Posted on 01/21/2005 9:26:57 PM PST by HAL9000
A South African spy captured by Zimbabwean counter intelligence is alleged to have been severely tortured before agreeing to co-operate with local officials, the Institute for Security Studies said in Pretoria today. The spy recently was nabbed by Zimbabwean Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) operatives at Victoria Falls and under questioning, revealed the names of his collaborators within the governing Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (Zanu(PF)).Chris Maroleng, an analyst, said the spy would not have naturally agreed to work with the Zimbabweans as they had alleged and therefore must have reached his "pain threshold". "The Zimbabwean CIO are renowned worldwide for their torture techniques and for their ability to extract information," he said today.
Maroleng said the spy, who had not been named, was involved in a high-risk operation to try and win over the head of the Zimbabwean Counter Intelligence. "It obviously failed," Maroleng said. This development would be a major blow for South Africa's foreign policy on Zimbabwe, which in the past could be described as "quiet diplomacy".
Strained relations
Maroleng said it would also severely dent personal relations between Robert Mugabe, the Zimbabwean president, and Thabo Mbeki, the South African president, which at best could be described as cordial. He said South Africa had adopted its foreign policy position following Zimbabwe's 2002 general election, after which the country's armed forces refused to support any non Zanu(PF) government.
"South Africa realised it needed to create change from within the Zanu(PF) government as a government led by the opposition - Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) - would not be backed by the military," said Maroleng.
He said South African intelligence started creating support within the Emmerson Mnangagwa camp, who was widely seen as Mugabe's successor until he was effectively sidelined in the Zanu(PF)'s December 2004 party conference. "Mugabe created a power axis during the conference that cut out all young progressive members. He then drew support from all those with proven liberation credentials," he said.
Spy ring
Six senior Zanu(PF) members including a Member of Parliament have been accused of taking part in the spy ring that was allegedly providing the South African government with information on the party's affairs. According to AFP, Phillip Chiyangwa, a provincial Zanu(PF) chairperson and former Zimbabwe consul-general in South Africa, was arrested in December on charges of selling state secrets.
The state-run Herald in Zimbabwe reported Chiyangwa received US10 000 a month to pass on information to South Africa. Four other party officials are being held in Zimbabwe for violating the Official Secrets Act -- Godfrey Dzvairo, newly appointed Zimbabwe's ambassador to Mozambique, Zanu(PF)'s director for external affairs Itai Marchi, top security officer Kenny Karidza, and banker Tendai Matambandazo.
The sixth person allegedly connected to the affair, Zimbabwean diplomat Erasmus Moyo, reportedly escaped while being moved from Geneva to Harare. Maroleng said South Africa would undoubtedly try and retrieve their spy but under current conditions it would prove very difficult. "The South African position is severely undermined by this development," said Maroleng adding it would mean that the hard core led by Mugabe would now view South Africa with increasing suspicion. The South African Department of Intelligence declined to comment today.
All I have to say is Rhodesia and S.Africa got allong just fine
Perhaps we could outsource the staffing of Gitmo to Zimbabwe?
I must admit I'm surprised that South Africa would send a spy to Zimbabwe, seeing as how Thabo Mbeki has such a cozy relationship with that racist pig, Mugabe. This is where I have to take my hat off to Desmnd Tutu. He has been slamming Mugabe at every turn, while people like Nelson Mandela has been apologising and shilling for Mugabe.
Both China and North Korea helped Mugabe get entrenched in power. NK trained the infamous Fifth Brigade which went on a killing rampage in the mid 80s. I'm sure the CIO had help too, as well as developing some local tricks. Ugh.
Aw the Zims have had a easy road to the championship with Saddam's sons retired.
South African Department of Intelligence please just do the world a big favor and whack Mugabe for us
That is literal in the case of froggystan.
After all, stopping torture was the goal, not the undermining of our military right?
After all, stopping torture was the goal, not the undermining of our military right?
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Remember that email I sent you? This is only the beginning. Mugabe got a little upset at Condi because she's got his number.
This is an interesting development. Maybe Mbeki might reactivate EO or at least get some feedback from Ratte. Considering Rice's comments on Zim it makes me wonder what else has been discovered in Zim. Look at all the favors Gaddafi was doing over the past couple of years, oil, money, etc. There had to be some payback, safehouses? Nmugabe is coming to the end and the whole thing will blow up again.
<< .... Tutu ... has been slamming Mugabe at every turn, while people like Nelson Mandela has been apologising and shilling for Mugabe. >>
That's because poor silly Tutu is only stupid -- albiet thicker than two planks -- while Mandela and Mbeki and the rest of their lying, looting, thieving, mass-murdering Marxist mob are every bit as bloody evil as Mugabe!
agreed
Time for the next plan.
pingabe
Thanks!
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