Zuma-linked spy with ‘dubious’ past nominated as ambassador to Japan

An intelligence operative with a questionable past and close ties to President Jacob Zuma is tipped to become South Africa’s next ambassador to Japan.

News24 and Rapport reported on Sunday they had reliably learnt that the former head of special operations at the State Security Agency (SSA), Thulani Dhlomo‚ has been nominated for the top job by Zuma.

Dhlomo was also the head of counter intelligence at the SSA’s domestic intelligence branch.

His nomination comes in spite of his alleged involvement in tender corruption prior to his appointment as head of the SSA’s special operations unit in 2012.

He was suspended from the country’s spy agency last year.

“Japan is one of South Africa’s largest trading partners and the ambassadorship in this Asian country is one of the most sought after and best paid jobs in South Africa’s diplomatic structures.

“According to five independent sources within intelligence circles, Dhlomo was suspended last year over an alleged transgression apparently related to trips he had taken abroad.  However, soon after his alleged suspension, Dhlomo apparently returned to his position at the SSA.

“Dhlomo, who uses several diplomatic passports for his overseas travels, also goes by the name Silence Dlomo, according to border control records obtained by News24 and Rapport,” the report stated.

The 45-year-old is said to have resigned from the department of social development in KwaZulu-Natal after an investigation found he had interfered in tender procedures, Rapport reported.

The newspaper reported in 2016 that Dhlomo had authorised covert operations that benefited Zuma such as sourcing documents abroad which allegedly implicated the president in the arms deal scandal.

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