Arthur Fraser’s alleged “leaking of the so-called Spy Tapes to Jacob Zuma in 2009” make him unsuitable for the position of director-general (DG) of the State Security Agency (SSA)‚ the Democratic Alliance said on Tuesday.
“We must ensure transparency and accountability in South Africa’s intelligence services and cannot allow the appointment of dubious individuals to compromise its impartiality and independence‚” the party’s John Steenhuisen said.
Fraser’s appointment was announced on Monday by State Security Minister David Mahlobo‚ who said he “is equal to the task and will provide the necessary leadership that will ensure the agency is able to deliver on its constitutional and legal mandate of upholding national security”.
Steenhuisen‚ however‚ said the appointment “illustrates once again how…Mahlobo and his cronies continue to have unbridled access to the security services without civilian oversight”.
“Fraser frequently courted controversy during his stint as the Deputy Director-General of National Intelligence Agency (NIA)‚ the predecessor to the SSA‚ involving himself in political intrigue and irregularities‚” Steenhuisen added.
He listed these as:
- “Allegedly leaking of the so-called Spy Tapes to Jacob Zuma in 2009‚ obtained during an NIA investigation into the Special Browse Mole report‚ prompting then acting NPA boss‚ Mokotedi Mpshe‚ to withdraw 783 charges of fraud‚ racketeering and corruption against Zuma;
- “Involvement in the ‘Principal Agent Network’‚ a covert project run by the NIA between 2007 and 2010 which was tainted by allegations of misspending and prompted an investigation into fraud and corruption by then-IGI‚ Faith Radebe; and
- “Securing irregular tenders amounting to millions of rands from the South African Social Security Agency in 2014 for “consultancy services” provided by his company‚ Resurgent Risk Management‚ which Fraser co-owns with former NIA DG‚ Manala Manzini.”
Steenhuisen said he will request a meeting of the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence – which‚ he noted‚ has “not met since May 26” - to “consider the appropriateness of Fraser’s appointment”.
Fraser was quoted in a ministry statement on Monday as saying he appreciated the confidence shown in him and said he was committed to “working with the ministry and the entire membership of the agency to deliver on the mandate”.
That statement also noted: “Mr Fraser is not new in the intelligence community‚ having served in various operational capacities that culminated in his appointment as the DDG: Operations in the former NIA.
“He also served as a DDG in the Department of Home Affairs responsible for Immigration Services. He brings with him immense understanding and knowledge of the intelligence environment and his astute managerial experience which will help move the organisation forward.” – TMG Digital
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