The State Security Agency's three top positions were currently vacant, reported Business Day.

Also, police crime intelligence did not have a chief after the High Court in Pretoria interdicted Richard Mdluli from performing in his position pending a review of a decision to withdraw criminal charges against him.

"My view is that the state intelligence was unable to be very helpful, partly due to the mess that the intelligence services are in," Institute of Security Studies police expert Johan Burger was quoted as saying.

Due to suspensions and resignations, "probably crime intelligence was not able to play the role it should have", said Burger.

Business Day said President Jacob Zuma's office, who was responsible for making senior government appointments, has not responded to questions sent by the newspaper.