EXCLUSIVE: Top secret SSA report reveals US link to ANC
A “TOP secret” report, titled Intelligence Brief: US interest in ANC party dynamics, which was allegedly compiled by the South African State Security Agency (SSA), has revealed how the political office of the embassy of the United States of America in Pretoria is working with some of the top ANC leaders to influence policy direction in South Africa.
The Star’s sister paper, the Daily News is in possession of the highly classified intelligence report dated November 5, 2020 (referenced DMS: 10001242724).
The newspaper is today publishing part one of the report which will be followed by part two.
In the report, the SSA indicated that the document was a brief to inform the minister and deputy minister overseeing the SSA of the extent of the US collection efforts and outputs of the ANC, targeting certain individuals in the ruling party.
Furthermore, it revealed the US National Security Strategy had mandated US intelligence formations to “identify and assess capabilities, activities, and intentions of state and non-state entities and to develop a deep understanding of the strategic environment and to warn of future developments”.
“The Political Office of the US Embassy in Tshwane continues to gather information related to the ruling party, which is then sent to the US State Department. This brief confirms that the US Embassy is part of the US intelligence community, and has a network of ANC party officials who, wittingly or unwittingly, share privileged information,” read the intelligence report.
According to the SSA report, the US Mission in South Africa has, over the years, created a comprehensive network of contacts and sources, and these sources’ efforts have been successful in acquiring information for US intelligence.
The document also stated there was close co-operation taking place between the US diplomatic community and the US intelligence community in South Africa to guard and enhance US economic and political agendas in targeted countries like South Africa.
“Foreign intelligence actors continue to monitor policy conceptualisation that may be initiated in the ruling party, the ANC, as it pre-empts government policy formulation and implementation. The intelligence brief focuses on US interests as collected by the political office in the City of Tshwane,” read the report.
The report further revealed the US embassy had access to prominent high-profile leaders in ANC provincial structures which enabled the US to gain insight into sensitive party-political intelligence.
Briefing the government on the extent of the US’ interference in the country, the SSA informed the state it was aware the US had cultivated tangible intelligence within the ruling party. This was to either influence policy direction in South Africa or determine how it could be subverted.
“Government must therefore take note of the vulnerabilities in the ruling party and take steps in this regard,” read the intelligence report.
When the Daily News approached SSA spokesperson Mava Scott for comment, Scott questioned how the Daily News had accessed the “highly classified government information”.
“I will not say anything to you. Who gave you that report... We will hunt whoever leaked that document and charge that person,” Mava said.
Approached for comment, US Embassy spokesperson David Feldmann said this was not a US government document, and he was therefore unable to comment on it.
Quizzed on whether the US was working with prominent leaders within the ANC to spy on the party, the embassy did not comment.
The ANC’s national spokesperson, Pule Mabe, denied knowledge of the report and said the party had not been briefed by anyone about the document.
“I can confirm that no one in the leadership of the party structures was formally given this report or heard about it – maybe there were those who received it privately and never brought it to our attention,” Mabe said.