S.a. Blackmail Allegation Under Investigation (Press, 17 September 1986)
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Summary: S.a. Blackmail Allegation Under Investigation (Press, 17 September 1986)
In September 1986, South African police initiated an investigation into an alleged blackmail attempt involving a receptionist named Vanessa Twine, who had been employed at the Australian embassy in Pretoria since July. Twine, a 24-year-old South African-born woman, reported that she was approached by an individual claiming to represent the South African security police, who attempted to recruit her as a spy for the embassy. The Australian embassy responded to these allegations by lodging a formal protest with the South African Government, citing harassment against Twine. During a detailed interview with the Johannesburg "Sunday Times," Twine revealed that the agent had threatened to blackmail her based on her sexual orientation as a lesbian. Following her refusal to cooperate with the spying attempt, she reported being evicted from the residential hotel where she was staying. This series of events prompted Twine to inform the Australian embassy, leading Ambassador Bob Birch to take the matter up with South Africa's Foreign Affairs department. Initially, South African police expressed reluctance to investigate the incident, stating that no formal charges had been filed. However, a spokeswoman later announced that an investigation was underway, and plainclothes officers had interviewed Twine regarding her allegations. The situation has further strained relations between Australia and South Africa, especially in light of Australia's support for economic sanctions against the apartheid regime in South Africa. The South African Foreign Minister, Roelof Botha, accused Australia of potentially profiting from these sanctions, which predominantly target coal exports. Additionally, many South Africans have sought refuge in Australia, leaving home due to political violence, a phenomenon referred to as the "Chicken Run."
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