New vehicles, homes and fake names for ‘special’ members

AGENT 3

MIDWAY through 2007, members were recruited — handpicked — from SARS and other external law enforcement agencies. Notable here are the DSO [Directorate of Special Operations], South African National Defence Force and SAPS.

Successful candidates were notified, and told to expect to be incorporated into a unit called Special Projects Unit to be headed by “Skollie”. SPU Members All members were informed that they should register new e-mail accounts and have private e-mails for communication purposes.

Skollie also instructed members to purchase new vehicles and acquire new, safe and secure residences as they would be well compensated and all would be getting car allowances. SPU members were also told by Skollie to register legitimate businesses which would serve as “cover” due to the fact that SPU members would be operating from their homes and would therefore attract attention.

Allocation of fake ID cards to SPU members

The members of SPU were instructed to create aliases or “cover” names to be used during operations.

All the members were issued with a high-quality ID card bearing the “cover” names and details. I still have the ID card that was issued to me.

These cards were later recalled and members were instructed to destroy them.

Skollie’s departure and the birth of the National Research Group

At some time, the team was called to an urgent meeting and informed that Skollie was no longer in charge. Some time in 2008, the team was informed that Johann van Loggerenberg would take over. When JVL came to the team, changes were made immediately.

Minutes were kept of every meeting.

JVL engaged with team members regularly and demanded compliance and adherence to matters of discipline and governance.

The team was instructed by JVL to start submitting weekly reports on everything of the unit. Mike Peega Mike introduced me to several high-ranking members of the ruling party. He always insisted that all the engagements were “above board”.

We once travelled to Polokwane and Joburg with Julius Malema, Fikile Mbalula and Pule Mabe. I was introduced to them by Mike. All this interaction was always reported to the unit’s management.

We were providing a service of close protection — bodyguards and drivers.

Once, at the Kyalami racetrack, another agent informed me that he was there working on his bodyguard business. He showed me his Audi with branding on the sides [with the name] of his company.

Tokyo Sexwale, Paul Mashatile, Julius Malema, Fikile Mbalula, Pule Mabe, Fana Hlongwane, Mabheleni Ntuli and Zizi Kodwa were among other dignitaries.

There were incidents where NRG team members “accidentally” met ruling party members at hotels or airports.

Mike Peega was acquitted of all poaching charges brought against him in the Nelspruit Court.