Pubdate: Fri, 28 Sep 2007 Source: Cape Times (South Africa) Copyright: 2007 Cape Times Contact: http://www.capetimes.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=3232 Website: http://www.capetimes.co.za/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2938 ZILLE WARNS OF PLAN TO INFILTRATE PADLAC Cape Town Mayor Helen Zille says she has information that agent provocateurs were planning to infiltrate the anti-drug group Padlac and stir up violence. She said this was part of a smear campaign to discredit her and Padlac (People's Anti-Drug and Liquor Action Committee). In response to Community Safety MEC Leonard Ramatlakane's claim that Padlac was connected to vigilante attacks in Mitchells Plain, Zille said on Thursday senior intelligence sources had informed her that ANC members orchestrated the smear campaign. "MEC Leonard Ramatlakane's attack on me confirmed leaked information I received following my arrest last month, of a smear campaign. This information was also confirmed at the weekend when police sources and members of community police forums passed the media information that Padlac was involved in vigilante activity in Mitchells Plain - and linking me, by association, to these activities. "I have this morning (Thursday), again been informed that there are plans afoot to escalate this campaign, including planting of agent provocateurs in the organisation following the end of Ramadaan and that weapons will be distributed in order to escalate violence," Zille said. She said the campaign was also part of attempts by her detractors to influence the outcome of a illegal gathering case against her which goes to court next month. She rejected Ramatlakane's claim that Padlac had links with another anti-crime group, Delta Force. "The information comes from very senior intelligence sources in the Western Cape. It is wrong for the ANC to use an institution of state for party political strategies. Some state institutions don't like being used. "I've known for some time, but it is has now come for me to say what I know. Fortunately I've been there and done this before, I recognise the same symptoms as we've had in the past and I recognise smearing," Zille said. Padlac leader Fasieg Adams said that to guard Padlac against infiltration by provocateurs, it would have an easily verifiable registry of membership, introduce clear identification cards and bar anyone associated with vigilantism from joining. "So far about 300 people have joined and none of them have been arrested. We are a passive resistance movement against drugs and crime and do not support vigilantism," Adams said. "We have also introduced a strict code of conduct. All our members will be identifiable, so no baseless allegations can be made against us. No one will be a member of Padlac unless they've signed the application form." On Wednesday, Ramatlakane called Padlac a vigilante group and said police arrested 12 people connected to Delta Force. He said Delta Force acted as Padlac's militant wing. Approached for comment on Zille's assertions, Ramatlakane's spokesperson, Makhaya Mani, said: "The MEC is of the view that he does not want to be part of a public slanging match with Helen Zille. All he wants to talk about is the positive work of police in Mitchells Plain." Asked why Ramatlakane raised the issue of vigilantism and associated it with Zille's support for Padlac, Mani said: "He (Ramatlakane) doesn't want to be drawn into that anymore. When he spoke of vigilantism, he referred to Padlac." Delta Force leader Mohamed Ebrahim could not be reached for comment. This article was originally published on page 1 of The Cape Times on September 28, 2007 - --- MAP posted-by: Steve Heath