Riyaz Patel
President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Advocate Mahlodi Sam Muofhe as the new head of the domestic branch of the State Security Agency (SSA).
During his February State of the Nation Address, Ramaphosa announcement plans to re-establish the two arms of the intelligence service – one focusing on domestic and the other on foreign intelligence.
Muofhe, who served at the SSA as a special adviser to former minister Dipuo Letsatsi-Duba, said he was humbled by the warmth of the welcome he had received from his colleagues.
“I look forward to working with my colleagues to repurpose the SSA in general and the domestic branch, in particular, to work tirelessly within the confines of our Constitution, the Intelligence Act and other enabling acts and policies,” said Muofhe.
“It’s absolutely critical to comprehend that the intelligence service in a democratic dispensation such as ours, if properly managed, can save the country from all the ills of corruption and maladministration afflicting our country both in the public as well as the private sector, respectively,” he added.
Muofhe said his time at the SSA will be useful. “In the agency from the time when I joined initially as a special adviser to former minister Dipuo Letsatsi-Duba, to now in my new position as the director: domestic branch of SSA, exposed me to many outstanding women and men from various disciplines.
“These professionals are yearning to serve the people of SA and I am delighted that together with them, we will be able to deliver quality services. Intelligence in the 21st century requires intellectual sophistication and there are many officials in the agency equal to this daunting task.”
Muofhe has a history as an advocate, activist and politician.
He received an LLB from Unisa and was admitted as an advocate in 2011.
According to his lengthy LinkedIn CV, he has expertise in advanced labour law, environmental law, human rights law, media law and professional ethics.
Muofhe worked in the mayor’s office in Ekhuruleni from 2006 until 2010 and also in the Gauteng Department of Social Development as head of the MEC’s office and communications.
Last year, he testified at the Zondo inquiry into state capture about how, while an adviser to Ramatlhodi, he “declined a directive” to attend a dinner at the Gupta compound in Saxonwold.
Between 2000 and 2003, he was a business columnist and investigative journalist at the Sowetan and Sunday World newspapers.
Last year, Muofhe briefly served as the chief governance officer of the special investigating unit (SIU).
Muofhe told the inquiry how he had received a letter from a Gupta-associated company directing him to attend the dinner and to discuss a “working relationship” but he did not attend.
In June, he penned an opinion piece for Inside Politics unpacking Ramaphosa’s SONA address, saying, the president’s so-called ‘Dream Speech “Isn’t a policy statement… It is a vision, which, if we put all our hands on deck, can be realized.”
