By: ANG Reporter
The INJEJE yabeNGUNI Council has accused State Security Minister Mondli Gungubele of doing everything possible to protect individuals who were committing acts of treason against the people of South Africa.
The council’s condemnation of Gungubele came after the State Security Agency (SSA) dragged Independent Media, the Daily News, and its journalist, Thabo Makwakwa, to court for publishing a story around a leaked intelligence report that claimed top leaders of the ANC had been captured by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). In a statement the council said: “His diabolical bid to have highly acclaimed Independent Media Group journalist Thabo Makwakwa imprisoned for exposing agents of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) of America who are within the African National Congress (ANC) which is the ruling party of the country, is tantamount to Gungubele protecting individuals who are committing acts of treason against the people of South Africa.”
The Council said Gungubele’s actions demonstrate how compromised the entire National State Security is.
Meanwhile, the South African National Civic Organisation Youth Congress in KZN expressed their “disbelief with the kind of censorship and harassment journalists faced in a democratic government”.
“The legal battle involving Independent Media and the State Security Agency (SSA) is a cause for concern.
“We never imagined that as young dwellers, we will grow up and witness censorship and harassment of journalists by a democratic government,” the civic movement added.
The young civic movement bemoaned what they called the reversal of the gains made towards the achievement of the bill of rights including freedom of expression.
The matter will be heard in closed court chambers in Pretoria next Tuesday.
It revolves around an intelligence report alleging that certain ANC leaders are CIA spies. The report was shared with the SSA before being leaked to one of Independent Media’s publications, The Daily News.
Upon receiving media inquiries last December, SSA headed to court and obtained an interim interdict until the matter is argued in court.
According to media reports, the contents show how the US was able to infiltrate the ANC using certainly captured leaders in order to influence party policy direction in favour of the Western countries.
However, SSA wants the court to order tIndependent Media to return the report.
“The classification had everything to do with ANC factional battles and the SSA’s dubious involvement,” Makwakwa said in court papers.
