Johannesburg – Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni is facing serious allegations of abusing state resources to further her political ambitions, according to a leaked intelligence report. The report, which has been seen by Sunday World, claims that Ntshavheni initiated a covert operation, codenamed "Sibonkolo," initially aimed at monitoring and smearing Deputy President Paul Mashatile. However, the scope of the operation has reportedly expanded to target nine other senior ANC politicians, suggesting Ntshavheni has ambitions to climb into the party's top leadership echelons.
The report doesn't specify which position within the ANC's "top six" Ntshavheni is allegedly vying for.
Those allegedly targeted by the "Sibonkolo" operation include:
- Paul Mashatile (Deputy President)
- Mmamoloko Kubayi (Minister of Justice)
- Zizi Kodwa (Former Minister)
- Bejani Chauke (ANC National Executive Committee Member)
- Ronald Lamola (Minister of International Relations)
- Angie Motshekga (Minister of Defence)
- Oscar Mabuyane (Eastern Cape Premier)
- Panyaza Lesufi (Gauteng Premier)
- Zamani Saul (Northern Cape Premier)
The report alleges that the operation seeks to defame these individuals and promote certain political figures, including Ntshavheni herself. Those purportedly being protected by the operation are:
- Gwen Ramokgopa (ANC Treasurer General)
- Bheki Cele (Former Minister)
- Malusi Gigaba (Former Minister)
- Mzwandile Masina (Former Ekurhuleni Mayor)
- TK Nciza (Former Gauteng ANC Secretary)
- Fikile Mbalula (ANC Secretary General)
Ntshavheni's confidantes and sympathisers have dismissed the report as "hogwash" and the work of rogue elements within the State Security Agency (SSA), which falls under her purview. They argue that the allegations are an attempt to discredit her, particularly in light of her ongoing efforts to reform the SSA.
"Despite the attempts to discredit her, she is continuing with the voluntary severance packages for SSA members who are over the age of 50," a source said. "In a parliamentary reply, she mentioned the introduction of a panel to deal with malfeasance starting at the earliest next month."
The source added that Ntshavheni's shake-up of the SSA, including a skills audit that revealed an aging workforce in leadership roles, has earned her enemies within the agency. Her efforts to address these issues through succession planning, mentoring, and disciplinary panels chaired by senior counsel are seen as a threat to those benefiting from the status quo.
Another source suggested that Ntshavheni's close relationship with President Cyril Ramaphosa has made other aspiring contenders in the ANC succession race uncomfortable. They claim that she is being groomed to potentially take over the leadership of the ANC, and that she, along with her presidency colleague Maropene Ramokgopa, Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi, and Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane, have been dubbed "CR's blue-eyed girls" within ANC circles.
"Everybody who has an interest in running for the ANC leadership position has a bone to pick with her," the source said. "They see her as a threat, and it makes them uncomfortable. She does not have a campaign, and she is not entertaining those things."
Sunday World understands that a former chief lobbyist of Ramaphosa travelled to India with a senior ANC leader, and Ntshavheni was invited but declined to attend.
The report alleges that Ntshavheni sought the services of an Indian company to run smear campaigns against her targets on social media, paying them R500,000 for a 10-day trial. It further claims that this company is working with Israel's intelligence agency, Mossad, on a similar campaign for the Israeli government.
A person sympathetic to Ntshavheni questioned the credibility of the report, pointing out inconsistencies and unlikely alliances among those listed. "How do you have [TK] Nciza and [Malusi] Gigaba working together with Mbalula when politically they have had a fallout?" they asked. "Why would Ntshavheni target Lamola, Chauke and Motshekga? It is well known that she has a close relationship with the three of them. This is the most fake of all reports I have seen."
In conclusion, the report recommends closely monitoring activities leading up to all ANC events and establishing an intelligence assessment team in KwaZulu-Natal.
The report was allegedly compiled by unnamed intelligence operatives who reportedly visited the Indian company's headquarters in Mumbai, where they met with the person running its operations.
When contacted for comment, Ntshavheni stated: "I have no comment as I have a lot of work to do and really have no time for sinister covert games."
