The SSA slush fund operation was the financial engine of the intelligence agency's capture — a systematic diversion of public funds through fake covert operations, direct cash payments to politicians, and shell company laundering.
**The Scale: R1.5 Billion Through the CDSO**
Project Veza, the internal SSA investigation established in 2018 under Acting DG Loyiso Jafta, found R1.5 billion had been taken from state coffers between 2012 and 2018 under the guise of "covert operations." The money was channelled through the Chief Directorate of Special Operations (CDSO), established in 2012 under Thulani Dlomo, which ran all the unlawful projects.
In addition, R9 billion in fixed SSA assets could not be accounted for by investigators — a figure that suggests the financial abuse extended far beyond operational funds.
**Direct Cash Payments to the Minister**
The most explosive testimony concerned Minister David Mahlobo. Multiple SSA witnesses told the Zondo Commission that Mahlobo received regular cash payments: - **R2.5 million per month** in 2015/16 - Rising to **R4.5 million per month** in 2016/17 - Mahlobo signed receipts for approximately **R80 million** between 2015-2017 - He allegedly stated the money was destined for President Zuma
The Zondo Commission found the weight of evidence of Mahlobo's involvement in moving "huge" amounts of cash was "overwhelming." The Commission noted that since Mahlobo denied receiving the cash (contradicting multiple witnesses), "if it were to be established in a court that large amounts of cash were given to Mr Mahlobo, it would mean that he stole the money."
**Project Mayibuye: R54 Million/Year for Zuma**
Project Mayibuye was the umbrella covert operation through which funds were forwarded directly to President Zuma. Its budget was R54 million in 2016/17 alone. Sub-operations included Operation Commitment and others. Acting DG Jafta testified that the money "left the agency for the purposes of funding political activity principally within the ANC."
**How the Funds Were Laundered**
The CDSO developed multiple methods to divert funds: - **Fraudulent covert operations**: Fictitious projects set up as "special purpose vehicles to siphon funds" - **Shell companies**: Ralebipi Properties CC (owned by former NIA agent Matome Solomon Ralebipi) used for property purchases and money laundering - **Luxury vehicles**: 293 vehicles procured through the PAN and its successor structures - **Safe houses**: Leased for politically connected individuals, not for legitimate intelligence purposes - **Operation Lock**: Monthly payments of R100,000-R200,000 to apartheid assassin Eugene de Kock after his parole in 2015
**The Toxicology Unit**
After Zuma's alleged "poisoning" scares, the SSA under Mahlobo set up a toxicology unit in a house in Pretoria to test Zuma's food and bedsheets. Initial cost: R500,000/month, escalating to R1.5 million/month. The unit reportedly only ever found expired cool drinks in Nkandla's pantry.
**Prosecutions: Too Little, Too Late**
The first SSA-related prosecutions only began in 2025 — more than three years after the Zondo Commission's final report: - **Makhwathana and Ralebipi** (March 2025): Former Covert Support Unit manager and former NIA agent charged with money laundering, fraud, perjury involving R6 million. Ralebipi's shell company (Ralebipi Properties CC) used for laundering. - **Dlomo and Mshotholo** (December 2025): Dlomo arrested by IDAC, charged with theft, fraud, forgery involving R12 million. Both granted R20,000 bail.
These charges — totalling R18 million — represent barely 1% of the R1.5 billion identified by Project Veza. Fraser and Mahlobo, the two most senior figures, remain uncharged.