South Africa’s spy agency accused of protecting former President

South Africa’s spy agency has been accused of spending hundreds of millions of dollars on illegal undercover operations to protect former President Jacob Zuma from corruption investigations.

The allegations, made by whistle-blowers at a corruption inquiry, include attempts to influence judges and newspapers.

The allegations are staggering.

Two whistle-blowers, and other witnesses, have given details of a systematic plot to turn South Africa’s state security agency into something almost like a private army for former President Zuma.

During his decade in power, Mr Zuma faced – and still faces – multiple allegations of corruption.

But a judge-led inquiry is now revealing the extent to which, it is alleged, Zuma used state institutions to protect himself during his presidency.