Former crime intelligence boss Richard Mdluli, former State Security Agency (SSA) director-general Arthur Fraser and former state security minister Bongani Bongo are among individuals accused of abusing power, processes and looting at the SSA.
Commission chair Raymond Zondo handed over the final part of the state capture report to President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday.
The release of the report was delayed, sparking accusations by the DA that Ramaphosa was interfering with the commission’s findings. Zondo dismissed these accusations, saying he needed more time to to do quality checks on the report before it was made public.
Here are six allegations contained in the report:
Millions unaccounted for at SSA
The report said evidence from former SSA director-general Loyiso Jafta demonstrated that money, running “up to millions, if not billions”, disappeared from the SSA coffers and could not be traced or recovered. Its assets, including ammunition and firearms, were also unaccounted for.
Individuals in the department made the recovery of the money and assets difficult.
Mahlobo accused of looting millions
The SSA’s Project Mayibuye allegedly siphoned millions to several high-ranking officials in the 2015/2016 and 2016/2017 financial years. The project was approved in 2015 and was established “to provide counterintelligence support to organs of governance against hostile behaviour”.
According to evidence from Mr Y, a senior executive at the SSA, who cannot be named, monthly withdrawals amounted to R24m in 2015/2016 and more than doubled to R54.1m in 2016/2017.
Monthly transactions were made at the insistence of former SSA minister David Mahlobo. According to Mr Y, Mahlobo issued “firm instructions that amounts be made available, despite challenges in accessing funds”.
SSA paid for overseas flights for Mdluli and his spouses
In November 2009, Mdluli and his former wife, VL Mdluli, flew business class to Hong Kong to visit their daughter who was studying in China. The total cost of the trip was R110,000 of which R60,000 was paid by the SSA.
In November 2011, Mdluli and his wife, T Lyons, flew on official business to Singapore. Both their trips were paid for by the SSA, despite Lyons not being a member of the SAPS. She was employed by the department of home affairs, where she worked as a clerk. Her ticket was upgraded from economy to business class and cost R46,890.
Jobs for friends and family
Crime Intelligence “made available” 250 posts between January and February 2010, most of which were filled by Mdluli’s friends and family members with no previous policing experience.
Irregular appointments by Bongo
Bongo ordered the National Intelligence Co-ordinating Committee to appoint an unidentified ally to a senior position solely because the person was known to him. This person, states the report, was promoted to an even more senior position not long after they were irregularly appointed.
How Fraser abused the vetting process at SSA
Fraser is accused of abusing the SSA vetting process. The former DG revoked former intelligence inspector-general Setlhomamaru Dintwe’s clearance because he had been investigating allegations against him.
TimesLIVE
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.