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Loyiso Jafta, acting director general of the State Security Agency (SSA), testifies before the Commission of Inquiry.
Fan Mahuntsi, Gallo Images
- SSA officials refused to allow prosecutors and investigators from the NPA Directorate of Investigations access to their Pretoria headquarters.
- According to a witness, there was a “tense” confrontation at the front door of the SSA offices.
- NPA sources confirmed that the Bowmans law firm has been appointed to conduct a forensic investigation into allegations of financial mismanagement at the spy agency.
A tense standoff at the headquarters of the State Security Agency (SSA) almost reached a tipping point Thursday afternoon when the Investigative Directorate (ID) of the National Tax Authority (NPA) attempted to raid the headquarters of the spies. in connection with the testimony presented to the Zondo commission.
News24 was reliably reported that the ID, in conjunction with the Office of the Inspector General for Intelligence, attempted to raid the building of the Musanda complex near Pretoria, commonly known as the “Farm.”
Sources close to the matter said that NPA officials demanded access to the building, causing chaos among the country’s top spies. It is understood that the ID was attempting to execute a court order to seize documents related to allegations of corruption and multi-million dollar financial mismanagement.
Another NPA source confirmed the attempted raid.
Acting SSA Director General Loyiso Jafta made the accusations against former spy chiefs when he appeared before the Zondo commission last month. He declined to comment when contacted by News24 on Thursday, referring inquiries to SSA spokesperson Mava Scott.
Scott was not immediately available, despite multiple attempts to reach him.
It is understood that the identification investigators were not allowed through the front door. Top SSA management was present and access was denied.
News24 understands that the events are due to a decision by the Minister of State Security, Ayanda Dlodlo, to transfer the investigation into the complaints presented to the Zondo commission from the office of the director general to the national intelligence branch.
It was then decided that the Bowmans Law Firm would be appointed to conduct forensic investigations into the allegations that persist at the SSA.
The terms of reference for the forensic investigation are expected to be published in the coming days.
A source with direct knowledge of the matter said investigators wanted to collect the evidence that was moved from Jafta’s office to the office of the national intelligence branch.
Two sources with direct knowledge of the events said investigators demanding access to the compound sounded the alarms.
The top management of the spy agency, particularly the counterintelligence unit, is said to have marched to the door and prevented identification investigators from entering.
Insiders said that the head of the domestic unit, attorney Sam Muofhe, also intervened at the impasse.
A third source said there was a fear that state law enforcement agencies “would turn to each other.”
“There was no way we would have let them in. It can’t happen. You can’t come in and have access to SSA headquarters. They are crazy. They said this can’t happen in any way,” a source told News24.
Another person in the know described the tension as “frantic and chaotic.”
All three sources said investigators left with nothing.
When News24 arrived at the main entrance to the complex late Thursday, the situation was calm and the investigators had already left.
Jafta’s testimony included claims that the SSA had spent a staggering R9 billion on assets that it had “lost.”
News24 previously reported that Jafta told the commission that the money was spent on “high-value cars and SUVs, specialized surveillance equipment, properties and houses used as cover.”
Dlodlo tried and failed to block Jafta’s testimony.
Former SSA director general and current director general of correctional services, Arthur Fraser, denied Jafta’s allegations and opened a perjury case against him, stemming from some of his evidence.
READ: Former spy chief Arthur Fraser opens perjury case after spy revelations at Zondo commission
