The Minister of State Security, Dr Siyabonga Cwele, MP will tomorrow, 24 February 2012, appear before the Ad hoc Committee that is processing the General Intelligence Laws Amendment Bill.
Cwele is expected to brief the Committee on the contents of this Bill which was passed in October 2011 by Cabinet.
The Bill marks the culmination of the first phase of restructuring of the country’s civilian intelligence dispensation and the disestablishment of a number of previous stand-alone intelligence structures, which are now incorporated into the State Security Agency. This was to arrest the proliferation of intelligence structures/departments which were starting to affect effective execution of our core mandate.
This Bill seeks to address concerns raised by Intelligence Oversight Structures, specifically the Auditor-General and the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence, pertaining to the legislative certainty for the administration and oversight of the civilian intelligence structures following the establishment of the State Security Agency.
In nature the Bill is technical and does not provide for any policy changes.
Media enquiries:
Brian Dube: Head of Communication
Cell: 082 418 3389
