Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa has ordered an investigation into allegations that crime intelligence officers gave a judge false information that allowed them illegally to tap the cellphones of suspended national police commissioner Bheki Cele and investigative journalists.
Mthethwa’s spokesman, Zweli Mnisi, said on Sunday the minister had “tasked police management to investigate the claims and ensure that those who are responsible are brought to book”.
He said Mthethwa was disturbed about the possibility that retired judge Joshua Khumalo had been misled by SAPS crime intelligence officials into granting intercept requests that allowed for eavesdropping on cellphone conversations by Cele and Sunday Times investigative journalists.
The Sunday Times reported that, according to court papers, Khumalo had granted an interception order on December 6, 2010.
It came soon after the newspaper had exposed details of suspect police tenders.
Khumalo was duped into signing the order by the officials, who asked that certain numbers be intercepted but lied about who they belonged to, the newspaper claimed.
It said Cele’s number was said to belong to one Thabalani Mdlalose of Lamontville, Durban.
“The minister regards such acts as criminal and says the perpetrators must be brought to book,” Mnisi said on Sunday. “He is expecting a report on the investigation within days.”
If true, the report raises questions about safeguarding citizens against illicit surveillance – at a time when even cabinet members have expressed fears about speaking on their phones.
Political Bureau