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Cape Town – A former apartheid era intelligence agent has been blamed for the leak of spy cables to Al Jazeera TV channel. According to the Sunday Independent, a number of intelligence sources say there was a breach of security on the part of the agent who was working on a secret project code-named Mokopa Missile project.
The agent allegedly allowed his brother-in-law to access his official computer. The brother-in-law then copied all the files and sold them to the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the British secret intelligence M16.
M16 made a copy and returned the files to the South African State Security Agency (SSA). The newspaper reports that criminal and internal investigations were launched.
Two investigating officers familiar with the case would not however comment on the matter. However, SSA spokesperson Brian Dube told the newspaper on Saturday that the probe into the source of the leaked cables was ongoing.
News24 reported last week that Cabinet has condemned the leaking of top secret documents, which it says threatens the country’s security.
“Cabinet condemns in strongest terms the leaking of documents that may put the security of the country in jeopardy,” Minister in the Presidency Jeff Radebe said on Thursday.
Briefing journalists at Parliament following Cabinet’s fortnightly meeting on Wednesday, he said the executive welcomed the SSA’s current investigation into the matter.
Documents from several international spy agencies were leaked to international news network Al Jazeera, which last week started broadcasting and publishing their contents.
The documents cover the period 2006 to 2012. Among other things, they reveal details of the activities of Mossad, Israel’s secret service agency, in South Africa, as well as efforts by Iran to use the country to find its way around international sanctions.
Radebe said leaking the documents detailing the SSA’s operations was illegal.
“Cabinet reiterates the message by State Security Minister David Mahlobo that such conduct undermines operational effectiveness of the work to secure the country and its borders,” he said. — News24
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