12 December 2007
The Minister of Intelligence R Kasrils has taken note of the DA comments in
respect of their rating of his performance as a Minister. The Minister respects
the right of the DA, as a political party to express their opinion on the
performance of Ministers in the Cabinet and acknowledges their right to express
themselves in whatever manner they choose. However, the opinion expressed is
based on a number of factually incorrect statements which, for the record, need
to be set straight.
For the record:
* The DA report appears not to understand clearly the mandate of the Review
Commission on Intelligence, chaired by Mr Joe Matthews, questioning its
independence. For the record, this Commission was appointed by the Minister at
the end of 2006 to review internal controls within the intelligence structures
been charged with investigating the origin or authenticity of the hoax
e-mails.
* The investigation into the hoax e-mails was conducted by the
Inspector-General of Intelligence and completed in March 2006. The Commission
has been working consistently throughout the year and has already provided the
Minister with regular updates. The final report of the Commission is expected
in 2008, despite the set-back related to the illness of its Chair, Joe
Matthews.
* The DA makes much of the early retirement of the former co-ordinator of
Intelligence, Mr Barry Gilder at the end of October 2007. This is unfortunate,
particularly in light of the statement by Mr Gilder that his decision was taken
for personal reasons. Mr Gilder has been a loyal member of the intelligence
community and the public service since 1994 and we will continue to draw on his
expertise in the training of our new recruits.
* The National Intelligence Agency has at no stage been implicated in the
interception of the telephones of any member of the management or staff of the
Sunday Times. The suggestion that the National Intelligence Agency may have
been involved in abusing state resources is without any factual basis. The
dismissal of the former Director-General of Intelligence, Mr Billy Masetlha is
evidence of the fact that the President and the Minister will not tolerate any
abuse of resources on the part of the national intelligence structures and if
faced with evidence of such abuse, will take action.
Issued by: Government Communications (GCIS)
12 December 2007
Source: SAPA
