Hawks team to probe spy device
The Hawks have put together a crack team to investigate how super-spy device “The Grabber” was brought into the country.
|||Johannesburg - The Hawks have put together a crack team to investigate how the super-spy device confiscated from private citizens was brought into the country.
Hawks spokesman Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi said on Wednesday they were investigating which country the surveillance machine, nicknamed The Grabber, originated from and how it was procured.
He said they were also investigating who had given permission for the device to enter the country.
Mulaudzi said their team was working with the State Security Agency, among other law enforcement agencies.
To acquire a Grabber, presidential authority or permission from security cluster departments is required. The super-spy device was acquired after a senior government official from the Department of Public Service and Administration fraudulently wrote a letter claiming it was wanted by the government.
Sources said the equipment was manufactured and bought in Israel. It was brought into South Africa in pieces and then assembled by a Cape Town company.
The Israeli Embassy refused to comment on whether the company that sold the device to the private citizens flouted the rules.
The embassy also wouldn’t be drawn into revealing more details about the probe.
“The rest will be divulged once the investigation has been concluded,” an embassy official said.
The high-level investigation comes after police arrested three men in Irene Mall in Centurion as they were trying to sell the surveillance machine on July 31.
Willie Lotter is facing charges for being in possession of the prohibited machine and is out on R10 000 bail.
The other two men were released due to insufficient evidence.
Johan Burger, a senior researcher at the Institute for Security Studies, said intelligence and law enforcement agencies were losing control of the systems they were entrusted with.
He said they lost firearms which then found their way into the hands of criminals or private citizens.
The spy device was brought into South Africa and installed in a Mercedes-Benz Viano. It is understood the vehicle travelled to several places in the country, including OR Tambo International Airport.
Powerful surveillance machines that can access bank transactions and jam cellphone network signals have allegedly been used to intercept cellphone conversations of ministers and powerful politicians as well.
Sources said the device was initially brought into the country to spy on cigarette smugglers. The gang wanted to monitor the movements of rival gangs and intercept their cellphone conversations.
The group was seeking a monopoly over the illicit multi-billion trade and wanted the police’s permission to destroy other cigarette smugglers so that “only they would make money”.
According to the proposal allegedly penned by the gang, most illegal cigarettes found in the South African market are produced in Zimbabwe and smuggled into this country through intricate networks.
“Illicit stock is also found in South African ports, and originates from Dubai and the Far East.”
The gang adds that the government is losing billions in lost revenue, and spent millions in its attempts to prevent smuggling.
The gang also allegedly wanted to gather intelligence and use the information to develop systems and plans that would prevent new opportunities cropping up for smugglers as well as prevent them from restarting their own operation.
The document states that the only solution is for new entities to trade in cigarettes legally, have a warehouse, do proper invoicing and pay all taxes.
The first entity, Backspace Marketing Pty (Limited), would focus on illicit brands imported from neighbouring countries, mainly Zimbabwe, the document says.
solly.maphumulo@inl.co.za
The Star