a vacuum at operational level. This created a situation where SAPS failed to gather information one could easily get at a “car wash, in any car-wash”.

Committee members had expressed concerns that the shifting of intelligence officers will cause a labour relations dispute between SAPS management and police union members. These concerns stem from Mokushane saying intelligence officers will be assigned to station level in areas of their choice.

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