GOVERNMENT has been linked to an alleged plan to sell sophisticated cellphone surveillance technology following evidence presented before South Africa’s Madlanga Commission.
The commission heard on Tuesday that a group of individuals allegedly sought to market surveillance and jamming technology to the Eswatini government in a deal involving equipment capable of identifying and monitoring mobile phones.
The evidence was presented by evidence leader Advocate Matthew Chaskalson during proceedings into allegations of corruption and criminality within South Africa’s police and political structures. According to the evidence, late taxi boss Jothan ‘Mswazi’ Msibi, Katiso ‘KT’ Molefe and businessman Steve Motsumi were allegedly involved in efforts to acquire and market the technology on behalf of the SA government, as they allegedly posed as members representing the State. Suspended SAPS officer Sergeant Fannie Nkosi was also linked to the discussions.
The technology was described as a ‘grabber’ and is understood to refer to an IMSI catcher, a device capable of mimicking a cellphone tower and identifying mobile devices within its range.
Chaskalson told the commission that WhatsApp communications extracted from Msibi’s phone appeared to show discussions about the proposed transaction and the possibility of selling the equipment to Eswatini.
In one exchange cited before the commission, a person saved on Nkosi’s phone as ‘Shaun Jacobs, phone expert’ reportedly asked whether the ‘Swazi deal’ was still possible.
Msibi allegedly responded that the deal was still on the table but the equipment would first have to be demonstrated.
The evidence also suggested that those involved had dealings with Invasys, a Czech technology company associated with the supply of the surveillance equipment.
The commission heard that the individuals allegedly presented themselves as having links to the South African state when dealing with the technology supplier. Questions were also raised over documentation purportedly connected to the South African Police Service which was allegedly used to facilitate discussions around the technology.
Chaskalson described the situation as worrying, saying such technology should only go into the hands of intelligence agencies, which are themselves constrained in their use of such equipment by strict legislative controls.
A quotation dated May 23, 2023, showed an Active Monitoring System, including a laptop, software and one MultiRAT-BTS, priced at €780 000, approximately E15.5 million.
The quotation also listed two optional MultiRAT BTS units at €150 000 each, totalling €300 000 or approximately E6 million, as well as a Tactical DDS Jammer 1000W, 10 Channel, 20–6000MHz, including a battery and Pelican Case, priced at €80 000 or approximately E1.6 million.
