The Deputy Minister responsible for State Security in the Presidency has distanced the agency from the wild allegations contained in a news24 report today, Wednesday,  01 September 2021.

Deputy Minister Zizi Kodwa said "The agency has taken note and serious exception to the News24 exclusive article purporting that they are in possession of an SSA report alleging “a finding of high likelihood of ANC MP Ms Xiaomei Havard to be spying for China”,  the agency disassociates itself from this malicious falsehood perpetuated through the media platform to advance the ulterior motives of discrediting and undermining the integrity of the Agency". 

He said that the Agency is aware of the escalating information peddling by both unscrupulous members and external subversive forces who are deliberately and intensely peddling false information through disinformation and misinformation in order to harm the integrity of the Agency. 

"The Agency is governed by the Intelligence Services Act 65 of 2002 as amended and the National Strategic Intelligence Act 39 of 1994 as amended. These legal instruments have been designed not only to spell out the mandates of Intelligence, but also to preserve and protect its integrity and that of the citizens" he added. 

"We therefore condemn with the contempt it deserves the attack on the integrity of Ms. Havard and the malicious portrayal of the Chinese government as hostile to South Africa’s national security. 

Ms Havard, like any other South African, is entitled to the rights contained in our Bill of Rights as enshrined in the Constitution" said the Deputy Minister. 

He ended by confirming that South Africa continues to enjoy fraternal relations with China that have been built through solidarity, trust and human dignity over years of difficulty facing South Africa and the continent. To this end, China remains one of the important developmental partners of South Africa.   

Issued by Mava Scott, Spokesperson, SSA, 1 September 2021