Malema claims he has names of SSA spies planted in the EFF

EFF leader Julius Malema has claimed that he knows the identities of people allegedly planted inside the party by the State Security Agency (SSA), following revelations that millions of rand in public funds were used to infiltrate the organisation.

Speaking at the EFF’s final Tshela Thupa rally at Orlando Stadium on Saturday, Malema addressed allegations emerging from the ongoing fraud and theft trial of two former intelligence officials.

He told supporters that the SSA allegedly spent R12 million on Project Mayibuye, an operation that targeted the EFF and the Fees Must Fall movement.

“That is why the State Security Agency, through Project Mayibuye, used R12 million of public money to infiltrate both the EFF and Fees Must Fall. They planted spies in our ranks. They tried to divide us, to weaken us and to win our members back to the ANC,” Malema said.

He insisted that the alleged operation had failed to break the party.

“They failed. We defeated them. The EFF remains intact,” he added.

The claims come as details of the controversial intelligence operation emerge during the trial of former SSA officials Thulani “Silence” Dlomo and Patrick Mshothola at the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria.

R12 million allegedly used to fund Project Mayibuye

The State, represented by the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC), alleges that Dlomo and Mshothola fraudulently withdrew R12 million in three separate tranches in early 2015 to finance Project Mayibuye.

Prosecutors allege that only R1 million was used for the operation, while the remaining R11 million was stolen.

The alleged theft involved a disputed contract with Korolo Investment Holdings. The company’s director testified that he had never signed the agreement.

During the trial, a protected witness identified as Mr D, a former SSA official, told the court there was no evidence suggesting that the EFF posed a national security threat when it was targeted in 2015.

At the time, the EFF was barely two years old but had become a vocal opponent of then-president Jacob Zuma.

Mr D also testified that an internal intelligence investigation known as Project Veza found that Project Mayibuye had not been properly authorised and should have been stopped.

He further told the court that he discovered 20 boxes of Special Operations documents, along with four metal boxes containing silencers and surveillance equipment.

Another protected witness, Mr B, testified that the operation began shortly before the chaotic February 2015 State of the Nation Address and continued until January 2016, when its funding reportedly dried up.

Planning allegedly started in December 2014 during a meeting at the home of then State Security Minister David Mahlobo.

According to the testimony, Project Mayibuye targeted the EFF’s internal structures and parliamentary caucus, as well as Fees Must Fall, non-governmental organisations, the judiciary and other groups viewed as potential threats to Zuma.

Malema says he has a list of alleged infiltrators

One of the most significant claims from Malema’s address was that he had received a list identifying people allegedly involved in the infiltration of the EFF.

The party was granted partial access to court records and transcripts this week to investigate the extent of the alleged operation.

Malema said the list had been handed to him three days before the rally and contained the full names and positions of people allegedly involved.

“I have that list with me. I know their names, I know their surnames, I know the positions they used to hold in the EFF and I know the positions they hold in the EFF,” he told supporters.

He added that the document had been locked away in a safe.

Malema also suggested that the alleged intelligence operation extended beyond Project Mayibuye, linking it to later attempts to destabilise the EFF and transfer its leadership and membership to the MK Party.

“Project Mayibuye did not end when the money stopped. The same agenda continued, in different forms, with the attempt to collapse the EFF and to hand its leadership and its members to Jacob Zuma and the MK Party,” he said.

The EFF is considering laying formal complaints with the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Inspector-General of Intelligence.

Court rejects Dlomo’s discharge application

The trial also reached an important stage after the State closed its case on Thursday.

The defence subsequently applied for a discharge under Section 174 of the Criminal Procedure Act, arguing that there was insufficient evidence for the two accused to be convicted.

However, the court dismissed Dlomo’s application, finding that there was sufficient evidence for him to answer to the charges, including allegations involving falsified documents.

The proceedings are continuing as the court considers the allegations surrounding the use of intelligence funds and the activities of Project Mayibuye.

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Source: IOL