Mbalula hails action on illegal spying
FORMER police minister Fikile Mbalula has expressed delight at the government’s plan to take action against those who were allegedly involved in illegal intelligence activities.
Mbalula, who is now the ANC’s head of elections, made the comments as an affidavit surfaced which provided details on the surveillance of cabinet ministers, leaders of NGOs, judges and trade unions between 2015 and 2018.
This came days after the release of a report by a review panel, led by former minister Sydney Mufamadi, on the State Security Agency which found that there had been a serious politicisation and factionalisation of the intelligence community over the past decade based on factions in the ruling party.
Mbalula was not aware of the affidavit, which was deposed by an intelligence agent whose name has not been revealed.
He admitted to knowing he was spied on, saying the country and its citizens needed security.
“It does not need amateurs and clowns who think security entails chasing harmless citizens who probably have different political views on this or that,” he said.
Mbalula said the fact that President Cyril Ramaphosa’s administration was trying to clamp down on illegal acts meant the president should be given space. “I’m delighted – even now as matters come to a head, the reports we get are that the state is doing something, restructuring and ensuring we live up to the expectations of our citizens.”
Freedom Under Law chief executive Nicole Fritz, who was listed among those spied on, said the suggestion that her or her organisation warranted surveillance was disturbing.
“It reveals a frightening lack of judgment and common sense if those entrusted with our national security cannot recognise the lawful activities of public-interest agencies.
“It represents an unforgivable waste of resources and, ominously, reveals a deep-seated contempt for the Constitution and the human rights it guarantees,”she said.
The SACP added its voice to calls for action against all complicit in the abuse of state intelligence services.
It said the review vindicated the SACP, which was the first to expose corporate state capture and mobilise against it.
“The SACP reserves its right to lay criminal charges and make civil claims against those who violated the rights of any of its leaders through rogue, illegal intelligence activities,” the party said.
Private investigator Paul O’Sullivan, who was instrumental in getting the anonymous intelligence agent to depose the affidavit, said the review panel had gone far deeper than merely the contents of the affidavit.