South Africa has a new head of State Security Agency’s (SSA) domestic branch – Advocate Mahlodi Sam Muofhe.
News24 reports that President Cyril Ramaphosa made the appointment following a recommendation by a high level review panel on SSA.
It also follows Ramaphosa’s announcement in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) in February that he would split SSA into domestic and foreign intelligence branches.
Speaking to News24, Muofhe said he looks forward to playing his role in “repurposing” SSA to play its proper role.
The agency properly focused on achieving its legislative mandate and can play a critical role in maintaining the integrity of our country and serve the people of South Africa distinctively.
Advocate Sam Muofhe
Muofhe is the former advisor to former mining Minister Ngoako Ramatlhodi.
He appeared at the State Capture Commission last year and testified on how the Gupta family attempted to influence him and Ramatlhodi.
Former President Jacob Zuma sensationally claimed during his appearance at the Commission in July that Ramatlhodi was an apartheid spy.
Ramatlhodi denied that claim and challenged Zuma to prove it using a lie detector test.
Muofhe also served as a special advisor to former State Security Minister Dipuo Letsatsi-Duba.
He has been a regular opinion columnist is various publications such as Mail & Guardian and EWN.
In a recent column, he said Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane must act in good faith and avoid “frivolous” litigation.