POLITICS

State Security Agency must place and serve country first, not Zuma – Pieter Groenewald

FF Plus says Fraser's appointment as new Director General is proof that the president is trying to place loyalists in strategic positions

State Security Agency must place and serve country first, not Zuma

27 September 2016  

The appointment of Arthur Fraser as the new Director General of the State Security Agency is proof that President Jacob Zuma is still trying to place personal loyalists in strategic positions, Dr. Pieter Groenewald, the FF Plus’ spokesperson on State Security, said.

Dr. Groenewald says it is well known that Fraser had allegedly played a big role in the so-called Spy-tape saga which led to President Zuma not being prosecuted on 783 charges against him.

“There is already a problem at the State Security Agency in that it is focusing more on Zuma’s opponents on a political level than it is doing to keep the country safe.

“A good example of this is the dispute that arose about the Isis attacks in the country, following the warning of the USA that such terror attacks may indeed occur in South Africa.

“Even when xenophobic attacks in South Africa, and the destruction of property in the run-up to the recent elections are considered, it is clear that the State Security Agency had not done its work and was caught off-guard by these violent outbursts.

“The FF Plus’ view is that the State Security Agency should put South Africa’s safety as a first priority, and not the retention of Zuma in his office,” Dr. Groenewald said.

Issued by Pieter Groenewald, FF Plus chief spokesperson: State Security, 27 September 2016