ARTHUR FRASER
Transferring spy boss avoided constitutional crisis, says Cyril Ramaphosa
President Cyril Ramaphosa has defended his decision to move controversial former spy boss Arthur Fraser to a powerful new post at correctional services – on the basis that he did so to avoid a "constitutional crisis". That crisis, he says, was caused after the Inspector-General of Intelligence, Setlhomamaru Dintwe, took Fraser, then director-general of the State Security Agency (SSA), to court for revoking his security clearance. Dintwe argues that Fraser had done so in an unlawful bid to block him from probing "prima facie" evidence of wrongdoing against him. Court documents have revealed that Dintwe is currently investigating whether Fraser was "party to the establishment of an intelligence gathering unit outside the provisions of the statute that governs intelligence gathering". Allegations of Fraser’s "shadow security agency" rose to prominence following the publication of investigative reporter Jacques Pauw’s bestseller, The President’s Keepers. Dintwe has since confirmed that ...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.