Experts have labeled the report a fake due to its misuse of technical terminology and links to Internet privacy groups.
Officials and insiders deny the authenticity of the mysterious intelligence report while searching for its source.
The report alleges that South Africa helped Iran smuggle arms to militant groups in the Middle East.
Experts believe the report is fake due to incorrect use of terminology, vague references to Middle Eastern groups, and suspected links to the global Internet Privacy Network.
Alleged aid to Iran
City Press and Rapport reported on Sunday the existence of an intelligence report linking Iran, South Africa, the Taliban and Yemen’s Houthis in an arms smuggling operation.
The report alleges that Taliban operatives had previously been trained in South Africa and that the South African government falsified documents to hide where the weapons were being shipped.
The report further claims that the Iranian navy regularly picked up cargo at Richards Bay and Durban ports before heading to Sudan, Yemen and Eritrea.
Intelligence experts told the publication they did not know who compiled the report or what their motives were, and City Press reported that the document contained links to the Tor project.
Presidential spokesperson Vincent Mugwenya denied the report and suggested it was a subversive tactic.
“We are not ignorant of false intelligence reports, and the world is not ignorant of lies that have led to unjust regime changes in other parts of the world.
“When South Africa took the State of Israel to the International Court of Justice, we knew exactly what would happen next. While others resorted to defamation and assault, we will continue to fight a good and principled fight using international legal means,” Mugwenya told City Press.
Europe exports most of its munitions.
The Tor Project is an organization that promotes Internet freedom using routing technology originally developed by members of the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory and alumni of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
“Tor is united by a shared belief that Internet users should have private access to the uncensored web,” the group’s website states.
The South African Conventional Arms Control Directorate told the Joint Standing Committee on Friday that Europe is the region from which South Africa exports the most weapons and military technology.
Europe exported 63% of all military supplies and 77% of munitions and technology sold by South Africa.
The Middle East accounted for 12% of South Africa’s military exports, while Africa and the Americas accounted for 11% and 2% respectively.
Minister in the President’s Office Khumbudzo Ntshaveni said he could not publicly reveal the exact destination but would provide details in writing on condition of anonymity.
“Details of countries with which trade is prohibited can be shared with the committee if we are assured that the report will not be made public.
“We will need assurances from the commission because it has diplomatic implications,” Nasheni said.
Read now: Here’s where the most South African-made weapons are sold
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