Rogue Spying

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 opened 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 legal counsel have fought for accountability through mass mobilisation, investigative journalism and strategic litigation. Rogue Spying is a clarion call. It provides valuable insights and explores strategies to promote transparency and control over intelligence, ensuring it serves public interest, not state power.