Rogue Spying

Analyses persistent rogue intelligence practices in post-apartheid South Africa,
situating them within global security dynamics and exploring pathways to
accountability through advocacy, journalism and the law.
In South Africa’s democracy, the civilian intelligence agency’s power has been
weaponised to spy on political rivals, the media and civil society, while oversight
institutions largely falter. As inquiries into Jacob Zuma’s presidency open doors for
intelligence reform, Cyril Ramaphosa’s administration has, at important moments,
offered superficial fixes, entrenching state control.
Rogue Spying exposes this betrayal of public trust, tracing its roots to historical
conflicts and international drivers. With authoritarian nationalism on the rise globally,
powerful nations fuel a lawless surveillance race, threatening democratic freedoms
worldwide – South Africa included.
Drawing on exclusive interviews, declassified documents, and the author’s intrepid
activism, this account reveals how whistleblowers, journalists, and advocates have
fought for accountability through mass mobilisation, investigations and strategic
litigation.
Rogue Spying is a clarion call. It offers learnings and explores strategies to demand
accountability and rein in intelligence, ensuring it serves the public, not power.