The African National Congress (ANC) has called for an independent forensic investigation into the Secret Service Account amid concerns that its classified status has allowed possible corruption to escape proper scrutiny.

The Secret Service Account is a classified South African state fund used to finance covert intelligence, police, and defence operations largely outside normal public financial scrutiny — a lack of accountability that has made it a recurring source of corruption scandals.

The ANC made the call for a probe into the account to Parliament’s committee investigating criminal infiltration, corruption, and political interference in the justice system.

The account finances covert intelligence operations. Some secrecy is necessary because public disclosure could reveal agents, intelligence methods, and active operations.

Yet secrecy has too often become a shield against accountability.

The Zondo Commission found that funds from the account had been misappropriated by the State Security Agency towards factional political projects during Jacob Zuma’s presidency.

Large amounts of cash were allegedly withdrawn without adequate records showing how the money was spent or whether it supported legitimate intelligence operations.

The agency was accused of financing media projects, political activities, and efforts intended to protect particular factions of the ANC.

This was possible because officials could invoke national security whenever auditors or Parliament asked ordinary questions about public money.

The ANC is therefore correct to support an independent investigation. It should also acknowledge that the intelligence system was corrupted under its watch and often for the benefit of its internal political interests.

Investigators must examine withdrawals, authorisations, bank records, and supporting documents while protecting legitimate operations and the identities of genuine agents.

They should have sufficient security clearance and complete access to the account. Senior officials and politicians cannot be allowed to determine which transactions investigators may examine.

Any expenditure that cannot be connected to a lawful intelligence purpose must be referred for criminal investigation and recovery.

Parliament must also strengthen permanent oversight. The intelligence services cannot be expected to police themselves behind a wall of secrecy.

A state capable of keeping operational secrets must also be capable of producing secure records showing where public money went.