President Thabo Mbeki has terminated the services of suspended National Intelligence Agency (NIA) head Billy Masetlha with immediate effect. Briefing the media at Parliament following Cabinet's fortnightly meeting at Tuynhuys on Wednesday, government communications chief Joel Netshitenzhe said this followed Mbeki's determination that the relationship of trust between himself and Masetlha had irreparably broken down.
During its meeting, Cabinet had been briefed on the investigation by the Inspector General of Intelligence Services (IG) Zolile Ngcakani into the authenticity of allegedly intercepted "e-mail communication" among public figures. "The meeting noted the findings of the IG that these 'e-mails' were fabricated mock-ups that were not and could not have been communicated over the world-wide web. Overwhelming evidence, supported by independent expert testimony, points to the fact that the 'e-mails' and chat-room conversations were patently fraudulent," Netshitenzhe said.
Cabinet had agreed all relevant administrative, legal and policy issues deriving from the report should be followed up and, where required, Cabinet would be briefed on progress in this regard. The meeting was also informed that Mbeki had decided to terminate Masetlha's services with effect from Wednesday, March 22. "This decision, Cabinet was informed, derives from the President's determination that the relationship of trust between him and the head of NIA had irreparably broken down."
The IG and Intelligence Services Minister Ronnie Kasrils would brief Parliament's Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence, the management and personnel of the intelligence agencies, and the media on the details of the findings in due course, Netshitenzhe said. Masetlha would be paid out the balance of his contract, the extent of which was not known at this stage. Netshitenzhe would not be drawn on whether criminal charges, if any, would follow. The IG's investigation sought to establish the veracity and source of the e-mails.
Kasrils suspended Masetlha and two other senior officials last year, pending a probe into claims of "serious misconduct" allegedly related to the surveillance of politician-turned-businessman Saki Macozoma. The suspension of Masetlha, his deputy Gibson Njenje and NIA general manager Bob Mhlanga, followed an initial probe by the IG at Kasrils' instruction. This followed a complaint from a member of the public, believed to be Macozoma. The matter has been linked in the media to a succession battle in the African National Congress between Mbeki and former deputy president Jacob Zuma. Macozoma is said to be a Mbeki loyalist. The e-mails were purported to have been authored by top government officials and senior politicians.
Source: IoL
Showing posts with label Bob Mhlanga. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bob Mhlanga. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Thursday, November 10, 2005
NIA official held for 'abuse of resources'
A top National Intelligence Agency manager has been arrested in the latest clampdown aimed at cleaning up the spy organisation of those who allegedly abuse state resources for political objectives. He is the fourth top manager in the NIA to fall into the political quagmire that has already resulted in the suspension of its director-general, Billy Masetlha, deputy director-general Gibson Njenje and counter-intelligence chief Bob Mhlanga. This comes after ANC businessman Saki Macozoma was found to have been placed under illegal surveillance.
The Star was reliably informed that Funi Madlala, a manager in the NIA cyber unit, was arrested on Wednesday and appeared secretly in the Pretoria regional court. Because of the sensitivity of his case, which could amount to treason, his bail application hearing was held in camera. He was given bail of R3 000. It is believed that Madlala has either illegally intercepted email communications of top government officials, including in the presidency, or is a source of or had contributed to the fabrication of the hoax emails currently in circulation. Investigations into the veracity of the emails is continuing, but whether they are genuine or fake, intelligence agents will have to account if their interception or fabrication emanated from the NIA.
Intelligence inspector-general Zolile Ngcakani, who is conducting investigations into the origin of the emails and whether intelligence facilities or agents were used, has referred Madlala to the police, after evidence pointed to the fact that he allegedly knew about the emails or their origin. 'The nature of the offence relates to the withholding of information'
It is believed that Ngcakani is probing the entire cyber unit of the NIA and this has included examining computer hard drives of officials, including Madlala's. Sources told The Star Madlala was either working for or had allegedly colluded with Masetlha. Madlala apparently initially refused to co-operate with Ngcakani, withholding information from him after the inspector-general traced the hoax emails to one of his computer drives. His refusal to co-operate is a contravention of the Intelligence Services Act, which carries a five-year prison sentence.
Ngcakani referred his case to the South African Police Service. His office confirmed the incident but refused to give more details. Imtiaz Fazel, chief executive of the inspector-general, said: "A senior member of the National Intelligence Agency was charged and appeared in the Pretoria regional court this morning, the 9th of November 2005. He faces charges of contravening the disclosure provisions of the Intelligence Services Oversight Act (Act 40 of 1994). "These provisions relate to the unreasonable withholding of information (from) the inspector-general of intelligence which is required for the performance of his functions. Bail was not opposed and the member was released with stringent conditions attached to his bail. "The matter was adjourned pending further investigations. The nature of the offence relates to the withholding of information that is required by the inspector-general as part of his extended investigations into the legality of certain intelligence operations carried out by the NIA."
The arrest comes after an investigation by Ngcakani into the Macozoma surveillance, which was later widened to include the hoax emails that implicated several politicians, government officials and business people in an alleged conspiracy against embattled ANC deputy president Jacob Zuma.
Source: IoL
The Star was reliably informed that Funi Madlala, a manager in the NIA cyber unit, was arrested on Wednesday and appeared secretly in the Pretoria regional court. Because of the sensitivity of his case, which could amount to treason, his bail application hearing was held in camera. He was given bail of R3 000. It is believed that Madlala has either illegally intercepted email communications of top government officials, including in the presidency, or is a source of or had contributed to the fabrication of the hoax emails currently in circulation. Investigations into the veracity of the emails is continuing, but whether they are genuine or fake, intelligence agents will have to account if their interception or fabrication emanated from the NIA.
Intelligence inspector-general Zolile Ngcakani, who is conducting investigations into the origin of the emails and whether intelligence facilities or agents were used, has referred Madlala to the police, after evidence pointed to the fact that he allegedly knew about the emails or their origin. 'The nature of the offence relates to the withholding of information'
It is believed that Ngcakani is probing the entire cyber unit of the NIA and this has included examining computer hard drives of officials, including Madlala's. Sources told The Star Madlala was either working for or had allegedly colluded with Masetlha. Madlala apparently initially refused to co-operate with Ngcakani, withholding information from him after the inspector-general traced the hoax emails to one of his computer drives. His refusal to co-operate is a contravention of the Intelligence Services Act, which carries a five-year prison sentence.
Ngcakani referred his case to the South African Police Service. His office confirmed the incident but refused to give more details. Imtiaz Fazel, chief executive of the inspector-general, said: "A senior member of the National Intelligence Agency was charged and appeared in the Pretoria regional court this morning, the 9th of November 2005. He faces charges of contravening the disclosure provisions of the Intelligence Services Oversight Act (Act 40 of 1994). "These provisions relate to the unreasonable withholding of information (from) the inspector-general of intelligence which is required for the performance of his functions. Bail was not opposed and the member was released with stringent conditions attached to his bail. "The matter was adjourned pending further investigations. The nature of the offence relates to the withholding of information that is required by the inspector-general as part of his extended investigations into the legality of certain intelligence operations carried out by the NIA."
The arrest comes after an investigation by Ngcakani into the Macozoma surveillance, which was later widened to include the hoax emails that implicated several politicians, government officials and business people in an alleged conspiracy against embattled ANC deputy president Jacob Zuma.
Source: IoL
Sunday, October 23, 2005
The man who watches over SA's spies
The all-powerful inspector-general of intelligence, Zolile Ngcakani, bared his teeth this week. In a week when South Africa was rocked by allegations that senior intelligence officers had abused their official positions, Ngcakani came to the fore, acting decisively in an exercise designed to calm fears among citizens of this country.
In his first high-profile case, Ngcakani's work has led to the removal from office of three high-ranking intelligence officials: Billy Masetlha, Gibson Njenje and Bob Mhlanga. It took Ngcakani just under three weeks to investigate and present reports to Ronnie Kasrils, the intelligence minister, which showed that the National Intelligence Agency had undertaken illegal surveillance of Saki Macozoma, businessman and politician.
Ngcakani, who was appointed in January last year, could not have wished for a more high-profile case to highlight the work of his office. South Africa had been without an inspector-general for two years after the resignation of Faizel Kader. Kasrils uses superlatives when he speaks of Ngcakani. In introducing him to the media on Friday, the minister emphasised the power that the office of the inspector-general wields. "His role is to supervise the work of the intelligence community in toto, from the NIA, the South African Secret Service and the National Intelligence Co-ordinating Committee to crime and military intelligence. He ... can investigate any [cabinet] minister. He reports to parliament through the joint standing committee on intelligence," Kasrils said.
On the Macozoma probe, Ngcakani said his terms of reference were to investigate whether such an operation had taken place and whether it was authorised and done within the rules and regulations of the NIA. "Our findings were that the operation did take place in the manner Macozoma described. It was authorised by the deputy director-general [Njenje] and not disclosed to Kasrils. We found the operation was unlawful and illegal. Its legitimacy was not supported by intelligence information they had," Ngcakani said.
Kasrils was clearly angry that he had not been informed by Masetlha of the decision to put Macozoma under surveillance. He said the first time he knew about the matter was when Macozoma complained and subsequently submitted a lawyer's letter to back up his claim.
Ngcakani, 68, is no newcomer to intelligence. Between 1996 and 2001 he was head of ministerial services in the intelligence ministry. He provided management and administrative services in support of the ministry's role of control, supervision and superintendence of the intelligence services. During that period he led several commissions and task teams, such as one to review conditions of service for the intelligence community. Before that, he played a leading role in the establishment of a national communications centre, which provides secure communication services to government as well as an interception office.
Ngcakani is a highly qualified engineer. He has a master's degree in engineering science from the University of Western Ontario in Canada, as well as a master of science degree from the University of Nairobi in Kenya. He is also a water expert, having designed industrial waste water treatment facilities, and has provided advisory services on water quality and water pollution. Ngcakani's political career started at the University of Fort Hare in the late 1950s. He joined Umkhonto weSizwe, the armed wing of the ANC, and was subsequently based in Zambia and East Africa. He is married to Pulane and has five children - three girls and two boys.
Source: IoL
In his first high-profile case, Ngcakani's work has led to the removal from office of three high-ranking intelligence officials: Billy Masetlha, Gibson Njenje and Bob Mhlanga. It took Ngcakani just under three weeks to investigate and present reports to Ronnie Kasrils, the intelligence minister, which showed that the National Intelligence Agency had undertaken illegal surveillance of Saki Macozoma, businessman and politician.
Ngcakani, who was appointed in January last year, could not have wished for a more high-profile case to highlight the work of his office. South Africa had been without an inspector-general for two years after the resignation of Faizel Kader. Kasrils uses superlatives when he speaks of Ngcakani. In introducing him to the media on Friday, the minister emphasised the power that the office of the inspector-general wields. "His role is to supervise the work of the intelligence community in toto, from the NIA, the South African Secret Service and the National Intelligence Co-ordinating Committee to crime and military intelligence. He ... can investigate any [cabinet] minister. He reports to parliament through the joint standing committee on intelligence," Kasrils said.
On the Macozoma probe, Ngcakani said his terms of reference were to investigate whether such an operation had taken place and whether it was authorised and done within the rules and regulations of the NIA. "Our findings were that the operation did take place in the manner Macozoma described. It was authorised by the deputy director-general [Njenje] and not disclosed to Kasrils. We found the operation was unlawful and illegal. Its legitimacy was not supported by intelligence information they had," Ngcakani said.
Kasrils was clearly angry that he had not been informed by Masetlha of the decision to put Macozoma under surveillance. He said the first time he knew about the matter was when Macozoma complained and subsequently submitted a lawyer's letter to back up his claim.
Ngcakani, 68, is no newcomer to intelligence. Between 1996 and 2001 he was head of ministerial services in the intelligence ministry. He provided management and administrative services in support of the ministry's role of control, supervision and superintendence of the intelligence services. During that period he led several commissions and task teams, such as one to review conditions of service for the intelligence community. Before that, he played a leading role in the establishment of a national communications centre, which provides secure communication services to government as well as an interception office.
Ngcakani is a highly qualified engineer. He has a master's degree in engineering science from the University of Western Ontario in Canada, as well as a master of science degree from the University of Nairobi in Kenya. He is also a water expert, having designed industrial waste water treatment facilities, and has provided advisory services on water quality and water pollution. Ngcakani's political career started at the University of Fort Hare in the late 1950s. He joined Umkhonto weSizwe, the armed wing of the ANC, and was subsequently based in Zambia and East Africa. He is married to Pulane and has five children - three girls and two boys.
Source: IoL
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