In this explosive live stream, Gambakwe breaks down a major embarrassment for South Africa’s intelligence community: the arrest of Washington Sibanda, a seasoned operative and “information mercenary,” inside the high-security G20 accreditation centre. Beyond the spy drama, the broadcast covers significant political shifts in ZANU-PF, rising crime involving mercenaries in South Africa, and the shocking “Silicon Mine” fraud case.
Key Topics Covered:
-
G20 Security Breach: How a Zimbabwean spy with an expired permit penetrated the G20 security cordon.
-
Espionage History: Sibanda’s alleged link to “Project Tin Roof” and the poisoning of Jacob Zuma.
-
ZANU-PF Politics: Mnangagwa’s new strategy to mobilize war veterans and the co-option of Mike Tungwarara into the Central Committee.
-
Regional Security: The arrest of an SAfm broadcaster recruiting mercenaries for Russia and the killing of police officers in Ivory Park.
-
Fraud & Business: The arrest of Tshitshi Gigi Bophela for a multi-million rand mining scam and the explosion of gambling licenses in Zimbabwe.
The G20 Security Failure: The Washington Sibanda Affair
The headline story of the broadcast is the arrest of Washington Sibanda at the Nasrec facility (Soccer City), the site of the G20 summit. While officially charged as an illegal immigrant due to an expired work permit, Sibanda is no ordinary migrant. He is described as a “seasoned operator” and “information peddler” known within intelligence circles for using dual Zimbabwean and South African identities.
Gambakwe highlights the “catastrophic failure” of South Africa’s vetting systems. Despite his controversial reputation—including alleged links to “Project Tin Roof,” a covert operation verifying claims about the poisoning of former President Jacob Zuma—Sibanda managed to breach the accreditation centre. His arrest has triggered urgent intervention from the State Security Agency (SSA), raising questions about who his current handlers are and whether he was protected by deep-state elements within Crime Intelligence.
Mercenaries and Police Killings: South Africa on Edge
The stream connects Sibanda’s arrest to a broader narrative of security instability in South Africa. In a separate but equally alarming development, four South African nationals, including a senior broadcaster at SAfm, face charges under the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act. The Hawks operation targeted an illegal recruitment ring sending soldiers to fight in Russia, further complicating South Africa’s diplomatic stance.
Compounding the sense of lawlessness is the manhunt underway in Ivory Park, Johannesburg, following the shooting of two police officers on duty. These incidents paint a picture of a security cluster that is overstretched and arguably compromised.
ZANU-PF Political Shifts: The Rise of Tungwarara
Back in Zimbabwe, significant political maneuvering is taking place. President Mnangagwa has set up a dedicated team to visit war veterans across the country. Gambakwe notes that this outreach is critical as many veterans are living in destitution, yet they remain a vital mobilization tool for the ruling party.
Simultaneously, the political landscape is shifting away from traditional military dominance. Mike Tungwarara is set to be co-opted into the ZANU-PF central committee. This move suggests a strategic pivot by Mnangagwa, leaning more on business associates and “civilians” rather than the old guard military structures that have historically underpinned the party.
The “Silicon Mine” Scam and Business News
On the business front, the broadcast touched on the bizarre and brazen fraud case of Tshitshi Gigi Bophela. She has been arrested for stealing millions from investors by pretending to own a silicon mine—a venture that turned out to be entirely fictitious.
In other economic news, the Alpha Group has been named the “Best Place to Work 2025”, offering a glimmer of corporate positivity amidst the gloom. However, the explosion of gambling in Zimbabwe—with over 500 licenses now issued—raises concerns about the social impact on a population already struggling with economic hardship.
