Honourable Speaker
Minister
Members of Parliament
Officials of National Intelligence
Guests
National Intelligence is one of the most important portfolios in government. South Africa cannot afford to have dishonest, corrupt or incompetent people to head various government and stateowned agencies. South Africa’s damaged intelligence is at a crossroads. It is absolutely horrifying to
see how State Capture infiltrates into National Intelligence through people without any integrity.
The previous ministers, David Mahlobo and Bongani Bongo, and the former Director-General (D-G), Arthur Fraser, may have possibly manipulated National Intelligence to facilitate State Capture.
The DA warned the governing party on several occasions and in debates in Parliament against the evil of State Capture.
South Africa’s new Crime Intelligence Head, General Pieter Jacobs, has a mountain to climb in order to fix the mess Richard Mdluli left behind. We cannot afford to keep such people in positions for many years with all the benefits and no consequences.
Police Minister Bheki Cele announced on 29 March 2018 that General Jacob’s appointment is just one part of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s arduous tasks of reversing the damage his predecessor Jacob Zuma did to state institutions.
To turn the State Security Agency (SSA) around after the suspension of the former D-G, who has now been moved to Correctional Services, the new acting DG, Mr Loyiso Jafta, needs to start at the top to ensure that every member of the division is properly appointed and thoroughly vetted.
Jafta may do well to consider the reappointment of former members of the SSA who lost their positions because of their efforts to stop corruption and criminality within the division. He will need support – especially from those with integrity and a deep understanding of the very complicated
workings of Intelligence.
The DA is very worried about the vetting process. Vetting is to investigate someone thoroughly, especially in order to ensure that they are suitable for a job requiring SECRECY, LOYALTY or TRUSTWORTHINESS. Civil servants in various critical positions across government must not run away
from the process of vetting. Without vetting South Africa is sinking in the quicksand of moral decay, corruption and state looting.
The ANC seems to be oblivious to the reality that this is how democracy is run and that it is looking more like an organised crime syndicate. The backlog of vetting people who are employees in Crime Intelligence (CI) are a serious problem and must be highly prioritised by the Department of State
Security and rectified in the next 6 to 12 months. That will also help to bring stability into the Crime Intelligence department.
In recent years we have become aware of an increase in vehicle-related crimes. Not only have we heard of the hijackings, car theft and incidents of smash-and-grabs, but we have also seen the much more organised crime of truck hijacking. Disturbing evolutions in the modus operandi have been
detected. Where products are sold into a pre-defined market in the country, more and more syndicates are starting to appear with apparent international links and interests.
Criminals are now so sophisticated that they are using jammers, diversion tactics, infiltration teams, blackmail and even planted employees to reach product or assets. Criminals have also become more professional in terms of technique and process. Drivers of trucks need to undergo training to make a
contribution towards reducing the risk of losing trucks and cargo.
Government needs to look seriously at South Africa’s border control.
The aim must be to provide integrated management of almost 5,000km land border to address, among many other problems, drug-related crimes, human trafficking, all of which lends itself to bribery and escalating corruption. South Africa has enough capable people without jobs who can be recruited and
trained for proper border control.
With the latest certificates on SSA, Crime Intelligence, and Defence Intelligence from the InspectorGeneral of Intelligence, we are on track to ensure that no criminal is untouchable, all of them will be dealt with. The untouchable police officer who allegedly falsified security clearance certificates and received a payment of R50 000 from the SSA into her bank account has been suspended.
The DA believes that with better relationships and trust between the different intelligence agencies, South Africa will be a safer place for all to live.
I quote: Winston Churchill.
“Continuous effort – not strength or intelligence – is the key to unlocking your potential.”
I thank you.