EFF leader Julius Malema.
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema says an investigation into claims that he and other political leaders were involved in espionage is an effort to divert attention away from a failing State Security Agency (SSA).
“Our intelligence service is not intelligent and is led by someone who is not intelligent,” he said.
On Thursday, the SSA released a statement saying it was investigating claims made on what appeared to be an amateur blog that Malema, public protector Thuli Madonsela, Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union head Joseph Mathunjwa and former Democratic Alliance parliamentary head Lindiwe Mazibuko were involved in spying against the state.
“Government has noted with great concern the allegations of espionage against the head of the office of the public protector and certain political leaders in our country,” said a statement issued in SSA spokesperson Brian Dube’s name.
The blog africainteligenceleaks.wordpress.com makes allegations that the CIA was behind Malema, Madonsela Mathunjwa and Mazibuko.
“Thanks to evidence found through investigations, it has been proved that Malema is a person of doubtful reputation due to his implications with the mob, money laundry, corruption and the wrong use of influences. He was expelled from the party and from his post at the Parliament, and then became the perfect candidate for Langley [the CIA headquarters] to confuse the masses,” the latest post on the blog reads.
Dube said the SSA had taken the allegations seriously.
“The State Security Agency, working with other departments within the security cluster, will institute an investigation in order to verify and determine the veracity of the allegations made,” the statement read.
Malema said this was not the first time intelligence services were investigating him.
“They are throwing names to divert attention from the fact that Minister Mahlobo jammed the signal in Parliament,” he said.
Malema said SSA under Minister David Mahlobo was moving from one crisis to another.
“This investigation is a waste of government resources that could build houses for people in Alexandra.”
Madonsela and Mazibuko’s phones were switched off on Thursday afternoon and Mathunjwa’s phone went unanswered.