ANC demands probe into intelligence failures

Concerns arise over unmonitored refugee arrivals from Palestine

- THAMI MAGUBANE

THE ANC has called for an investigation into how the country’s intelligence services failed to warn the government about the imminent arrival of planes transporting refugees from Palestine.

The Mercury understands from members of the NEC, who were part of the meeting this past weekend, that the party is worried about the fact that refugees had arrived in the country, with the intelligence services knowing nothing about it.

Two planes have landed in the country, with one landing a few days ago. The arrival of the passengers raised alarms within government circles, as it has since emerged that the refugees did not know where they were being taken.

A source in the NEC said during discussions, members were shocked that the intelligence services failed to detect this situation.