Another top spook to be investigated

Political Bureau

THE DA has welcomed the launch of a second investigation into another of SA’s top spook, the recently appointed head of the State Security Agency’s special operations unit, Thulani Dhlomo.

He is reportedly already the subject of an investigation by the KwaZulu-Natal provincial treasury into claims that he interfered in the awarding of contracts worth R45 million when he was head of security in the provincial social development department.

This investigation resulted from a complaint that Dhlomo had accepted a R1m bribe in exchange for a tender and then demanded another R1m.

The office of Inspector-General of Intelligence Faith Radebe, who is already investigating suspended crime intelligence boss Richard Mdluli over claims he raided the secret service account for the benefit of himself and members of his family, has confirmed it will investigate a complaint against Dhlomo lodged by DA MP and state security spokesman David Maynier.

Advocate Jay Govender told Independent Newspapers yesterday that the inspector-general would look into Maynier’s complaint, which followed a report in City Press.

Dhlomo is believed to have worked under President Jacob Zuma when he headed the ANC’s intelligence arm during the fight against apartheid.

His appointment comes after three of the security agency’s top officials – director-general Jeff Maqetuka, national intelligence agency head Gibson Njenje and secret service boss Moe Shaik – resigned amid reports that they had clashed with Minister of State Security Siyabonga Cwele over instructions to snoop on senior ANC leaders, including members of the cabinet.

Maynier said yesterday that if the reports about Dhlomo were true, he should “never have been appointed to the State Security Agency, let alone as the head of covert operations”.

“We have to ensure that the State Security Agency is not drawn into party politics, promoting the interests of a political party – or a faction of a political party,” he said.

City Press reported earlier that Dhlomo had resigned from his social development job after an internal audit requested by the MEC, Meshack Radebe, had recommended he be charged.

The audit found he had flouted tender procedures and gone over the heads of procurement staff. State security department spokesman Brian Dube did not respond to requests for comment.