SSA distances itself from allegations that Xiaomei Harvard is a spy

The Deputy Minister of State Security, Zizi Kodwa, distanced the State Security Agency (SSA) from the allegations that ANC MP Dr Xiaomei Harvard is sharing highly classified information about the country with the Chinese government. In the exclusive article, News24 claimed a leaked intelligence report – from the SSA – concluded that there is a “high likelihood” that the Chinese-born Harvard could be a spy for the Chinese Communist Party.

SSA RUBISHES HARVARD ALLEGATIONS

Kodwa said that the SSA took serious exception to the News24 article “purporting that they are in possession of an SSA report alleging ‘a finding of high likelihood of ANC MP Ms Xiaomei Havard to be spying for China.’”

The Deputy Minister said the agency distances itself from the “malicious falsehood” and added that they believe the media platform is being used to advance ulterior motives and discredit the SSA.

“We, therefore, condemn with the contempt it deserves the attack on the integrity of Ms Havard and the malicious portrayal of the Chinese government as hostile to South Africa’s national security,” said Kodwa.

“Ms Havard, like any other South African, is entitled to the rights contained in our Bill of Rights as enshrined in the Constitution,” said the Deputy Minister.

The DA’s Shadow Minister of State Security, Dianne Kohler Barnard, called for the government to make the alleged report public. Barnard added that the opposition party have also asked for the report to be added to the agenda of the Joint Standing Committee on intelligence.

‘I AM NOT A SPY’

The ANC donor-turned-MP, Harvard, told TimesLive, that the “leaked report” is part of a smear campaign against her.

“There are several mafias who have been sabotaging me for over five years. They plotted the distorted story, linked with several media. I am not a spy,” said Harvard to TimesLive.

“I never engage any spy allegations. Only God is with me, behind me. God will punish all these mafias and their stories [and] put the evil to hell. I’ve had enough, have to take legal action against the evil.”

Harvard’s rapid ascendance in South African politics has raised a few eyebrows. Earlier this year, it was claimed that she donated millions of rand to the ANC. “…and many saw this as the reason she became an MP. She was given the Parliamentary seat of the late Minister in the Presidency, Jackson Mthembu,” Barnard.