Heist accused a top spy
GRAEME
HOSKEN | 07 June, 2013 00:44
A suspect, under heavy police guard, lies on the
road after a foiled cash-in-transit heist
Image by: SUPPLIEDA policeman being
investigated for several deadly cash-in-transit robberies involving more than
R30-million is responsible for gathering crime intelligence on threats against
President Jacob Zuma and the top echelons of government.
The Times can today reveal that Captain Morris "KGB"
Tshabalala, - who yesterday appeared in the Sasolburg Magistrate's Court in
connection with the February 16 attack on a Protea Coin cash-in-transit van -
is part of an elite team that is partly responsible for protecting the
country's leaders.
Tshabalala, 39, and his colleague, Sergeant Willby Molefe, 41, who
appeared alongside four other accused, are stationed within the covert section
of police crime intelligence.
Three guards were injured in the Sasolburg, Free State, attack and an
estimated R3-million was stolen.
A seasoned police officer, Tshabalala has top security clearance that
allows him access to some of the state's most classified information - which
investigators believe he might have used to help plan at least seven
cash-in-transit robberies.
Tshabalala has been involved in numerous high-level intelligence
operations, including helping to foil the planned right-wing terror attack on
the ANC's 2012 elective conference in Mangaung.
He was also, according to police sources, instrumental in the criminal
investigation of former crime intelligence boss Lieutenant-General Richard
Mdluli (who is the subject of an internal disciplinary hearing).
Tshabalala was, according to sources, instrumental in solving the
complex case against cash-in-transit heist mastermind Collins Chauke a few
years ago.
Police arrested Tshabalala hours before he could compete in the Comrades
Marathon on Sunday. He appeared, in leg irons, in court yesterday on three
counts of attempted murder, armed robbery and possession of unlicensed firearms
and ammunition.
The Sasolburg court room was heavily guarded and packed to capacity with
crime intelligence officers in support of the policemen.
Tshabalala, still wearing a grey Comrades Marathon jacket; Molefe and
their co-accused, Sipho Nkosi, Mapotswe Moloi, Lehlogonolo Tlekelele and Sipho
Motsamayi, were remanded until Thursday for a formal bail application.
Information obtained by The Times from independent sources reveals that
the Asset Forfeiture Unit has joined a specialised team from the Hawks
investigating Tshabalala and his co-accused.
The team was formed after a high-level meeting between national police
commissioner General Riah Phiyega and senior staff of several cash-management companies
this week.
According to cash-management industry insiders, Tshabalala is suspected
of having used his position to plan and carry out heists.
The Asset Forfeiture Unit will investigate what happened to the more
than R30-million that the six are suspected of stealing in heists in Gauteng,
Eastern Cape and the Free State.
In one of the Gauteng heists carried out in 2010, a member of the
Johannesburg dog unit was killed.
Detectives close to the investigation described Tshabalala and his
colleagues as a law unto themselves.
"They are like God who has become the devil. They operate on their
own terms and account to no one. They are untouchable," said a detective.
"Our fear is that, like so many other similar cases against so many
other crime intelligence officers, this investigation will go nowhere," he
said.
Another detective confirmed that Tshabalala's job included assessments
of threats against the president and cabinet members.
"The clearance level they have is top-secret. They have access to
information that is limited to a handful of people. It is precisely this that
makes the allegations around what these policemen did so serious.
"The ramifications of what they are alleged to have done are huge
and if proved true will pose a critical threat to the safety of this
country."
Hawks spokesman Captain Paul Ramaloko would not comment on the
intelligence operations Tshabalala or Molefe were involved in.
"I will neither deny nor confirm the information. What I can say is
that, given the seriousness of the charges, both policemen have been suspended
immediately without pay," he said.
South African Police Union president Mpho Kwinika confirmed that
Tshabalala was involved in assessing threats against the state and the
president.
"These are high-level operatives, dealing with highly classified
information," he said.
Kwinika, however, voiced serious concerns about the motive of the
investigation.
"While we are disappointed by the allegations [and] we are not
saying that they did not commit these crimes, we are concerned by what appears
to be the sinister motive driving the investigation.
"Given his involvement in the Mdluli investigation, we strongly
believe there is more to this than what meets the eye and sincerely hope that
this is not a purge of good policemen," Kwinika said.
Tshabalala's wife, who refused to give her first name, said outside
court yesterday: "We are fine. We have never been more confident and are
convinced that this is nothing more than a ploy, which will be revealed in court."
THREE RUNGS ON THE SECRECY LADDER
- Top Secret: Captain Morris Tshabalala has the
highest security clearance.
He has access to classified information involving the president and
cabinet ministers. When dealing with threats to the state, people with this
level of clearance have practically unlimited access to intelligence.
This clearance level allows computer access to any South African's
personal details - including banking, medical and travel records;
- Secret: The second-highest clearance level
allows access to a limited amount of classified information;
- Confidential: The lowest security clearance,
allows access to information in connection with crimes not deemed to
involve major security threats.
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