Hoax e-mail probe almost done
2006-02-09 16:09
Cape Town - A probe into alleged hoax e-mails aimed at discrediting senior ruling party figures could be completed by the end of the month, Intelligence Minister Ronnie Kasrils said on Thursday.
"That is the hope and the expectation," he told reporters at parliament.
The probe being conducted by the inspector-general of intelligence was progressing well.
It was "quite extensive" and had been drawing on "considerable assistance from the police", Kasrils said.
The investigation sought to establish the veracity and source of the e-mails, and was not so much focused on their being leaked to the media.
'Unauthorised surveillance'
Kasrils was unable to say anything on reports that suspended national intelligence agency director-general Billy Masetlha could face criminal charges arising from unauthorised surveillance claims.
The minister suspended Masetlha and two other senior officials last year, pending a probe into claims of "serious misconduct" allegedly related to the surveillance of politician-turned-businessman Saki Macozoma.
The suspension of Masetlha, his deputy Gibson Njenje and NIA general manager Bob Mhlanga, followed an initial probe by the inspector-seneral at Kasrils' instruction.
This followed a complaint from a member of the public, believed to be Macozoma.
Succession battle
The matter has been linked in the media to a succession battle in the African National Congress between President Thabo Mbeki and Jacob Zuma.
Macozoma is said to be a Mbeki loyalist.
The e-mails were purported to have been authored by top government officials and senior politicians.
They have been described as fraudulent and "aimed to cause confusion" by the ministry, who warned the public to disregard the "sinister" messages.
Kasrils said a review he ordered into legislation, internal regulations and operating procedures governing the intelligence services was ongoing.
Regulating intelligence services was hard but necessary, he added.
Intelligence officers had to understand their obligations under the constitution and the law, and must know not to obey an illegal command.
The review was aimed at ensuring "that we do not repeat the dreadful abuses of the past," the minister said.
- SAPA