RASOOL DEMANDS PROBE INTO ZILLE CLAIM

Western Cape premier Ebrahim Rasool has asked the Inspector General
of Intelligence to investigate an allegation by Democratic Alliance
leader Helen Zille that senior intelligence sources had told her of a
plan to infiltrate Padlac with agents provocateurs who would
distribute guns "to discredit her" and the anti-drug campaign.

"These are extremely serious allegations and should be dealt with as
seriously," Rasool said last night.

And, in a move Zille regards as "absolute rubbish and outrageous", he
has also ordered a probe into whether she used public money from the
city to support any of her activities with Padlac (People Against
Drugs and Liquor Action Committee) in Mitchells Pain.

Rasool said it was "time to bring to a close the unseemly exchanges
through the media around Zille's involvement with Padlac". He said
Safety MEC Leonard Ramatlakane and Police Commissioner Mzwandile
Petros agreed with him "that it is better that no one responds
through the media to the actions and utterances of Zille".

"I feel that the ego of a personality should not overshadow the
genuine fight against drugs, gangs and crime by thousands in our
communities, the South African Police Service and in the public service.

"MEC Ramatlakane and Commissioner Petros have agreed that in
disengaging from a media discourse with the DA leader, we should
allow the matters in dispute to be resolved through the normal
workings of the criminal justice system," he said.

Besides asking for the intelligence probe, Rasool hoped Zille's
illegal gathering case, which goes to court this month, would be
quickly resolved and said police should carry on dealing with
vigilantism in Mitchells Plain. He said he was relieved Zille
"constantly assured the public" she was supporting Padlac as DA
leader, and not as Cape Town's mayor.

"The Office of the Mayor is an official organ of government... and
should never be guilty of levelling accusations of agents
provocateurs handing out guns to marchers, in the media prior to
raising these through the channels available and appropriate to
serving officials of government."

Rasool said he hoped the use by Zille of her offices for a press
conference where she had voiced her concerns of an infiltration with
Padlac leader Fasieg Adams had been an "oversight on her part".

He was waiting for a full police report on arrests in Mitchells Plain
so it could be determined whether police were arresting "the wrong
people", as Zille has said, or more drug users. Even though "the
provincial government and police have chosen a more comprehensive
approach", Zille's choice to march against drugs should be accepted,
Rasool said.

On Sunday night, on hearing of the investigation and probe he had
ordered, a furious Zille said it was "complete and utter nonsense".

"I had dinner with (Rasool) on Saturday night and he raised
absolutely nothing about this and had no concerns. It's
unbelievable."

She said she would not reveal her sources to assist the investigation
into the infiltration of Padlac, and had on Sunday received
"information so shocking (which confirmed previous information from
intelligence sources)" that she would take "serious follow-up
action" this week.

Zille said she had phoned her sources late last night and warned them
Rasool wanted an investigation. "I called them to say they're being
sought. I know what will happen to them if they're found. They'll be
hounded and intimidated"

Zille said she found it unbelievable that Rasool had ordered a probe
into whether public money was used for Padlac, as she had reassured
him that had not happened.

"It is pathetic that he is now taking on the smear campaign on behalf
of Ramatlakane and the others. Padlac has been involved in peaceful
marches.

"That is all... It is a legal and constitutional right to march
peacefully," Zille said.