South Africa P.I.G.: SCORPIONS

Showing posts with label SCORPIONS. Show all posts

SAPS 'Operation Destroy Lucifer'

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC41Fmko__WJ0xzNascTM-7PPNwWbVxemytaKxsrQHGGh7cTKJ1e5Jb8Z9FJ_Yj7HLAIoMC83Zm0LMMr9tV8gBqEaGCEBuBOlX-wKKr8rzRX31MUS-_8GEOYQgNzWPYTXgLN47wk_z3cU/s1600-h/jackieselebi.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349184677184609858" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC41Fmko__WJ0xzNascTM-7PPNwWbVxemytaKxsrQHGGh7cTKJ1e5Jb8Z9FJ_Yj7HLAIoMC83Zm0LMMr9tV8gBqEaGCEBuBOlX-wKKr8rzRX31MUS-_8GEOYQgNzWPYTXgLN47wk_z3cU/s400/jackieselebi.jpg" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 248px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" /></a>A news report has detailed the rot at the National Intelligence Agency where spies have illegally tapped phone conversations, surveilled ordinary citizens and controversially shared classified state information with people outside of the NIA. The paper reports the SAPS Operation Destroy Lucifer was used to intercept former Scorpions boss Leornard McCarthy’s calls and the evidence was later handed over to President Jacob Zuma’s lawyers and resulted in his corruption case being compromised. M&G editor Nic Dawes says he thinks Selebi intends to use similar recordings to prove he is a victim of a conspiracy ochestrated by former big wigs at the National Prosecuting Authority. A covert police operation and a related National Intelligence Agency project not only let Jacob Zuma off the hook, but also appear to have cut a destructive swathe through efforts to combat organised crime. A Mail & Guardian investigation of “Operation Destroy Lucifer” suggests that state intelligence capacity was used: * to spy on the National Prosecuting Authority; * to find out what evidence the Scorpions had on national police commissioner Jackie Selebi; * to try to “turn” key Selebi witness Glenn Agliotti; * to entrap Scorpions investigator Ivor Powell; and * to try to interfere in the battles between the ANC and the DA in the Western Cape. In addition, the operation seems to have had the effect of compromising Scorpions and NIA projects to penetrate Chinese crime syndicates linked to both Agliotti and Western Cape gang bosses. “Destroy Lucifer” is the South African Police Service crime intelligence operation that was used to justify the surveillance of former Scorpions boss Leonard McCarthy. Intercepts from it were leaked to Zuma’s lawyer, leading the NPA to abandon the Zuma prosecution. Details of what amounted to a war against the Scorpions have emerged from court cases around the country, and the M&G’s own inquiries. The Jiba case The M&G revealed in February that police had monitored McCarthy’s cellphone conversations. This emerged from the disciplinary hearing against a Scorpions prosecutor, Nomgcobo Jiba, suspended in November 2007 for helping police secure an arrest warrant for Gerrie Nel, the Scorpions head in Gauteng. A police task force arrested Nel on January 8 last year, at the height of the battle over the Scorpions’ attempt to charge Selebi, in an apparent bid to disrupt the Selebi investigation. In support of Jiba, Gauteng deputy provincial police commissioner Richard Mdluli -- a regional crime intelligence boss -- filed an affidavit in which he revealed that the police had bugged McCarthy. Mdluli alleged the interception of McCarthy’s conversations flowed “from a completely different investigation that was conducted against certain persons involved in drug dealing”, including, he claimed, McCarthy. The Zuma and Selebi cases More evidence about the monitoring of McCarthy emerged from revelations of his alleged consultations with former prosecutions chief Bulelani Ngcuka about the Zuma case. It was clear from limited transcripts released by the NPA that before and after the ANC’s December 2007 conference McCarthy was continuously monitored -- including in conversation with senior NPA colleagues, ministers and even former president Thabo Mbeki. After the Zuma case was dropped, police leaks to the media also disclosed the existence of taped conversations between McCarthy and Ngcuka -- and former deputy justice minister Johnny de Lange -- concerning the Selebi case. It was suggested that Selebi might use the tapes to block his own prosecution. City Press quoted an intelligence source as saying there were “mounds and mounds of tapes”, dealing with matters ranging from the Browse Mole investigation -- in which Ivor Powell featured prominently -- to “conversations on drug operations in the Western Cape”. It is understood that police have provided Selebi’s lawyers with 12 CDs of recordings. The same material has not been handed to the NPA, however, because of questions raised about the legality of the disclosures. While Selebi’s relationship with Agliotti is the focus of the Selebi case, the underlying context is Agliotti’s alleged involvement with organised crime, in particular with Chinese syndicates and their smuggling of drugs and cigarettes. One count against Selebi relates to a massive drug bust involving a container with mandrax hidden among boxes of tiles. Agliotti arranged transport for the container -- on behalf of a certain Mrs “Mommy” Chen -- and Selebi is accused of failing to act against him. The Mphego case: “Destroy Lucifer” unmasked The existence of an official police operation targeting the NPA -- and its bizarre title -- was only confirmed in May during the court appearance of acting SAPS crime intelligence boss Mulangi Mphego. Mphego’s advocate, Salie Joubert, told the Randburg magistrate’s court: “Mr Mphego is engaged in investigations against members of the [NPA] regarding abuse of office -- espionage, corruption, leaking of government information to newspapers, money laundering, blackmailing … So these charges are intended to suffocate this criminal intelligence investigation.” Joubert told the court that the investigation was codenamed “Destroy Lucifer” and that Gerrie Nel, Andrew Leask -- the prosecutor and lead investigator in the Selebi case -- were suspects, together with five other current and former NPA members. Mphego is charged with defeating the ends of justice, flowing from events in January 2008 when he and NIA director general Manala Manzini secretly obtained an affidavit from Glenn Agliotti, in which Agliotti recanted his previous evidence against Selebi. This happened when the Scorpions were poised to arrest the commissioner and Selebi used Agliotti’s affidavit as a major plank in efforts to have charges against him dropped. Nel, who is prosecuting Mphego, said it was strange to hear of a secret police operation in open court. He also revealed that NIA operations chief Arthur Fraser was also present at the secret meeting with Agliotti. Fraser’s presence suggests the attempt to “turn” Agliotti was an official operation, not a frolic by individuals -- though it is unclear if it formed part of “Destroy Lucifer”. The Ivor Powell case The police have declined to answer questions about “Destroy Lucifer” -- or name the other suspects. However, M&G investigations indicate Mphego himself authorised the bugging of McCarthy in terms of the “Destroy Lucifer” operation -- and that another “suspect” monitored was Cape Town-based Scorpions investigator Ivor Powell. A senior intelligence source told the M&G that McCarthy had been monitored at least since June 2006. Authorisation was obtained on the basis of investigating whether McCarthy, Powell and another senior NPA official, known to the M&G, were leaking information about police operations against Cape gangsters, particularly Igshaan Davids, a leader of the Americans gang. The timing of the decision to monitor McCarthy is significant. Concerns about “leaks” in the Western Cape seem to have emerged at the time the M&G revealed, in May 2006, that the Scorpions were investigating Agliotti and his relationship with Selebi and slain mining magnate Brett Kebble. Another Destroy Lucifer target appears to have been Robyn Plitt, the Scorpions investigator leading the Kebble probe at the time. A special police team arrested Powell on January 22 last year -- days after charges against Nel were withdrawn following his dramatic arrest. The reasons given were that Powell was driving over the alcohol limit and that he was picked up because police wanted to apprehend Davids, who was in Powell’s car. However, M&G information indicates that Powell was set up by a registered crime intelligence informer, Franklin Gray, who attended an earlier meeting between Powell and Davids. It is understood that Powell was attempting to recruit Davids as a source and that the gang leader had information about networks linking Western Cape and Gauteng drug and abalone syndicates, which could have had a bearing on the Selebi inquiry. The Philip du Toit case -- and the mysterious Mr Lau Central to understanding the operation of the syndicates is the role of the local Chinese mafia, who dominate access to ephedrine, used in the manufacture of the drug Tik. Currently under way in the Atlantis regional court is a remarkable case against NIA source Philip du Toit. Du Toit penetrated the some of the same organised crime networks to which Igshaan Davids had access -- including getting close to Stanley Lau, wanted by the Chinese authorities since 2003 for his alleged involvement in shipping nearly four tonnes of mandrax to South Africa. The SAPS -- including an officer who the M&G was told was the Western Cape point man for “Destroy Lucifer” -- played a key role in arresting and unmasking Du Toit as an NIA agent. Du Toit, who faces charges relating to illegal abalone, was recruited as an NIA agent precisely because of his access to Chinese syndicates. Skilled in electronic surveillance, he was formally registered by the NIA on January 31 2007, even though he had already been arrested twice in connection with abalone smuggling. On September 2007 the police, led by crime intelligence, raided his home and arrested him again. This time there were suggestions that police were really looking for surveillance records implicating Cape Town mayor Helen Zille in illegal spying on controversial councillor Badih Chaaban, and other tapes rumoured to exist that would embarrass then-premier Ebrahim Rasool and provincial commissioner Mzwandile Petros. At his bail hearing, Du Toit was outed as a NIA agent and on September 26 he was deregistered and cut loose by NIA, which had earlier negotiated with the Scorpions to take over Du Toit as their agent. Attempts by two Scorpions members to salvage Du Toit’s position led to them being temporarily arrested by the police. What is clear is that he was lost as a unique intelligence asset operating at the heart of the Western Cape underworld. What is also clear, according to one former Scorpion, is that as soon as he took office as commissioner in 2000, “Selebi was determined to take out the Scorpions”. It seems “Destroy Lucifer” -- also launched in 2000 -- was designed to achieve that.

SAPS 'Operation Destroy Lucifer'

A news report has detailed the rot at the National Intelligence Agency where spies have illegally tapped phone conversations, surveilled ord...

11:03 AM

Spooks haunt our democracy

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTyXj3JY4cRaMjkTJnmvoAepfK2LiBOYuZ4214lnk1mbhFqsYi40RSOJF-XxWmRXF65xLkltMtqtKBNjInwK9TjVB8qBSv3lclt7eFJPBN3hgVdmxUDdNQUotubqyz6mkZjpYaeryX-H3s/s1600-h/zuma-malema-me.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338622424059461810" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTyXj3JY4cRaMjkTJnmvoAepfK2LiBOYuZ4214lnk1mbhFqsYi40RSOJF-XxWmRXF65xLkltMtqtKBNjInwK9TjVB8qBSv3lclt7eFJPBN3hgVdmxUDdNQUotubqyz6mkZjpYaeryX-H3s/s400/zuma-malema-me.jpg" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 299px" /></a>Nothing demonstrates the power of secret information more starkly than the withdrawal of corruption charges against President Jacob Zuma. The leaking of intercepted communications of Scorpions boss Leonard McCarthy revealed how partisan to Thabo Mbeki’s cause he had become and gave the National Prosecuting Authority a reason to abandon the case against Zuma. But the revelation of the McCarthy intercepts, showing that the intelligence services effectively spied on their own president, are merely the most blatant manifestation of the pervasive influence of spies on our politics. The issue of who is more guilty of abusing the security services is still a matter of fierce contestation. That much is clear from our ground-breaking interviews with former intelligence minister Ronnie Kasrils and the man he sacked, former National Intelligence Agency (NIA) boss Billy Masetlha. They were two of the most important protagonists in the secret (and not so secret) war that had gripped the nation ever since then national director of public prosecutions Bulelani Ngcuka and his Scorpions became both a vehicle of and a target in the battle between the Mbeki and Zuma factions of the ruling African National Congress (ANC). The clouds had already gathered around the Hefer Commission in late 2003 -- a piece of political theatre supposed to vindicate Ngcuka and humiliate those accusing him of having been an apartheid spy -- Mac Maharaj and Moe Shaik. Instead the commission exposed the political impact of spies and spying as well as the way our security services might be abused despite their constitutional fig leaf. After the 2004 election Mbeki conducted a mini-purge of the security services. Out went intelligence minister Lindiwe Sisulu, in came Kasrils. Out went NIA director general Vusi Mavimbela, in came someone perceived as a reliable Mbeki loyalist: Masetlha — a remarkable error of judgement. By August 2005 Masetlha was deeply embroiled in the “hoax email” saga. The emails were a bizarre concoction of fact and fantastic misinformation for which Masetlha still disowns responsibility. They purported to be intercepts of communications among Mbeki’s most prominent backers -- businessman Saki Macozoma, Kasrils, then deputy president Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka and her husband Bulelani -- involving themselves with the Scorpions in an anti-Zuma plot. By October 19 2005 Masetlha had made an official report to Mbeki, providing the president with the “real” evidence about the anti-Zuma conspiracy. Masetlha was suspended the next day and later dismissed, after an investigation by the inspector general of intelligence accused him of misusing his powers to launch a politically motivated intelligence operation. The so-called Zuma tapes have been leaked and provide some backing for Masetlha’s version. Both Kasrils and Masetlha claim to have acted in the national interest. Each, in effect, accuses the other of serious misuse of the security architecture to promote narrow and illegitimate political and financial interests. Both men reveal events and attitudes that should cause concern. Kasrils’s admission that he vigorously engaged with McCarthy over the timing of the decision to recharge Zuma will add to perceptions of the political management of the whole case. Masetlha’s emphasis on the re-purification of the ANC as an antidote to the seductions of power appears naïve at best. Untangling the truth about the abuses of core state institutions is vital, because this saga has struck at the foundations of our constitutional order. We have allegations of the manufacture of evidence; the influencing of and the spying on judges; the suborning of the national interest by foreign intelligence services. Closer to home, it appears that journalists on this newspaper have been the targets of dirty tricks — simply because they were doing their jobs by investigating corruption and abuses of power. Getting to the truth is all the more important because the architecture of spying is more powerful than ever. Given the experience of the last few years one might expect policy-makers to be thinking about curbs on the intelligence agencies. Instead we now have a Ministry of State Security, we have a new Leonard McCarthy in the shape of Anwa Dramat — and key ANC strategists are saying that our national levels of lawlessness demand greater security encroachment, not less. The temptation will be for the victors in these spy wars to simply appropriate for their own ends the tools supposedly abused by their predecessors. One former senior intelligence official told the Mail & Guardian this week: “Intelligence is juicy to know; it’s addictive, it feeds the ego of the client. If that client has an addictive personality, then you’re doomed.” It seems clear that this is a national addiction, thriving as much in the Zuma camp as it did under Mbeki.

Spooks haunt our democracy

Nothing demonstrates the power of secret information more starkly than the withdrawal of corruption charges against President Jacob Zuma. Th...

5:04 AM

'A dark day for SA'

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFmyXQBLgteFiFgrMHDl4U7daT1upj2NSN1N2brddAsQ4NtazZdfvM3Dk3hfEA4-m3iOBDYvoVONztiSJ-zEz-rRG_18YrLuRqLkhAZWCQz4BUHAEqA6XgAT3ht7xbRVPN3x1VlIhy2rA/s1600-h/justifiestheftsa.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297370254210199922" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFmyXQBLgteFiFgrMHDl4U7daT1upj2NSN1N2brddAsQ4NtazZdfvM3Dk3hfEA4-m3iOBDYvoVONztiSJ-zEz-rRG_18YrLuRqLkhAZWCQz4BUHAEqA6XgAT3ht7xbRVPN3x1VlIhy2rA/s400/justifiestheftsa.jpg" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 291px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 386px" /></a>Cape Town - President Kgalema Motlanthe's decision to enact the legislation disbanding the Scorpions marks a dark day in South Africa's democracy, opposition parties said on Friday. But in stark contrast, the move was welcomed by ANC alliance partner the Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu). Motlanthe's decision would have lasting ramifications for the rule of law, judicial independence and the effectiveness of crime-fighting institutions in South Africa," DA spokesperson Dianne Kohler-Barnard said. "This decision, taken in complete defiance of public opinion, marks a dark day in our short democratic history," she said. The presidency confirmed earlier on Friday, that Motlanthe had approved the two bills. Spokesperson Thabo Masebe said the president had approved the SA Police Service Amendment Bill and the National Prosecuting Authority Amendment Bill. Kohler-Barnard said it was as clear as day that this decision had been taken for reasons of political expediency, in a bid to save the careers of corrupt ANC politicians in government, and to advance the closed patronage society that ANC president Jacob Zuma and his allies "seem so intent on building". "The President's decision to disband South Africa's most successful crime-fighting unit will, in the years to come, be remembered as a defining moment for the ANC," she said. Velaphi Ndlovu of the Inkatha Freedom Party, said the move once again showed the extent to which the ANC would go to push its own agenda, against the wishes of most South Africans. "From the start, the disbandment of this elite unit has had very little to do with bolstering our fight against crime, and everything to do with a political vendetta against them," he said. The ANC was guilty of abusing power and undermining democracy, he said. "In spite of all the ruling party's talk about democracy, our Republic is at risk, as the ANC continues to fail in separating its own interests from those of the state. "It attacks the judiciary when it pleases, abuses the state broadcaster for its own purposes, and for a decade now has filled our front pages with endless stories of scandal and corruption. "If not stopped now, this degeneration will have gone too far to redress," Ndlovu said. However, Cosatu spokesperson Patrick Craven said the decision was an important victory for Cosatu, which had for several years been demanding that "this force" be disbanded. The Scorpions had evolved into a separate "elite" force which was not sufficiently accountable. "Its units were being redirected from the fight against organised crime to political campaigns against targeted individuals. It became a law unto itself and undermined the legal rights of those they were investigating," he said. "We shall oppose against any tendency within the SAPS to adopt the Scorpions' bad practices and political bias into its ranks, and shall not hesitate to criticise them if any of their officers abuse people's constitutional and human rights," Craven said.

'A dark day for SA'

Cape Town - President Kgalema Motlanthe's decision to enact the legislation disbanding the Scorpions marks a dark day in South Africa...

12:06 AM

FBI to help SA fight crime

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbBT_X_H6s-iyU3E_1rMaxhQKUpCfj6yuI0725S7r2Uy_D0jRIogUP_avy9Zgwrqo98T_zgv-Y7amw3HFLwQr3PIYP7agPfaugfziOVCGlqE7E00Iala6u1ZIDckxyQ_t9qFy_Evc_uUA/s1600-h/CIA-SCORPIONS.bmp"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269003841904562594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbBT_X_H6s-iyU3E_1rMaxhQKUpCfj6yuI0725S7r2Uy_D0jRIogUP_avy9Zgwrqo98T_zgv-Y7amw3HFLwQr3PIYP7agPfaugfziOVCGlqE7E00Iala6u1ZIDckxyQ_t9qFy_Evc_uUA/s400/CIA-SCORPIONS.bmp" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 394px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" /></a>The American Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is to assist South Africa in fighting crime, the US Ambassador to South Africa, Eric Bost, has confirmed. This comes after an ANC delegation - including ANC president in waitng Jacob Zuma, visited the US at the invitation of the American government at the end of October. During the week-long trip, Zuma met with US government officials and other organisations. The purpose of the visit was to strengthen ties and discuss areas of further co-operation. Zuma also spoke at the Council of Foreign Relations in Washington DC. One of those meetings was with the FBI, to discuss what assistance it can give to support South Africa's efforts to address crime. Bost outlined how crime is a threat to the country. Not only is it unpleasant, but it also compromises investment and tourism, especially ahead of 2010, he said. Bost also recounted how he had met with former safety and security minister Charles Nqakula over two years ago, and had offered the US government's support in fighting crime. "I told him crime was a real challenge for South Africa, why don't you tell me what you need, it won't cost you anything." Bost said he had offered training and other assistance, but had never received an answer. "But our meeting with the FBI went very well, and we are now well on our way to provide support. We've wasted two-and-a-half years, so we want to work on this." The FBI has already assisted in training South African police on how to handle terrorism financing and money laundering ahead of the 2010 Fifa World Cup. Bost also said that the US sees South Africa as an important strategic partner, and it is important to strengthen the relationship with South Africa, adding that Zuma also sees this as an important strategic relationship.

FBI to help SA fight crime

The American Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is to assist South Africa in fighting crime, the US Ambassador to South Africa, Eric Bost...

1:43 AM

NPA officials suspended, others facing criminal charges

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjv5kw1m3rCj0MzSZasf319gbt1iGMEjHVbqpLO2lfmRxunIb6wxG1R-A0I2BtWLjK99rywpscbVjkEBzeKnGPrS3e-gPuWGCcqEsCdVP79XPKOVLQ5e15f8pt346rzlhSdYtpV8IfAFc/s1600-h/law_supremecourt_1006.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261427325669645202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjv5kw1m3rCj0MzSZasf319gbt1iGMEjHVbqpLO2lfmRxunIb6wxG1R-A0I2BtWLjK99rywpscbVjkEBzeKnGPrS3e-gPuWGCcqEsCdVP79XPKOVLQ5e15f8pt346rzlhSdYtpV8IfAFc/s400/law_supremecourt_1006.jpg" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" /></a>The auditor-general, Terence Nombembe, has slammed the National Prosecuting Authority after uncovering widespread tender-rigging and financial irregularities involving more than R500-million. The unlawful expenditure was uncovered during a routine audit of the NPA’s finances. Nombembe has now ordered a “full-scale” investigation into the awarding of tenders in the NPA. The Sunday Times has established that several NPA officials have been suspended while others are facing criminal charges for tender-rigging and taking bribes from service providers. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW1E0f3CitpazsPB05ywhiHmy1lzL8QlYaRgGWJT99BLYU1JyQtYpMBVmLlpYQ-9b4c094QVjKfWUwv4_vIkrFN6OK_YL-uVyK0tE1MIPI3M2d9pBJnxZKi_O-n_4GOC69_Yq64ZCCF3o/s1600-h/Tlali+Tlali"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261426484750927570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW1E0f3CitpazsPB05ywhiHmy1lzL8QlYaRgGWJT99BLYU1JyQtYpMBVmLlpYQ-9b4c094QVjKfWUwv4_vIkrFN6OK_YL-uVyK0tE1MIPI3M2d9pBJnxZKi_O-n_4GOC69_Yq64ZCCF3o/s400/Tlali+Tlali" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 175px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 196px" /></a>A senior NPA official confirmed that the Specialised Commercial Crimes Unit, which forms part of the NPA, is conducting its own investigation. Some officials could face criminal charges within weeks. Some NPA officials have resigned in the wake of the investigation, which comes at a time when the NPA is under pressure from the ANC for pursuing its president, Jacob Zuma. This week parliament voted to disband the Scorpions. NPA spokesman Tlali Tlali In a report to parliament, Nombembe said he had decided to conduct a “full-scale” investigation because of “possible fraudulent activities”. Nombembe said that because of the extent of the irregularities he could not even express an audit opinion on the NPA’s financial statements. The NPA, Nombembe said, had disclosed an amount of R423-million in irregular expenditure in the year to March 2008. Audit evidence obtained by the auditor-general showed that the R423-million figure had actually been “understated by a potential R86-million”. The Sunday Times has established that the R86-million irregular expenditure included R30-million given to a company to conduct surveillance operations on behalf of the NPA. The NPA has an annual budget of R1.8-billion. In the report, Nombembe said his audit had found complete disregard of the law in the NPA in the awarding of tenders. Listed among the irregular tenders were: <ul><li>R54-million worth of tenders to various consultants, including forensic auditors and intelligence companies, to help the Scorpions with their investigations; </li><li>R66-million paid to the rental company, Rentworks, to rent vehicles; </li><li>An R11-million tender awarded to a security and intelligence company in KwaZulu-Natal. Three NPA officials have been suspended for taking kickbacks from the company; </li><li>R62-million paid to a facilities management company for the NPA’s headquarters in Silverton, Pretoria; </li><li>An additional R35-million paid to the same facilities management company for services not in terms of the contract; and </li><li>Tenders worth R113-million approved without proper delegation of powers. </li></ul>According to the auditor-general’s report, the NPA flouted the law by awarding tenders to suppliers who did not qualify and were not on the approved database of suppliers. In some instances the NPA deviated from regulations by awarding contracts worth millions of rands to service providers without putting the contracts out to tender. Some contractors were appointed and paid millions despite not having been approved by the “authorised official”. The auditor-general also took a swipe at the NPA for failing to account for criminal assets forfeited to the state. He said the NPA unit responsible had “failed to disclose forfeiture assets and monies from confiscation and forfeiture orders in the financial statements”. NPA spokesman Tlali Tlali had not responded to written questions at the time of going to press.

NPA officials suspended, others facing criminal charges

The auditor-general, Terence Nombembe, has slammed the National Prosecuting Authority after uncovering widespread tender-rigging and financi...

3:34 AM

Police 'crime-busting unit' to replace Scorpions?

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP-zc012fwf8FOu5_qgpYG7p8VXBpVXpL1BZ7Rw2wJsR9ecoyiygiHDNtUOcgpyJJ5_TRs10kjq9bqzAUCmDglTSYJ4jz2he3VyPRjPlCdcWje5rPwHDJoV-Nw2S826vpkzxtu8FexTdc/s1600-h/crime+busting+unit.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253302142632268210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP-zc012fwf8FOu5_qgpYG7p8VXBpVXpL1BZ7Rw2wJsR9ecoyiygiHDNtUOcgpyJJ5_TRs10kjq9bqzAUCmDglTSYJ4jz2he3VyPRjPlCdcWje5rPwHDJoV-Nw2S826vpkzxtu8FexTdc/s400/crime+busting+unit.jpg" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> A Brief History of the Scorpions (from 1999 till yesterday) In June 1999, president Thabo Mbeki announced that “a special and adequately staffed and equipped investigative unit will be established urgently, to deal with all national priority crime, including police corruption”. In September 1999 The Directorate of Special Operations was set up, with the first director Frank Dutton. Soon, the Scorpions became notorious for their raids of houses of high-ranking politicians within the ANC Party. Following investigations of alleged corruption in case of the South African Arms Deal, raids were commenced at the houses of Deputy President Jacob Zuma, former Transport Minister Mac Maharaj and Durban businessman Schabir Shaik. After the conviction of Shaik on 8 June 2005, the Scorpions raided his house again on 18 August. This time it was part of a couple of raids in investigation for the corruption trial of Zuma, which started in October 2005. Raids were also conducted at houses of Jacob Zuma himself. These raids were heavily criticized by COSATU, accusing that the NPA and the judicial system are capable of being manipulated and influenced to take biased political decisions and actions. Just a few days before the raids, the COSATU had asked the government to drop charges against former Deputy President Jacob Zuma and to reinstate him. The DSO pioneered a new approach, which combines intelligence, investigation and prosecution. With the DSO’s success in high-profile cases, public confidence grew in the Directorate’s ability to impact on organised crime. Money laundering and racketeering were added to its priorities and the DSO succeeded in obtaining the first-ever convictions for racketeering in South Africa. By February 2004, the DSO had completed 653 cases, comprising 273 investigations and 380 prosecutions. Of the 380 prosecutions, 349 resulted in convictions, representing an average conviction rate of 93,1%. After allegations of corruption, the ANC decided to merge the Scorpions with the Police by June 2008, reducing their power. The disbandment was recommended by South Africa’s minister of safety and security, Charles Nqakula. Where are we now? The ANC wishes to incorporate the Scorpions into SAPS, thus robbing the people of South Africa from a truly independent agency that has proved a very effective protector of our tax bucks. “The view that the government is disbanding the Scorpions to protect ANC members is given further credence by the fact that the Speaker of Parliament, Baleka Mbete, has announced that she will hurry the legislation through Parliament by June this year. This calls into question her ability to carry out her parliamentary role impartially while holding high political office in the ruling party” Helen Zille DA “A clear political pattern is emerging - institutions and bodies that pose any kind of formidable obstacle to the exercise of unbridled power are attacked and undermined by politicians in the ANC. This applies not only to the Scorpions, but also to the judiciary and the media. The freedoms, equality and dignity guaranteed to all our people in our constitution are being undermined. The proposed disbanding of the Scorpions must be seen for what it is: an unscrupulous attempt to centralise naked power in the hands of ANC politicians and their cadres deployed in the management echelons of the police. It is in the interests of preserving democracy and the values enshrined in our constitution to vigorously resist in every lawful way, politically and legally, the dissolution of the Scorpions.” Professor George Devenish, Durban <a href="http://www.thetimes.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=855202">NPA’s conviction rate at 85.9%</a><a href="http://www.thetimes.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=704496">Scorpions will be disbanded - Nqakula</a><a class="newshead" href="http://www.thetimes.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=855265" target="_parent">Police to build crack crime-fighting unit </a>

Police 'crime-busting unit' to replace Scorpions?

A Brief History of the Scorpions (from 1999 till yesterday) In June 1999, president Thabo Mbeki announced that “a special and adequately st...

11:44 PM

ANC vindicated as CIA admits to controlling Scorpions, inventing Aids

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiqDRvaZ7i35e8oqDjsGoHTRy56e7lODBXn-78IAUZdEGpGfJPwcoqlwoE7xvZZwc3UY6Nee9jPG9YfXe7iCkI2zT3j3gMsmGcAHmixfnE0tdgefDhfQRdDHr_mV6_NVuXSc5OCJV6_ao/s1600-h/cia3.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234757556213939618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiqDRvaZ7i35e8oqDjsGoHTRy56e7lODBXn-78IAUZdEGpGfJPwcoqlwoE7xvZZwc3UY6Nee9jPG9YfXe7iCkI2zT3j3gMsmGcAHmixfnE0tdgefDhfQRdDHr_mV6_NVuXSc5OCJV6_ao/s400/cia3.jpg" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> <a href="http://www.hayibo.com/">www.hayibo.com</a> DURBAN. The U.S.'s Central Intelligence Agency has admitted to allegations levelled against it by ANC supporters in KwaZulu-Natal, conceding that it is controlling the Scorpions crime-busting unit and that it invented Aids. It added that it had been "totally outwitted" by the ANC cadres who made the allegations at public hearings over the fate of the Scorpions. The hearings, currently being held nationwide to give South African citizens a say in whether or not the Scorpions should be disbanded, are called 'Why We Are Disbanding The Scorpions', and the ANC says the Durban sessions have been exceptionally well attended. It denied that the turnout was directly proportional to the quantity of free finger snacks available at each venue. The controversy erupted this week when delegates were widely quoted in the national media as calling for the dismantling of the Scorpions on the grounds that the elite investigative unit was being controlled by the CIA, and that the American spy agency had also invented Aids to decimate Africa. They said that the accusations were based on "extensive evidence" gleaned from pamphlets ordered off the Internet, as well as the testimony of local teenager Tampax Balindlela who had been visited in a dream by a talking frog who had told her of the CIA's involvement. Experts had expected the CIA to rubbish the claims, but this morning the Washington-based agency conceded that both allegations were true. "We don't know how these simple people uncovered the truth, but they did," CIA director Theodore Machiavelli told journalists this morning. He grudgingly praised the KwaZulu-Natal ANC's members for their "incredible ability to join dots, even when those dots weren't on the same page, or weren't even dots to start with." "Many people would stop and think: why would the CIA want to control the Scorpions? Surely we've got more pressing issues to address than a grubby power struggle between two grubby factions struggling for control of a grubby little country that has no strategic interest to the United States? "Likewise many would ask why, if we wanted to decimate Africa, we would invent a disease like Aids, which is difficult to transmit and takes years to kill its victims. "Why wouldn't we just put contraceptives in the water supply, or release an airborne strain of Ebola into the air-conditioners at OR Tambo International?" But, he added, the ANC's supporters had "looked beyond logic, probed beyond facts, searched beyond common-sense, and used organs other than their brains" to unearth the truth. Asked why the CIA had invested so much time and effort in destroying South Africa's institutions, Machiavelli said that it was because the agency was "just plain evil". Meanwhile the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal has welcomed the admission, and has called for Tampax Balindlela to be given an honorary degree in the Humanities and a lifetime supply of ANC-themed peak caps. 'CIA behind Scorpions Aids' : expert <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3GPS9XmjKQ1u0-lgS2RqftB6lyTBec8xeHNoEkXwhQPm7lq3zZqQvaiaLnLaZbAow14orF7SE2Ve1wGxrJc5cVKhK1YvbvKATKckns6t87igv97SxJ9RSzatyliR_26c1GbKWRjPjOw8/s1600-h/SCORPIONS.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233800554081381778" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3GPS9XmjKQ1u0-lgS2RqftB6lyTBec8xeHNoEkXwhQPm7lq3zZqQvaiaLnLaZbAow14orF7SE2Ve1wGxrJc5cVKhK1YvbvKATKckns6t87igv97SxJ9RSzatyliR_26c1GbKWRjPjOw8/s400/SCORPIONS.jpg" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><a class="header" href="http://www.iol.co.za/" target="blank" title="Independent Online">Independent Online</a>British intelligence organisation MI5 and the United States' Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) are the masters of South Africa's elite crime fighting unit, the Scorpions, a public hearing into their dissolution heard in Durban on Tuesday. Sam Kikine, the head of the International Traditional and Medicine Research Council, accused these two organisations of controlling the Scorpions. "Why have the Scorpions not investigated [chemical warfare expert] Wouter Basson and the CIA who have created this Aids? The Scorpions are working for MI5 and the CIA and not for South Africa," he told the hearing at the Umlazi Indoor Sports Complex. Kikine claimed that the Scorpions were loaded with apartheid era "special branch" operatives, who had also been responsible for the death of activist and lawyer Griffiths Mxenge, who was assassinated in 1981. See full story: <a href="http://www.iol.co.za/widgets/rss_redirect.php?artid=nw20080812153557902C163172&setid=1&sectid=13&url=iol&vne=0&csect=Top" id="flink_12_a16471cbdd4d2b51" target="_blank" title="Could the British intelligence organisation M15 and the United States' Central Intelligence Agency be the masters behind the Scorpions?">CIA behind Scorpions, Aids: expert</a> <a id="flink_12_a16471cbdd4d2b51" title="Could the British intelligence organisation M15 and the United States' Central Intelligence Agency be the masters behind the Scorpions?"></a> <a id="flink_12_a16471cbdd4d2b51" title="Could the British intelligence organisation M15 and the United States' Central Intelligence Agency be the masters behind the Scorpions?"></a>

ANC vindicated as CIA admits to controlling Scorpions, inventing Aids

www.hayibo.com DURBAN. The U.S.'s Central Intelligence Agency has admitted to allegations levelled against it by ANC supporters in KwaZ...

5:57 PM

South Africa P.I.G.