State security minister's request to postpone intelligence agency acting DG's evidence at Zondo commission dismissed

The State Capture Commission has dismissed an application by state security minister Ayanda Dlodlo to delay the evidence of acting director-general of the intelligence agency Loyiso Jafta.

Dlodlo made an application to have Jafta’s testimony, who heads the State Security Agency (SSA) postponed to a later date due to national security concerns, her lawyer Dumisa Ntsebeza argued.

Jafta’s lawyer Marumo Mwerane said his client did not believe that there is anything in the evidence to be presented before the commission that could compromise state security. It is the same view that was held by evidence leader Paul Pretorius.

“Great care has been taken by the director-general in consultation with the commission to ensure that the legitimate interest of state security will be protected in the evidence to come," he said.

Commission chairperson Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo said it will be difficult for Jafta’s evidence to be delayed as the commission is rushing to complete its work before the end of March. “Once we’ve lost this week, it is difficult to know where we will slot this testimony,” Zondo said.

Commission chairperson Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo said, in her application Dlodlo failed to give detail what aspects of Jafta’s testimony raised issues of national security.

“It seems to me that there has been enough time…for her to have been able to say these are my concern relating to national security…that has not be done. As things stand I am going to dismiss the application. I am not preventing you if later on you have substantive paper that remedy the deficiencies that are here now, I will look at them at that stage,” Zondo said.

The commission heard that Dlodlo received the Jafta’s affidavit on Monday at 8pm.

Jafta is scheduled to provide evidence before the commission which is likely to share more detail on the allegations of abuse of power, theft of money and corruption that was revealed by former safety and security minister Sydney Mufamadi on Monday.