Cameras 'spying' on Mandela - report

2011-12-15 08:10

 Cape Town - News agencies have been using CCTV cameras to spy on former president Nelson Mandela’s home in Qunu, in the Eastern Cape, Timeslive reported on Thursday.

Chieftainess Nokwanele Balizulu, who lives opposite Mandela’s house, confirmed to The Times that she gave Reuters and AP news agencies permission to install cameras, but would not admit to being paid for having done so.

A police task team was sent to investigate the security breach.

AP spokesperson Paul Colford said: "They are not surveillance cameras. Along with other media, the AP has preparedness around Mr Mandela's eventual passing. The AP cameras were not switched on and would only be used in the event of a major news story involving the former president."

Colford added: ''We had similar preparedness outside the Vatican ahead of Pope John Paul II's passing.''

The task team is also investing other cameras set up in the area, one of those belonging to the SABC.

Kaizer Kganyago, spokesperson for the SABC, said he was unaware of it.

- News24