Issued by: Ministry for Intelligence Services
8 December 1999
It has come to my attention that Mr. Deon Mostert, who has been arrested today in connection with the recent Cape Town bombing, claims to be an NIA agent. I have checked with the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Mr V Mavimbela, who has assured me that Mr. Deon Mostert is neither a source nor an agent of the Agency. I would therefore like to assure the public that NIA has no connection with him.
Further, I am advised that the information has been deliberately planted in the media with the aim of diverting the focus of the investigation and discrediting the NIA and demoralising the eyes and ears of our nation. I reiterate that this campaign has found a fertile soil in those who are gullible enough to fall for such a trap. We reiterate that we will take the sternest possible measures, within the framework of our Constitution and legislation, to protect the Agency and its members from undue criticism and malicious rumours. I would like to appeal to the public not to fall for such vicious campaigns of misinformation and lies.
Issued by the Ministry for Intelligence Services.
Contact: Dennis Thokozani Nkosi 082 801 8410.