Mahlobo warns of agencies working to destabilise SA
The state security minister says some foreign agencies are working with domestic forces to delegitimise govt.
CAPE TOWN - State Security Minister David Mahlobo has told Parliament that some foreign agencies are secretly working to destabilise the country by working with domestic forces, who may be unwittingly collaborating.
He says similar attempts to delegitimise the governments of Syria and Libya have led to chaos and suffering.
Mahlobo was non-specific when he told MPs that the media, NGO's, religious and student organisations are being used to push this agenda.
African National Congress (ANC) Secretary-General Gwede Mantashe caused a stir earlier this year when he claimed the US Embassy in South Africa was trying to influence regime change in the country.
Today, Mahlobo delivered a budget vote speech pregnant with innuendo.
"We must never yield to some domestic and international forces as South Africans, who have intentions of creating conditions conducive for an unconstitutional change of government."
It also appears Mahlobo has taken a dig at Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema.
"The problem is when we allow some people, especially if you have that one family member who's mentally disturbed, when a mentally disturbed person talks, let them talk and don't pay attention to them. But if you dare give them matchsticks, you need to make sure you restrain them because they will burn down the house."
Malema's threat that his party is prepared to take up arms against the government if provoked, has raised the ire of the governing ANC.
The EFF leader also claimed during a television interview with Al Jazeera that the ANC in Gauteng rigged elections.
