Kamlepo hits at govt over alleged SA based spy machine: Dausi says its ‘paranoia and malafide’

Firebrand Rumphi east MP Kamlepo Kalua on Friday took the government to task over a spy machine which he said the government has planted in South Africa to snoop on critics of the government.

He told parliament just before it rose that state intelligence agents visit South Africa every fortnight to retrieve information from the said machine.

However, Information minister Nicholas Dausi dismissed Kalua’s dismissed Kalua’s allegations as untrue and pure fabrication.

“Government has no intentions of listening to conversations of individuals. It does not have the so called spy machine in South Africa,” he said.

He said the allegations are serious and dangerous and have potential to damage the cordial relationship that exists between Lilongwe and Pretoria.

“South Africa is a sovereign state and it can’t be an accomplice to the issue of the so called listening device,” said Dausi.

Dausi also warned that the allegations have potential of harming the state security, saying ists paranoia and malafide.

“I met the Honourable Member of Parliament and told him that this is a sensitive issue which can best be dealt in parliamentary committee on Defense,” said Dausi.

Government bought what is called a spy machine some years back to monitor how mobile phone operators charge their tariffs but could not be used as mobile phone operators challenged its legality.

The court has since given the government a go ahead to use it amid reservations that the state wants to snoop on its own people.