The Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence was yesterday finally constituted with the swearing-in of its 12 members. The swearing-in ceremony was presided over by Judge Siraj Desai of the Cape High Court.
Unlike other Parliamentary Committees, members of the Standing Committee on Intelligence are sworn-in in terms of the Intelligence Services Oversight Act, which stipulates that members should take an oath of secrecy because of the nature of their work.
Mr Cecil Burgess, who is the Chairperson of the Committee, said the swearing-in ceremony was the culmination of a broad consultation process between Parliamentary Presiding Officers, leaders of political parties in Parliament and the country's President.
The members of the committee, who have been drawn from both Houses of Parliament, are: Mr Cecil Burgess (ANC), Mr Nkosinathi Fihla (ANC), Mr Luwellyn Landers (ANC), Mr Jerome Maake (ANC), Ms Thembisa Ndabeni (ANC), Mr Themba Msimang (IFP), Mr Ntopile Kganyago (UDM), Mr Mbhazima Shilowa (COPE), Ms Sheila Sithole (ANC), Mr Theo Coetzee (DA), Mr Mmatlala Boroto (ANC) and Mr Siphiwo Mazosiwe (ANC).
"All the members have been vetted and have top secrecy clearance, they have access to top secret documents," said Mr Burgess.
The committee has an oversight function over all the intelligence agencies and the Department of State Security.
Mr Burgess said the agencies include those that are accountable to the Inspector General and the Department of Defence and Military Veterans.
For enquiries or interviews with the Committee chairperson, contact:
Mr Modise Kabeli
Parliamentary Communication Services
Tel: 021 403 3403
Cell: 082 420 0063
E-mail: mkabeli@parliament.gov.za
Issued by: Parliament of South Africa
10 July 2009
Source: Parliament of South Africa (http://www.parliament.gov.za)
