Authorities have arrested two former senior intelligence officers for allegedly defrauding the State Security Agency (SSA) of R5.8 million.
Bail Set for Former Intelligence Officers
Ntshavheni Prince Makhathana and Matome Solomon Ralebipi appeared in the Palm Ridge Specialized Commercial Crimes Court on Monday. The court set their bail at R100,000 and R150,000, respectively.
The court released the duo on strict bail conditions, ordering them to surrender their travel documents. Authority prohibits them from leaving their residential addresses, except for consultations with their attorneys or seeking medical attention. Additionally, they must refrain from disposing of immovable assets and report to their local police stations every Friday. The court also bans them from having any direct or indirect contact with state witnesses.
Alleged Fraudulent Activities and Money Laundering
Makhathana, the former manager of the Cover Support Unit (CSU) of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), now part of the SSA, was in charge of its operations and financial expenditures. According to authorities, he exploited his position to defraud the SSA of R5.8 million. Ralebipi, a former NIA agent, allegedly assisted Makhathana in laundering the stolen money through Ralebipi’s property company.
Henry Mamothame, spokesperson for the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC), said the two men allegedly defrauded the SSA from 2007 until 2010.
Mamothame explained that authorities set up Ralebipi’s company as a money-laundering vehicle. This is to obscure the origins of the funds and the true ownership of two properties bought during the scheme. After a lengthy legal battle, Ralebipi secured a High Court ruling that the properties must be registered under Ralebipi Properties CC, of which he is the sole member.
“These two individuals, who had earned the trust of the South African people and the NIA/SSA, used their positions of power and the covert nature of CSU operations to exploit financial safeguards for personal gain,” said Mamothame.
Court Postpones Case to June 23
The court has postponed the case to June 23 for pre-trial proceedings.
