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- A secret witness told the Zondo commission the SSA mandate was clear - and it was about how not to abuse it.
- She was probed about a recommendation that the broad interpretation of the SSA mandate should be reviewed.
- The commission is dealing with evidence relating to the SSA.
A secret witness, who has been identified only as Ms K, and is appearing before the Zondo commission of inquiry into state capture, says the State Security Agency (SSA) mandate is clear - and it is about how not to abuse it.
"I think the mandate is clear, it is about how not to abuse it. That is my sentiment," she said on Thursday as the commission continued to place its lens on the spy agency.
Evidence leader advocate Paul Pretorius SC was highlighting an observation - in an affidavit by a Mr Y - which deals with the high-level review panel on the SSA.
News24 reported that in June 2018 President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed the panel to look into the work of the spy agency.
The panel, chaired by former minister Sydney Mufamadi, had to assess its mandate, capacity and organisational integrity.
The SSA describes its mandate as, among other things, to "provide the government with intelligence on domestic and foreign threats or potential threats to national stability, the constitutional order, and the safety and well-being of our people".
READ | Ramaphosa launches high-level investigation into State Security Agency
The said observation read out by Pretorius stated the following: "The high-level review panel on the SSA recommended that the broad interpretation of the SSA mandate should be reviewed. This is a sentiment that is echoed by the Project Veza investigation team in light of the impunity with which individuals acted at the cost of national security."
When probed on whether she had a comment, Ms K responded: "I have no comment."
When asked by the evidence leader whether she agreed with the observation, Ms K said her sentiments were that the mandate was clear.
"I have a challenge with the issue of the SSA mandate, I don't know whether the mandate needs to be reviewed, or that what needs to be reviewed is how we uphold that mandate, and how to execute that mandate.
"I am finding myself in a difficult position. If we say the broad interpretation must be reviewed, I guess they based that on something - but, for me, I think the mandate is clear, it is about how not to abuse it. That is my sentiment," she added.
Pretorius further clarified whether he understood her to say "the mandate is there, it is in law. It is in the policy and procedures - it is what is done in the SSA that you would focus on?"
To which Ms K responded: "Yes."
ALSO READ | State Capture: Zondo hears how Zuma was paid from intelligence slush fund for years
Mufamadi appeared before the commission earlier this week, where he revealed, among other things, that the SSA set aside millions of rand for alleged monthly payments to former president Jacob Zuma, the recruiting and handling of sources in the judiciary to influence the outcome of cases against Zuma, as well as the SSA planning to deal with bad publicity about South Africa, Zuma and the agency itself by infiltrating and influencing the media, News24 reported.
The inquiry continues.
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