The State Security Agency (SSA) appears to have spied on South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) employees without the required permission from a judge.

Justice and correctional services minister Michael Masutha revealed in a written reply to a question in Parliament on Tuesday that designated judge Yvonne Mokgoro‚ in terms of the Regulation of Interceptions of Communications and Provision of Communication-Related Information Act‚ did not recall granting permission to the SABC and SSA to intercept the communications of any employee.

This comes after evidence revealed that the SSA investigated certain SABC staff members after they allegedly leaked information about the public broadcaster.

President Zuma appoints interim SABC board President Jacob Zuma has appointed an interim SABC board‚ the presidency said on Sunday.

This was revealed during a recent parliamentary inquiry into the SABC. “Judge Makgoro has informed me that she has not‚ to the best of her recollection‚ authorised the State Security Agency to intercept the communications of any individuals said to be working for the South African Broadcasting Corporation during the periods mentioned‚” said Masutha.

He was responding to a question from DA MP Mike Waters who asked if Judge Mokgoro authorised the SSA to intercept the communications of any individuals who worked for the SABC in the last two financial years.

‘Welcome home Hlaudi’ concert hosted by cash-strapped Free State municipality Exactly two weeks after the Public Protector hauled the cash-strapped Maluti-a-Phofung municipality over the coals for severe service delivery failures‚ the Free State local council on Saturday hosted a “welcome home” concert for controversial former SABC COO Hlaudi Motsoeneng.

“The Honourable Member should note that Judge Yvonne Mokgoro was indeed the designated judge during 2014/15‚ 2015/16 financial years until May 31‚ 2016‚ appointed in terms of the Regulation of Interceptions of Communications and Provision of Communication-Related Information Act‚ 70 of 2002 (RICA)‚” Masutha confirmed.

Waters said the DA would write to the Inspector General of Intelligence‚ Dr Setlhomamaru Dintwe‚ to request that he conduct an investigation into the allegations made by SABC journalists that their communications were monitored and intercepted.

ANC faction loyal to Zuma breaks all the rules in its quest for power One sunny summer afternoon in 2010, Andile Lungisa received a strange call while in the company of journalists, including the author of this piece, at an eatery in Rosebank.

Former SABC general manager of labour relations‚ Madiwe Nkosi‚ told the parliamentary inquiry into the broadcaster that the SSA was asked to investigate former group executive of risk and governance‚ Itani Tseisi‚ for allegedly leaking information.

“If Judge Mokgoro did not authorise the alleged tapping‚ it is possible that it was done without authorisation‚ which is a criminal offence and must be treated with the seriousness it deserves‚” said Waters.

SSA spokesman Brian Dube had not responded to questions on the alleged communication interception earlier on Tuesday.

- TMG Digital/The Times