[DEBATE] : (Fwd) Chikane on criminal crony patrimonialism

[Patrick Bond]

sunday independent
Devil's work on state levers must be stopped - Chikane

November 18, 2007 Edition 1

Angela Quintal

Criminal syndicates had infiltrated sensitive state structures - 
including the heart of security agencies - while ex-agents and even 
"comrades" had tried to play the system for their own sinister ends, 
said Reverend Frank Chikane, the director-general in the presidency.

The national security system and co-ordination of work between the 
different security agencies was key to winning the battle to stop such 
rot, Chikane said.

"We can't allow - having fought for our freedom - a situation that 
allows criminals to get a hold on the levers of the state," Chikane said.

"We must ensure it does not happen and it won't happen now. The 
[national security] system is co-ordinated sufficiently now and we are 
also working on co-ordination between the police and the directorate of 
special operations "

In an interview, Chikane also said that "we can't allow any political 
faction of any nature" to use the levers of state to achieve its own 
narrow political interests.

His comment came against a backdrop of accusations, on both sides of the 
succession battle, of abuse of state organs for political purposes.

"If we did that, our freedoms are gone," Chikane said.

He acknowledged when the ANC came into power it went out of its way to 
avoid the concept of a national security state favoured by Latin 
American countries and the apartheid government.

"So we were slow in areas of security issues. We created such a nice 
democracy and we did not have to worry . There was no threat in terms of 
national security.

"Over the years the criminals became cleverer and were able to use the 
instruments of state to achieve their own objectives," Chikane said.

He cited personal examples - including the theft of his car and his 
sister's car accident in Soweto - to describe a system where syndicates, 
rogue intelligence officers and police are intertwined and play each 
other off, with the criminals the ultimate winners.

Investigations into the Browse "mole" report had helped to understand 
the rot.

"We now have information about all these guys who leave the intelligence 
services to set up their things there, because they are so highly 
skilled, they know how to work and create conflict between the agencies 
of the state, and also to manipulate them, to employ them to get money.

"They are part of the syndicate, they know the syndicate, they come to 
you and say we have information, we can help you, and they give you 
information that is valid and you get confident."

Chikane cited the example of plea bargains granted to those accused of 
serious crimes that were not in the national interest, and how 
syndicates were playing law enforcement agencies off against each other 
and using the very system to stay out of jail.

"We can't have a situation where the little poor criminal sits in jail, 
can't pay bail and is sent to jail and can't even plea bargain, but the 
big guys, who are dealing with millions play the game and win.

"We can't have a democracy like that. We need a democracy that will make 
sure that the millionaire knows that I am no different from the poor 
guy, who does not have food on his plate. That's the bottom line for 
me," said Chikane.

He avoided discussing cases in the media spotlight, including those 
believed to have contributed to the fitness of Vusi Pikoli, suspended 
NPA boss, to hold office, but said the media had missed the point 
because they were looking for politics.