Sithembele Ndum-ndum

Reliability Engineering Specialist |Expert in effective maintenance planning and scheduling |[email protected]

[Sokhulu @mla4zo]

Recent disclosures in the Gauteng High Court corruption trial of former SSA Special Operations head Thulani "Silence" Dlomo and his deputy, Patrick Mshothola, confirm that the State Security Agency (SSA) infiltrated the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) to conduct surveillance and incentivize the defection of members to the African National Congress (ANC).

Following successful litigation by several media organizations and civil society groups against the SSA’s request for closed proceedings, Judge Mashudu Munzhelele mandated the release of redacted intelligence records and authorized media access to the trial.

**Covert Operations: Project Mayibuye and "Safe Return"**

The infiltration was facilitated through Operation Mayibuye, an off-the-books SSA initiative established in 2015 during the Jacob Zuma administration, which included the sub-operations "Safe Return" and "Sesikhona."

The initiative originated following the EFF’s emergence in 2013 and its subsequent electoral performance in 2014, which diminished the ANC’s youth and grassroots support. The SSA’s Special Operations Unit (SOU) leveraged these resources to target the EFF’s organizational integrity rather than legitimate security concerns. The "Safe Return" strategy involved embedding operatives to monitor leadership, exacerbate internal factionalism, and pressure disillusioned members to return to the ANC.

**Constitutional Assessment**

The High-Level Review Panel on the SSA and the Zondo Commission of Inquiry into State Capture both categorized Operation Mayibuye as unconstitutional, concluding that the SSA had been repurposed to advance the partisan interests of the ruling party and the presidency at the time.

**Corruption Prosecution**

Criminal proceedings against Dlomo and Mshothola have provided judicial verification of these operations. The pair face charges including fraud, forgery, and theft under the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act, specifically regarding the alleged misappropriation of R12 million in 2015. These funds were reportedly withdrawn in three tranches under the pretense of compensating a service provider for covert work related to Operation Mayibuye.

Discrepancies identified by the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) revealed that the entity named on the invoices did not receive the designated funds. The company director testified that he had no prior association with Dlomo, did not execute the contract, and that his signature was fraudulently obtained.

The conflict regarding transparency versus judicial confidentiality emerged after the State Security Agency’s (SSA) unsuccessful attempt to restrict public access to the proceedings:

Initial Procedural Seclusion: On 14 October, the court initially ordered a public and media blackout, citing SSA concerns that open testimony could compromise intelligence methodologies, operational personnel, and international partnerships.

Media Advocacy: Media24 (News24), Daily Maverick, the Mail & Guardian, and the Campaign for Free Expression (CFE) filed an urgent intervention, contending that national security protocols must not be leveraged to obstruct the disclosure of corruption, misappropriation of public funds, or illicit domestic political surveillance.

[#Netso_Brand @Malawyer__]

@sithera @SizweDhlomo @UncleCul @StaggaSays @Lemonka live ligama.lakhe yes he plays for the atha team his from EC

[Sithembele Ndum-ndum @sithera]

@SizweDhlomo @UncleCul @StaggaSays @Lemonka Yinjeke le nina basedolophini bangayaziyo. Nalomfana ke ngathi udlalela enye team. Wenza ngabom. 😆😆

[Royale Union Saint-Gilloise @UnionStGilloise]

The president!!!!

[Sithembele Ndum-ndum @sithera]

@TheRealPitso and Mamelodi Sundowns knocked out of CAF Champions in preliminary rounds. What's your take on that? 🤔

[Royale Union Saint-Gilloise @UnionStGilloise]

Yes, he scored with a header, guys! 👑

[DAZN België @DAZN_BENL]

🤩 | Slechts 1,65 meter en toch scoren met het hoofd! Relebohile Mofokeng bewijst dat lengte niet uitmaakt! 🔥🇿🇦

[L.Zuma @Lindoku26064850]

Finally this video serves its purpose 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[🅵🆁🅰🅽🅲🅾 @ZukzFranco]

The best fashion show in the land

Orlando Pirates is a way of life

[Orlando Pirates @orlandopirates]

From the pitch to the runway, every stitch tells our story.

@orlandopirates 26/27 Third Jersey available from midnight 25.10.26.

🛜 https://t.co/ySXRY4Ekx4

⚫⚪🔴⭐
#OrlandoPirates
#OnceAlways

[SA Fashion Week @safashionweek]

Before the runway, the dressing room. The @orlandopirates players getting ready backstage at SAFW AW27: final fittings, last checks, the same focus they bring before kick-off. Tonight the pitch was a runway. From Field to Fashion.

#SAFWAW27 #OrlandoPirates #OnceAlways

[Orlando Pirates @orlandopirates]

There's no place like home. ♥️

Introducing the @orlandopirates 26/27 third jersey.
A tribute to Orlando, its vibrant spirit, and the generations of Buccaneers who live the colours.

⚫⚪🔴⭐
#OrlandoPirates
#OnceAlways

[Khaz Arnold @ArnoldKhaz97800]

these guys didn't come to South Africa to cause drama like Lupopo last season, they didn't even kick Sundowns players... they just showed Sundowns the exit door, respectfully

[Hosi Makhonya @TTM16]

🚨Breaking
YANGA SC HAS PARTED WAYS WITH MANQOBA MNGQITHI AND IN THE PROCESS OF APPOINTING A NEW COACH SOON

Statement translated from Swahili into English ⬇️

YOUNG AFRICANS SPORTS CLUB
OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
24 October 2026
The management of Young Africans Sports Club wishes to inform the public that it has reached a mutual agreement to terminate the contract of the first team's head coach, Manqoba Mngqithi.

Furthermore, the management of Young Africans Sports Club has terminated the contract of the first team's assistant coach, Chyna Mokaila.

The management would like to thank both individuals for their contributions to our club and wishes them all the best in their future endeavours.

The process of appointing a new head coach has already begun, and we expect to complete it soon.

Issued by:
Chief Executive Officer
Young Africans Sports Club

[Orlando Pirates @orlandopirates]

Precision in every stitch. Identity in every thread.

Introducing the @orlandopirates 26/27 Third Jersey.

⚫⚪🔴⭐
#OrlandoPirates
#OnceAlways

[Sithembele Ndum-ndum @sithera]

@Velile_Mnyandu @YoungAfricansSC @SimbaSCTanzania He could be heading back to Sundowns. 😎

[iDiski Times @iDiskiTimes]

🚨 𝗠𝗡𝗚𝗤𝗜𝗧𝗛𝗜'𝗦 𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗥𝗗

🏟️ 13 games
✅ 10 wins
🔄 2 draws
❌ 1 defeat
⚽️ 29-7 goals

✅ Into CAFCL group stages
🏆 Community Shield

Do you think Yanga made the right call?

[TotalEnergies CAFCL & CAFCC 🏆 @CAFCLCC]

The race to the group stage continues. Ten teams are through, with six places left to claim. 🎟️

#TotalEnergiesCAFCL

[Mr Dyani 🚭 @tdyani]

I don't think these two clubs from Zambia and Angola know what they did for the country 😂😂😂😂.... Spaces since last night up to now, statements and meltdowns.... Kwek! 🤣🤣

[Orlando Pirates @orlandopirates]

☠️ FT | @orlandopirates 4 - 0 @african_StarsFC [Agg: 5 - 0]

🗣️ Siyabonga Dladla

⚫⚪🔴⭐
#MatchDay
#OrlandoPirates
#OnceAlways