Marianne Merten
Welile Nhlapo, former foreign affairs deputy director general responsible for Africa, has been named to head the new presidential support unit set up in the intelligence ministry to provide logistical backing to the presidency and former president Nelson Mandela.
Although the unit was established in November last year, the four-strong team was formally announced only on Thursday.
According to the official intelligence ministry announcement it “is contributing to efforts to ensure the holding of free and fair elections in Zimbabwe”. Members are understood to be currently in Zimbabwe in addition to South Africa’s election observer missions.
The unit comprises Nhlapo, Thembi Majola, previously of the presidency; former intelligence services representative to Canada Super Moloi, and advocate Ted Pekane from the Gauteng provincial administration. It has also visited the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi.
Late last year there was speculation that Home Affairs Director General Billy Masetlha would get the job after protracted conflict with his minister, Mangosuthu Buthelezi. However, government sources later said the post was too junior for Masetlha.
According to Dennis Nkosi, head of ministerial services, the unit will advise the presidency, including Deputy President Jacob Zuma, on strategy and “products” South Africa’s intelligence community can offer.
Nkosi said the unit did not have an intelligence-gathering role, but would provide support services such as ensuring secure communications for President Thabo Mbeki and sweeping his accommodation for bugs when abroad. The presidential protection unit only provided physical protection, he added.
Asked whether it could ask the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) or secret service to investigate at Mbeki’s behest, Nkosi maintained: “It is not a private intelligence body.”