Masetlha loses court bid

Judge Ben du Plessis, says a report on Business Day site, ruled that the breakdown in the relationship of trust between Mbeki and Masetlha constituted a lawful basis for the President to have dismissed the applicant. It was in the interest of the President and the public to trust the head of the NIA. Masetlha has, meanwhile, been charged, together with software salesman Muziwendoda Kunene and NIA electronic surveillance manager Funowakhe Madlala, with fraud involving R152 000 relating to the hoax e-mails. These involved fabricated communication interceptions which made out that senior ANC members were involved in a conspiracy against the party’s Deputy President Jacob Zuma and Secretary-General Kgalema Motlanthe. The charge sheet alleges that they pretended to Mbeki, Intelligence Minister Ronnie Kasrils and the NIA that several ‘controversial and damaging’ documents were genuine, when they were actually fabrications. They will appear in court again on February 9. Masetlha is on bail of R10 000. Full report on Business Day site

Responding to the ruling, President Thabo Mbeki’s office said he was ‘satisfied’ with the decision. As always, the President accepted the outcome of the judicial process, but was satisfied with the outcome of this particular case, said presidential spokesperson Mukoni Ratshitanga, according to The Citizen. Full report in The Citizen