Unconfirmed reports state that the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime DCEC is in the process of buying a high tech system that will help them eavesdrop on cell phone and electronic mail conversations of suspects to enhance their investigations.
Information passed to Sunday Standard suggest that DCEC is expected to purchase communication intercepting device during this financial year.
Information gathered thus far shows that sometime last year DCEC approached a certain South African company that sells such hi-tech equipments and expressed interest in buying the equipment.
The Attorney General’s Chambers and DCEC are reported to be currently in the process of formulating an act that will guide the directorate on how and when the device can be used to listen in on conversations of suspects who are under investigation or surveillance.
DCEC spokesperson Lentswe Motshoganetsi denied that DCEC was buying such equipment while the minister of Presidential Affairs Mokgweetsi Masisi said he was not aware of plans to purchase the device. “As the minister I only deal with the policy but when it comes to their operations I am not involved at all,” he said.
Contacted for comment, former DCEC boss Tymon Katlholo said the purchase of such a device was long overdue adding that DCEC should have a communication intercepting device.
He pointed out that investigating corruption is very complex because unlike other offences, corruption has no crime scene. Katlholo compared the spying device to a search warrant explaining that it would be used within the frame work of the law and allayed fears that innocent citizen’s phones would be bugged.
“This device is internationally accepted and it should be applied within the framework of the law,” said Katlholo.