Issued by: Office of the Executive Deputy President
This office categorically denies allegations by Mr Werner von Gruenen that Executive Deputy President Thabo Mbeki and Mr Sydney Mufamadi, Minister for Safety and Security, were aware of spying activities on NP-aligned persons in the North Eastern Metropolitan Council (NEMC).
On the contrary, Von Gruenen approached the Office of the Deputy President for a meeting last year on the basis that he possessed information which implicated senior government officials in criminal conduct.
Given the seriousness of the allegations, Deputy President Mbeki together with Minister Mufamadi agreed to meet Von Gruenen. At this meeting and a subsequent one, Von Gruenen failed to back this information with factual evidence.
This office unequivocally states that at no stage during these discussions was Von Gruenen given ament by either Deputy President Mbeki or Minister Mufamadi to spyeless, Deputy President Mbeki vie's allegations in a serious light and will support any investigations by the SA Police Service to arrive at the truth.
Issued by: Thami Ntenteni, Director: Communications Tel: 083 555 5118
Date: 22 January 1996