Fired intelligence boss Billy Masetlha successfully parried efforts this week to evict him from his state-owned residence in the National Intelligence Agency’s (NIA) high security Musanda complex outside Pretoria.
Masetlha has refused to accept that he was lawfully sacked by President Thabo Mbeki and is maintaining he is still rightfully director general of the NIA, with all the amenities that go with that post, including his house.
Masetlha is still pursuing a legal challenge to, first, his suspension and, second, the early termination of his contract in March this year, following the report of the Inspector General of Intelligence into the hoax e-mail saga.
At the time he was told, in a letter from the minister of public service and administration, that he was to vacate his official residence by June 21.
On June 5 Manala Manzini, who Masetlha cheekily says, ”claims to have been appointed DG of the NIA in my stead”, wrote another letter in which Masetlha was again asked to vacate his home. Masetlha’s lawyer responded with a letter claiming Masetlha was entitled to occupy the house, given his contention that his removal as head of the NIA was invalid.
State attorney KI Chowe responded stating that further legal proceedings would be a waste of money and informing Masetlha that his access to the premises would be terminated by 5pm on the first day of August.
According to an affidavit filed by Masetlha, at the appointed time on Tuesday this week, ”agents of the first respondent [Intelligence Minister Ronnie Kasrils] placed two padlocks on the motor and pedestrian entrance gates of my home, thus effectively denying my family and me access to the house itself.”
Masetlha went to court on an urgent basis the same night and was granted a ”spoliation order” by the Pretoria High Court, ordering that his access to the property be restored.
Commenting on events, NIA spokesperson Lorna Daniels said Masetlha was given three months’ notification to vacate the NIA property in terms of the Public Service Act following the termination of his contract. ”The decision to deny Mr Masetlha access to the property was in line with this notice,” said Daniels. ”However, we respect the court’s decision and we are taking further legal advice on the matter.”