Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08PRETORIA468
2008-03-07 08:48:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Pretoria
Cable title:  

PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE PROVIDES FURTHER

Tags:  PGOV KJUS KDEM SF 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO8078
RR RUEHDU RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHSA #0468/01 0670848
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 070848Z MAR 08
FM AMEMBASSY PRETORIA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3714
INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE
RUEHTN/AMCONSUL CAPE TOWN 5368
RUEHDU/AMCONSUL DURBAN 9628
RHMCSUU/FBI WASHINGTON DC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUEAWJA/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEAWJA/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 PRETORIA 000468 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/28/2018
TAGS: PGOV KJUS KDEM SF
SUBJECT: PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE PROVIDES FURTHER
AMMUNITION AGAINST SCORPIONS

REF: A. CAPE TOWN 38


B. PRETORIA 306

C. PRETORIA XXX

D. 07 PRETORIA 1090

PRETORIA 00000468 001.2 OF 003


Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Donald Teitelbaum. Reasons 1.4(
b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 PRETORIA 000468

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/28/2018
TAGS: PGOV KJUS KDEM SF
SUBJECT: PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE PROVIDES FURTHER
AMMUNITION AGAINST SCORPIONS

REF: A. CAPE TOWN 38


B. PRETORIA 306

C. PRETORIA XXX

D. 07 PRETORIA 1090

PRETORIA 00000468 001.2 OF 003


Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Donald Teitelbaum. Reasons 1.4(
b) and (d).


1. (C) SUMMARY: In yet another blow to the embattled
Directorate of Special Operations, also known as the
Scorpions, the parliamentary Joint Standing Committee on
Intelligence (JSCI) has released a report that criticizes the
Scorpions for intelligence gathering, among other things, and
for putting South Africa's young democracy at risk (Ref A&B).
Though the JSCI has no oversight authority over the
Scorpions, it urges the executive to take action against
those responsible for the compilation of the "Special Browse
Mole Report," which accused then-ANC Deputy President Jacob
Zuma of receiving support from foreign governments. The ANC
immediately seized on the JSCI's findings, with ANC leaders
and MPs publicly and privately calling on government to take
immediate action. END SUMMARY.

--------------
PARLIAMENT LEADERS BRIEFED ON JSCI REPORT
--------------


2. (C) On 26 February, Independent Democrats (ID) Leader
Patricia de Lille informed EmbOffs that the Speaker of
Parliament (and ANC Chairperson),Baleka Mbete, had just
briefed her and other parliamentary leaders on the Joint
Standing Committee on Intelligence's (JSCI) unfavorable
findings of the Scorpions and their "Special Browse Mole
Report," which summarized intelligence reports about then
ANC-Deputy President Jacob Zuma's support base and
fund-raising activities. De Lille (please protect) gave
EmbOffs a photocopy of the JSCI report, which is dated 27
November 2007, noting it was the first time a JSCI report had
been released. De Lille believes Mbete's brief and the
release of the report clearly show the Zuma camp is in charge
of Parliament. She is certain the report will be used as
ammunition to disband the Scorpions and is concerned over the
use of state institutions to fight political battles (Ref C).

--------------
BACKGROUND OF THE BROWSE MOLE REPORT
--------------



3. (C) In 2006, the Scorpions produced a "Top Secret"
document known as the "Special Browse Mole Consolidated
Report." The report's origins, authors, purpose, and
ultimate audience remain unknown, despite months of
controversy following its leak in May 2007. The document
begins with the accusation that then-ANC Deputy President
Jacob Zuma's "presidential ambitions (were) fueled and
sustained by a conspiracy playing out both inside South
Africa and on the African continental stage....the (South
African Communist Party (SACP),Congress of South African
Trade Unions, and ANC and SACP Youth Leagues) seemingly
disaffected with Mbeki have thrown in their lot with the
former Deputy President." The report goes on to say that,
"there exist elements within the Security and Intelligence
Services that appear to be considering the subversion of the
apparatus of State in support of a Zuma presidency.


4. (C) The document also alleges that "several Heads of State
and leaders of African politico/military groupings,
apparently alienated by South Africa's perceived pre-eminence
in the African Union and especially in NEPAD," to be Zuma
Qin the African Union and especially in NEPAD," to be Zuma
supporters. In some cases, "these political leaders appear
to pose a threat to the sovereignty and integrity of the
South African State." The document specifically names both
Angolan President Dos Santos and Libyan Leader Muammar
Qadhafi, who is alleged to have given $3-5 million to Zuma
through SACP Secretary General Blade Nzimande for the
promotion of a "street level revolution in South Africa."
The document concludes by asking for authorization to launch
a preparatory investigation into money laundering, tax
evasion, contravention of exchange control regulations, and
conspiracy to sedition.

--------------
JSCI Findings

PRETORIA 00000468 002.2 OF 003


--------------


5. (C) The JSCI did not conduct a primary investigation of
the Scorpions or the Browse Mole Report, but based much of
its findings on the results of the National Security
Council's Task Team, which was established on 30 May 2007 by
President Mbeki. According to the JSCI report, the Task Team
(which included the National Intelligence Agency (NIA),the
South African Secret Service, and the South African Police
Service (SAPS)) concluded that the Scorpions had fallen prey
to "information peddlers," referring to a network of
apartheid-era officers, most of whom worked in covert
intelligence structures, who continue to have links to
foreign intelligence services in the UK, Germany, France, and
the U.S. These "peddlers," according to the Task Team, are
not driven by ideology, but by access to state resources and
contracts. The Task Team concluded that the Scorpions had
been involved in intelligence collection for which they do
not have the competency, experience, or mandate.


6. (C) The conclusions drawn by the JSCI in its report,
however, were harsher and more conspiratorial than the above
circumstances might suggest. They characterized the
Scorpions' actions as "dangerous, inflammatory, divisive, and
having the potential to throw (South Africa's) new democracy
into chaos." The JSCI believes that the Browse Mole Report's
purpose was primarily to gather information on Zuma and noted
that the Scorpions were reluctant to cooperate with the Task
Team. (NOTE: Leonard McCarthy, head of the Scorpions, has
stated that the Browse Mole Report was not a product of an
authorized investigation but an informal gathering of
information. END NOTE) The JSCI, like the Task Team,
believes that the Scorpions continue to conduct intelligence
operations, contrary to the law. However, unlike the Task
Team, the JSCI is of the opinion that the "information
peddlers" cited in the report were, like other African
leaders, intent on destabilizing and subverting South Africa
and Mbeki's efforts to bring peace and stability to the
continent.


7. (C) The JSCI report recommended that:

-- the executive authority take appropriate action
against Leonard McCarthy and all other officials involved;

-- the "government" must direct the Scorpions to stop
intelligence gathering activities immediately;

-- NIA expedite the vetting of Scorpions' officials and
regulation of private intelligence gathering activities;

-- a comprehensive review of the Scorpions be
undertaken.

--------------
ANC RESPONSE
--------------


8. (C) The 29 February edition of ANC Today, the ruling
party's on-line newsletter, leads with "Browse Mole Report:
Democracy must be defended against 'dirty tricks'." In
addition to summarizing the JSCI report, it urges party
members to remain "vigilent...and not to be complacent about
the activities of old-style intelligence networks aiming to
sow division and cause confusion within our young democracy."
According to press reports, ANC MPs expressed their anger
during a parliamentary caucus meeting on 28 February over the
government's delay in taking disciplinary action against
McCarthy. ANC Secretary General Gwede Mantashe is reported
to have instructed during the same meeting the chairperson of
Qto have instructed during the same meeting the chairperson of
the Committee on Safety and Security to read a statement
during the next National Assembly sitting urging the
government to take action against the Scorpions. The ANC
also has dispatched National Assembly Chief Whip Nathi
Mthethwa to meet with Justice Minister Brigitte Mabandla
sometime this week to find out more about the delay.
Numerous press reports have noted that McCarthy will resign
from the NPA before June, though the NPA Spokesperson has
denied this.

--------------
COMMENT
--------------

PRETORIA 00000468 003.2 OF 003




9. (C) It is often difficult to untangle facts from
conspiracies in post-apartheid South Africa. Some of the
information included in the Browse Mole Report rings true,
such as Zuma's strong support base within COSATU, SACP, and
the Youth Leagues. Other parts appear outlandish, such as
continental leaders' jealousy over Mbeki's "perceived
pre-eminence in NEPAD," a largely ineffectual organization
that could easily die after Mbeki leaves office next year.
Consequently, the Browse Mole Report itself appears to be one
more example of political infighting within the ANC being
played out in the security services, as was the case with the
hoax email scandal (Ref D).


10. (C) However, unlike the hoax email scandal -- which was
proven to be a manufactured scandal -- the fact that both the
government Task Team and the JSCI found the Scorpions guilty
of intelligence gathering against Zuma provides further
ammunition for Zuma's camp to argue that the Scorpions
operate without bounds, are politically motivated, and
therefore should be disbanded. The Speaker's briefing to
Parliamentary leaders, the ANC Secretary General's insistence
on a public statement from a parliamentary committee head,
and the call on the Justice Minister three months after the
report's issuance clearly indicate that the Zuma camp sees
this report as a useful tool in its push to disband the
Scorpions.
TEITELBAUM