Use of state intelligence operatives to protect Zuma from booers should be investigated

The DA will request that the Inspector General of Intelligence, Adv Faith Radebe, investigate the alleged use of state intelligence operatives to protect President Jacob Zuma from being booed during the ANC's manifesto launch this weekend.

According to the Mail and Guardian, a team of state intelligence operatives and police officers were dispatched to Mpumalanga late December last year to counter any moves by rogue elements within and outside the ANC who intend to embarrass President Zuma by booing him in front of the media. Another team of intelligence operatives will allegedly head to Nelspruit today for backup. 

The use of state intelligence operatives for political purposes is unconstitutional, and in contravention of state intelligence legislation. 

In terms of section 199 (7) of the Constitution, the country's security services may not further the interests of a political party in a partisan manner. 

The domestic intelligence mandate specifically excludes "...political activity, advocacy, protest or dissent", in terms of the General Intelligence Laws Amendment Act of 2013.

Adv Radebe should now investigate the following:

Who authorised the use of state intelligence operatives to protect President Zuma from booers;

The involvement of President Zuma in granting this authorisation; and

How much this anti-Zuma booing operation cost.

It is clear that the ANC is running scared, and intends on pulling out all stops to hold on to its power. The ANC is more than entitled to campaign in order to do so, however, this does not include abusing state resources to further its goals or protect its leader from embarrassment. 

Statement issued by Dirk Stubbe MP, DA Shadow Minister of State Security, January 10 2014

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