Inspector-General (IG) for Intelligence Dr Setlhomamaru Dintwe testified at the Zondo Commission that members of the State Security Agency (SSA) and Crime Intelligence were brazenly stealing cash designated for covert operations.
They either kept it for themselves, used it to fund factions of the ANC, or funded parallel intelligence operations.
“What I can confirm is that money has been stolen, and we’re talking lots and lots of money, taken with suitcases, others being lost, and people never really held accountable for that money,” said Dintwe.
“Our findings are this money has been used for other things that in fact could affect our national security adversely,” said Dintwe.
Dintwe said the money was used not just to fund Zuma, but also various factions of the ANC and to fuel political tensions.
“There is just a signature, no letterhead, no nothing and we are talking huge amounts of money,” said Dintwe.
An official would refuse to cooperate with Independent Police Investigative Directorate and the Hawks, claiming the IG has exclusive jurisdiction to investigate their agencies. Dintwe says this is absurd because they know his office is weak and his recommendations can be ignored.
Dintwe’s office only makes recommendations and doesn’t launch criminal cases.
Officials then refuse to give investigators evidence, claiming the information is classified. Directors General and other departmental heads create protracted delays – “constructive refusal”. Officials over-classify information to stifle investigations.
“It is not intelligence at all. It is purely criminality and theft of state funds,” said Dintwe. Intelligence agencies’ cash funds are not audited.
Dintwe said the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence (JSCI) had failed to perform its oversight role. The JSCI claims, without foundation, that its activities must remain secret.
Dintwe, whose term comes to an end in 2022, said he believed his office has failed on its mandate.