TSHWANE – Former South African intelligence Minister Ronnie Kasrils told the North Gauteng High Court on Tuesday that he has feared for his life and security since he was labelled as a counter-revolutionist by Deputy Defence Minister Kebby Maphatsoe.

Kasrils said as a result he has had to move from his remote residence in Cape Town to another place, where he felt safer. He also said he had received veiled threats from people who believed the ruling African National Congress (ANC) could do no wrong.

Led by his legal counsel, Advocate Dali Mpofu, Kasrils explained that he used to go into townships without any fear, but now could not go anywhere or even attend a relative’s wedding without being concerned. He also said he could see the nervousness this had wrought in his family.

Kasrils said the derogatory statements made against him had also affected him financially and had ruined his reputation around the world.

“Besides my pension … I earn a living through invited talks. Invites have been drying out over the past two years.”

Kasrils is suing Maphatsoe, who is also Umkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans Association (MKMVA) head, for R1 million, including legal costs, for calling him a “counter-revolutionary and an enemy of the people”.

The former intelligence minsiter alleges that Maphatsoe accused him of setting up Zuma for a rape charge.

Kasrils, who said he suspects he is under surveillance, has consistently denied that he gave instructions to the woman known as Khwezi who accused Jacob Zuma of rape in 2005. Zuma was subsequently acquitted.

– African News Agency

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