REACTION TO CLAIMS OF SPYING AGAINST PUBLIC PROTECTOR BY THE DEPUTY DEFENCE MINISTER

SANDF HQ, Pretoria, Monday, 8 September 2014

SANDU has taken note of claims by the Deputy Minister of Defence, Kebby Maphatsoe, that the Public Protector, Ms Thuli Madonsela, is a spy for the CIA (see report in The Star here).

SANDU has furthermore noted Maphatsoe's embarrassing egg dance, afterwards, whilst trying to contain the fallout caused by his incredulous claims.

One would expect a person in the position of Deputy Minister of Defence, who has access to all the Military Intelligence services' information, as well as that of other national security structures, to have the necessary evidence to back up such serious claims. 

One would further expect that, even if government has such evidence, it would let the law take its course and ensure an arrest and prosecution.

The fact that Maphatsoe did neither and then embarrassingly tried to wiggle his way out of the claims by means of vague aspersions, suggests that he was lying publicly and defaming the Public Protector wilfully. The latter is a criminal offense in terms of the Public Protector Act.

SANDU calls on the Commander in Chief of the SANDF, President Jacob Zuma, to terminate the services of Kebby Maphatsoe, as Deputy Minister of Defence, forthwith. His conduct has indisputably brought the Department of Defence and South Africa into disrepute and constitutes a criminal offence.

Maphatsoe should be criminally prosecuted for his wilful and malicious attack on the office of the Public Protector.

Antics like these bear testimony to the innate unfitness of Maphatsoe to serve as a deputy minister.

Statement issued by Adv JG (Pikkie) GREEFF, SANDU national secretary, September 8 2014

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