Trio ‘try to muzzle’ top spy
The Commission of Inquiry into State Capture, chaired by Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, has heard how three ministers allegedly lodged a complaint against the inspector-general of intelligence, Setlhomamaru Dintwe, for disclosing information before a consultation process.
Dintwe told the commission this week: “The complaint came at the time that I was expecting their input because the way the consultation was done is that I provided the three ministers and the president with the full bundle and said that I am intending to disclose this information to the commission and I am trying to comply with [the Intelligent Services Oversight Act].”
The complaint was lodged by Police Minister Bheki Cele, Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and Minister of State Security Ayanda Dlodlo.
Led by evidence leader, advocate Paul Pretorius, on State Security Agency-related (SSA) evidence, Dintwe explained he had successfully completed the consultation process, notwithstanding the difficulty, and had a letter from the president to confirm it.
Dintwe had provided the full bundle of documents to the ministers and president and there was a set date when he was to receive input.
“On that date, instead of me getting the input, I then received three documents under the cover of a letter from the president.
“The president was informing me that he received complaints from the three ministers.”
Cele, Mapisa-Nqakula and Dlodlo would have each written their own complaints, but there was a commonality.
“[One complaint] was that I disclosed information before I consulted and the recommendation they were making to the president was that I should be suspended and obviously be removed from this position.
“That ... matter has been put to rest now, but not entirely.”
He also revealed that an attempt was made to limit his evidence.
“Yes, in a meeting between myself and the three ministers, which was a very hostile meeting ... the ministers were really fixated on the issue of the commission has ‘told you what they require of you’.” – News24 Wire