David Mahlobo
David Mahlobo served as Jacob Zuma’s Minister of State Security from 2014 to 2018, during which the State Security Agency (SSA) became — according to the Zondo Commission — a personalised instrument for enriching Zuma and suppressing political opposition. The Zondo Commission’s final report (June 2022) called for Mahlobo, along with Arthur Fraser (SSA Director-General) and Thulani Dlomo (SSA covert operations chief), to be investigated for possible criminal charges. As of 2026, no charges had been laid. Mahlobo remains in ANC structures and was listed at number 13 on the ANC’s 2024 election list.
Project Commitment: The most serious allegation against Mahlobo concerns his alleged role as bagman for “Project Commitment” — a covert SSA operation that channelled monthly cash payments to Zuma: R2.5 million per month in the 2015/16 financial year, rising to R4.5 million per month in 2016/17. Multiple SSA witnesses — referred to by pseudonyms “Ms K,” “Frank,” “Dorothy” and others, with identities protected by Zondo — testified to delivering cash personally to Mahlobo’s official ministerial residence and office. Dorothy testified that SSA DG Arthur Fraser called her to direct an operative to deliver a bag of R1.5 million in cash to Mahlobo’s residence; Mahlobo personally accepted it and counted it in his office. Mahlobo allegedly signed receipts for approximately R80 million in total SSA cash between 2015 and 2017.
Project Justice: A related SSA operation described as “Project Justice” saw an alleged R21 million delivered to Mahlobo for the stated purpose of “deal with the issue of judges” who were assessed to be “conspiring to overthrow government.” Operative “Frank” testified he was specifically instructed to deliver funds to Mahlobo for this purpose. The Zondo Commission found this raised serious questions about interference with the judiciary.
Other operations: Mahlobo was also connected to “Project Mayibuye” (January 2015) and “Operation Lock.” He allegedly approved the utilisation of SSA “retained earnings” (unexpended operational funds) to finance irregular covert projects in breach of financial directives. Zondo found he “committed a clear breach of the principle of the separation of powers” by receiving reports from SSA covert operations chief Dlomo directly, bypassing official SSA management.
Zondo testimony: When summoned to testify, Mahlobo denied all allegations about receiving cash. He clashed repeatedly with evidence leader Paul Pretorius, at one point telling the Commission: “If Mr Pretorius is going to have an attitude I’m going to give one back.” He described some allegations as emanating from “information peddlers” within the SSA. When the investigation team approached him in 2018, he allegedly threatened to reveal information about then-minister of state security Dipuo Letsatsi-Duba.
Zondo findings: Zondo stated that since Mahlobo denied receiving the cash, “if it were to be established in a court that large amounts of cash were given to Mr Mahlobo, it would mean that he stole the money.” The final report recommended investigating Fraser, Mahlobo and Dlomo on possible criminal charges.
Connections
- State Security Agency (SSA) — Minister 2014-2018; oversaw systematic weaponisation of SSA for Zuma’s personal benefit
- Arthur Fraser — SSA DG who directed cash delivery operations; co-recommended for investigation by Zondo
- Jacob Zuma — recipient of Project Commitment cash; Mahlobo alleged to have acted as bagman
- Zondo Commission — testified 2021; recommended for criminal investigation in final report June 2022
- National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) — no prosecution initiated by 2026 despite Zondo recommendations
Sources
- Daily Maverick: Investigate Arthur Fraser, David Mahlobo and Thulani Dlomo (June 2022)
- Daily Maverick: SSA official tells Commission of millions paid to Mahlobo (May 2021)
- Times Live: David Mahlobo ‘given R21m to deal with conspiring judges’ (January 2021)
- Daily Maverick: Mahlobo political legacy ‘slippery as an eel’ (April 2024)