What does the release of the spy cables mean for the SSA?
It will be too early to say that. We have noted these reports and we are investigating them. These things include international intelligence services, so it is very tricky. We condemn it in the strongest possible terms. It undermines the operational effectiveness of intelligence and its mandate to secure the state and diplomatic relations.

What does your investigation entail?
First we need to find out if these are indeed our documents. If the answer is yes, then we will go on to find out who leaked them. It could be an operative … someone from intelligence or it can be a foreign government.

Once you find out who leaked the cables, what happens then?
Our main issue is to look for cracks if it leaked from the State Security Agency. And then when we identify that, we will have to look at the motive. The motive is important in understanding [why the cables were leaked].

Available: http://mg.co.za/article/2015-02-26-open-secrets-of-spies-in-our-midst