The State Security Agency wants journalists and the public excluded from the remainder of a R12 million criminal trial involving two former intelligence officials.
According to Daily Maverick, the SSA filed a counter-application in the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria seeking to close proceedings while evidence is led in the trial of Thulani “Silence” Dlomo and Patrick Mshothola. The agency also wants information from closed hearings barred from publication.
SSA Warns of Intelligence Risks
Daily Maverick reports that SSA Acting Deputy Director-General James Ramabulana argues testimony could expose intelligence sources, operational methods, infrastructure and cooperation with foreign intelligence services.
The SSA says protecting witness identities alone would not be enough because sensitive information could emerge unexpectedly during testimony or cross-examination.
The agency says it aims to protect intelligence operations rather than shield the accused from accountability.
Media Groups Fight Closure
Media24, amaBhungane, Daily Maverick and the Campaign for Free Expression are opposing the SSA’s application.
According to Daily Maverick, they argue that the agency has not provided specific facts showing how open proceedings would harm national security. They say narrower measures, including redactions and restrictions on specific evidence, could protect sensitive information.
The media groups also rely on a Constitutional Court judgment which held that the classification of court documents does not automatically prevent courts from deciding whether they should be disclosed.
Project Mayibuye Under Scrutiny
Dlomo and Mshothola face allegations relating to the alleged misappropriation of R12 million in SSA funds in 2015 under Project Mayibuye, according to Daily Maverick. Both accused are presumed innocent and the allegations remain to be tested in court.
The official State Capture Commission report provides additional background on Project Mayibuye. It recorded evidence that Dlomo was involved in withdrawals and movement of large amounts of cash linked to projects under the Mayibuye umbrella, with inadequate accounting and financial controls.
The court must now decide whether journalists and the public can continue attending the remaining evidence in the trial.