 Forsyth was recognised in intelligence circles as the apartheid government's "most outstanding spy" next to Craig Williamson, but was described by the African National Congress (ANC) as a "terrible, incompetent and inefficient spy".Forsyth defected to the ANC but was later incarcerated in its prison camp, Quatro, in northern Angola.Following her escape into Luanda, Forsyth spent six months hiding in the British embassy there.