International news agencies have using hidden cameras to spy on Nelson Mandela's Eastern Cape home, a report has said.
According to Timeslive. a special police task descended on Mandela's home in Qunu village this week to investigate the security breach.
Chieftainess Nokwanele Balizulu, who lives directly opposite Mandela's home, reportedly confirmed she had granted US news agency Associated Press and Britain's Reuters permission to install at least three CCTV cameras six years ago, but would not admit to being paid for having done so.
The Times said they had established that the last remaining surveillance cameras belonging to Reuters would be removed on Thursday morning on orders from the police task team.
The task team gathered in Mthatha on Monday to attend to what a local chief had said was a “breach of security and a safety risk”.
Head of the task team
Brigadier Gary McClaren was adamant that the cameras should be removed as they were not only violating Mandela's privacy, but were also breaking the law.
AP is believed to have had two cameras installed on Balizulu's property about six years ago. The agency has also set up a television studio on one of the properties in the village.
Reuters is said to have one camera installed about two months ago, on Balizulu's property.
The task team is also investigating the presence of other cameras around the village, one of which, situated on a hill, belongs to the SABC.
When contacted for comment on Wednesday night, AP spokesman Paul Colford reportedly told The Times: “They are not surveillance cameras. Along with other media, the AP has preparedness around Mr Mandela's eventual passing. The AP cameras were not switched on and would only be used in the event of a major news story involving the former president.
''We had similar preparedness outside the Vatican ahead of Pope John Paul II's passing,'' Colford was quoted as saying.
According to the report, Marius Bosch, bureau chief for Reuters Southern Africa, referred requests for comment to the group's public relations manager in London, who could not be reached on Wednesday night.
The health of 93-year-old Mandela has been of great interest from both local and international news organisations.
- IOL