A fresh onslaught is being unleashed against public protector Thuli Madonsela, including a police investigation that has been opened against her, repeating allegations that she was a spy.
Madonsela, who is leaving office next month after a seven-year term, is concluding an investigation into allegations that the Gupta family influenced President Jacob Zuma with regards to cabinet appointments, among others.
Sowetan has established that an inquiry to allegations that Madonsela was a spy for the US's Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) was opened against her at Sunnyside police station on September 18.
The accusations were first made by Umkhonto weSizwe Military Veterans' Association chairman Kebby Maphatsoe last year as Zuma's supporters defended him over Nkandla upgrades.
Yesterday, Pedron Nndwa, who opened the inquiry, said it was high time that the allegations against Madonsela be tested in a court of law. "Our lives are at risk now because she [Madonsela] has never proved these allegations false," Nndwa said.
This comes just two days after the ANC Youth League poured cold water over Madonsela's state capture investigation, saying she was targeting the executive led by Zuma and that she was a spy.
Yesterday, ANCYL spokesman Mlondi Mkhize stuck by the league's comments, saying Madonsela has failed to properly refute claims that she was enjoying close relations with the US intelligence. "In Zulu we say 'ukuthula ukuvuma', meaning to be silent is to confirm the allegations.
"She has not come out in public to reject the claims instead of asking people to apologise for defaming her. [It] means it could be that she is, indeed, a spy," Mkhize said.
Nndwa, an ANC member, refused to give more details about himself, including his stand on the ongoing ANC factional battles. Sowetan has, however, learnt that Nndwa is a former acting manager in Musina municipality in Limpopo.
Asked if he was aware that Maphatsoe apologised to Madonsela, Nndwa said he had more evidence against Madonsela.
Head of Gauteng investigating unit Colonel Moabi Modise, who signed off the inquiry, said Nndwa did not open a case but an inquiry into the allegations.
Modise said no charges were pressed against Madonsela but an inquiry was opened to test the allegations that she was a CIA spy and determine whether charges can be laid against her.
In October last year, the State Security Agency (SSA) said the investigation into spy allegations contained in a blog that Madonsela, EFF leader Julius Malema, Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) leader Joseph Mathunjwa and former DA leader Lindiwe Mazibuko was at an advanced stage.
Yesterday, SSA spokesman Brian Dube said the inquiry was not into Madonsela and others but rather into the allegations contained in the blog. He asked for more time to establish progress in the case.
Corruption Watch head David Lewis said the spy allegations were a sham and commenting on them would give them weight, even if he defended Madonsela.
Madonsela's spokesman Oupa Segalwe said she did not want to be distracted.
"She is not aware that a case has been opened and that the SAPS is conducting an inquiry into the matter. If SAPS has resources to entertain such things, it is their decision," he said. - Additional reporting by George Matlala
Source: sowetanlive
