Watch — ‘Spies in America’: From South African freedom fighter to foreign agent

In June 2026, a retired South African Air Force brigadier general named Portia “Posh” Anyamba was sentenced to six months in prison in the United States after pleading guilty to acting as a foreign agent for South Africa. The conviction followed an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) that revealed Anyamba had engaged in unauthorized activities on behalf of South African officials while working under contract with the U.S. Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Born in 1967 in Gauteng, South Africa, Anyamba grew up in the Eastern Cape and pursued a career in medicine. She enrolled at the University of Transkei, which was then part of the former apartheid-era state. During her time there, she became involved with the armed wing of the African National Congress, uMkhonto weSizwe, commonly referred to as MK. According to records from the South African National Defence Force, Anyamba's involvement began when members of MK visited her family home at night, introducing her to underground ANC activities. The political climate during this period was dangerous. Raids at the University of Transkei led to the death of a student, highlighting the perilous environment for Black individuals under apartheid rule. Anyamba decided to abandon her medical studies and join MK. She left behind a note for her family stating, “Please do not look for me, do not go to [the university]. I’ve left South Africa.” Her next steps included choosing between joining military training camps in Western Angola or continuing her education in Eastern Tanzania. Anyamba opted for military training, eventually completing her studies in Nigeria. In 1998, she returned to South Africa and joined the air force, rising through the ranks. By 2000, she became the first woman to command a South African Air Force unit. Before retiring in 2011, Anyamba spent time in France. After retirement, she relocated to the United States and secured employment with a contractor providing services to the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, a major research facility operated by the U.S. Department of Energy. Her work there appeared routine until early 2024, when the FBI launched an investigation into potential violations of U.S. laws regarding foreign agents. The probe uncovered that Anyamba had been secretly operating as a South African intelligence asset. She had attended public events and think-tank gatherings, often under the guise of professional engagement. These meetings were reportedly funded by South African officials, and Anyamba was tasked with producing detailed reports on these occasions for the benefit of the Republic of South Africa. In 2025, Anyamba admitted guilt to both the unauthorized activities and the misrepresentation of her intentions on a security clearance application. As part of a plea agreement, she acknowledged that communications between her and other individuals indicated she was being compensated by South African authorities for her covert operations. By June 2026, the case reached its conclusion with Anyamba receiving her sentence. The incident has sparked discussions about the intersection of personal history and national allegiance, particularly in cases involving individuals with complex pasts and international engagements. The legal proceedings underscore the complexities of cross-border relations and the enforcement of laws against foreign interference.