10 March 2019 — Responding to allegations that surfaced in the Sunday Times today in the article titled ‘Zuma ‘spooked’ Cyril’s campaign[1]’, which examines the High Level Review Panel Report on the State Security Agency[2], Greenpeace Africa’s Executive Director, Njeri Kabeberi has said:

“Greenpeace Africa condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the allegations that under the Zuma administration state funds were used by Special Operations to monitor the activities of NGOs such as Right to Know and Greenpeace Africa. This is a clear abuse of power aimed at damaging the work that NGOs like Greenpeace Africa do to bring about social and environmental justice in South Africa. It is an attack on our constitutional rights and a misuse of funds, which are desperately needed for education, healthcare, and environmental justice issues.

“In a constitutional democracy like South Africa, there should be absolutely no space for state-funded spying on individuals and organisations who have clearly stated that they work towards achieving a more just South Africa. Our constitution and our laws clearly provide for the protection of human rights, the prevention of abuses of power, and freedom. Spying makes a mockery of this. Greenpeace Africa will be considering our options in light of these allegations.”

Media contact:

Chris Vlavianos, Communications Officer – Greenpeace Africa, 079 883 7036, [email protected]

Notes to the editor:
https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/news/2019-03-10-jacob-zuma-spooked-cyril-ramaphosas-campaign/
The full High Level Review Panel Report on the State Security Agency can be found here: http://www.thepresidency.gov.za/download/file/fid/1518. Greenpeace is referred to on page 66.