Solly Maphumulo
INTELLIGENCE operatives are scrambling to seize two “superspy” surveillance machines that can access bank transactions and jam cellphone network signals.
The machines are believed to be in the hands of private citizens who obtained them illegally. The search for these prohibited instruments, which are only used by security agencies, has lasted for several months, according to impeccable sources.
But a source familiar with the investigation said the intelligence operatives had struggled to get information about the devices, known as “The Grabbers”.
“People who have The Grabbers really hide them because they know it’s illegal to have them. They also know criminals want to use them. They know they are risking being robbed by criminals or getting arrested,” the source said.
The disclosure comes a few weeks after the police confiscated a superspy machine from three men who were arrested at the Irene Mall in Pretoria.
The device can access bank transactions and is so powerful it can block other devices, among other things.
An intelligence agent, who wanted to remain anonymous, explained how the devices work and the risk they pose to people.
“With the capacity of this, it would have listened to conversations of the president, any minister, without anyone knowing. It is more powerful than the ones used by the state,” said the agent.
A few weeks ago, Willie Lotter and two men were arrested after they were found in possession of a device, nicknamed “The Grabber”, worth R29 million. The spying gadget, that was custom made, can bug up to 10 000 cellphone lines live and locate anyone’s whereabouts. This powerful tool can jam networks, download and intercept SMSes, send SMSes to any number and pick up other surveillance devices and block them.
State Security Agency spokesperson Brian Dube said they were working with other security agencies to investigate how private citizens managed to buy The Grabber.
The acquisition of the machine – a first-generation Mobile GSM tracking and locating piece of equipment – is highly regulated, internationally and in South Africa.
In South Africa it belongs to a category of special equipment – used in the interest of national security – and can only be purchased with special presidential authority.
The device was bought using a fraudulently acquired letter of authority from the South African government and was paid for with money from a private trust owned by a local businessman whose name is known to Independent Media, according to a source.
Hawks spokesperson Hangwani Mulaudzi was reluctant to give further details, saying the matter was very sensitive. He added that the matter was still under investigation.
Mulaudzi said they were working with security agencies to establish how the machine was acquired by private citizens.
Independent Media understands that the machine was bought into the country in small pieces and was then assembled by an Israeli company based in Cape Town.
“This machine is big, it would have raised alarm if it was assembled in Israel and brought into the country,” a source said.
According to an insider, Lotter and the businessman had travelled to Israel to buy the device.
The device was manufactured and bought in Israel.
The machine was installed in a Mercedes-Benz Viano and it is understood that the vehicle travelled to several places in the country.
Lotter is due to appear in court again in October.
He and the two other suspects were arrested after they were lured to the Irene Mall in a police and intelligence sting operation.
The trio apparently believed they had found a buyer for The Grabber.
The other men were released due to insufficient evidence.
It is understood that one of the men was a bank employee who was trained by an Israeli company based in Cape Town.