Intelligence Services Day, Musanda
23 November 2006
South African Intelligence Services: Grasping the nettle firmly
Directors of the ceremony, Ms Sandy Africa and Mr Chief Mosikare
Inspector-General for Intelligence, Mr Zolile Ngcakani
Member of the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence, Mr Ismail Vadi,
MP
Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Mr Manala
Manzini
Director-General of the South African Secret Service (SASS), Mr Tim
Dennis
Co-ordinator of the National Intelligence Co-ordinating Committee (NICOC), Mr
Barry Gilder
Principal of the South African National Academy for Intelligence (SANAI), Mr
Mphakama Mbete
Executive Director of the National Communications Centre (NCC), Mr Mohamed
Jhatham
Chairperson of the Intelligence Services Council (ISC), Ms Miriam Sekati
Director of the Office for Interception Centres (OIC), Mr Mike Sarjoo
Director of Electronic Communications Security (COMSEC), Ms Taki
Netshitenzhe
Special guests Mr Joe Matthews, Chairperson of the Ministerial Review
Commission; Adv. Vusi Pikoli, Head of the National Prosecutions Authority (NPA)
and Mr Willie Hofmeyer, Head of the Asset Forfeiture Unit of the NPA; Mr
Raymond Lalla, Head of Crime Intelligence; Major General Croucamp from Defence
Intelligence; and Mr James Maseko, Head Government Communication and
Information System (GCIS)
Veterans present
Members
Introduction
Let me begin my address by reflecting on one of the legendary fables of the
Ancient Greek slave Aesop, a black man who originally hailed from the African
Continent, whose message I wish to relate to this year's Intelligence Services
Day.
Aesop narrates the story of a young boy, who on being stung by a nettle (a
plant with jagged leaves covered with stinging hair), runs home and tells his
mother 'it pains me very much yet I only touched it gently'. 'That was just why
it stung you' explained his mother 'the next time you touch a nettle, grasp it
firmly, it will be soft as silk to your hand and not in the least hurt
you'.
The moral of the story directs us to be decisive about any problem or issue
that confronts us. To prevaricate, to put decisions off, to fiddle about with a
problem only prolongs the pain and in fact exacerbates it. To act decisively,
but with a good, bold plan of action, 'firmly grasping the nettle', provides
the desired outcomes.
Grasping the nettle
In such a way, our services are demonstrating their strength of character by
grasping 'the nettle firmly', in the manner, for example, in which we tackled
last year's unfortunate misconduct. We did not allow the transgressions of a
few to distract us from our mission and confronted the threat their actions
posed decisively. We emerged not 'hurt', not timid, not weak and distracted but
stronger, unified and more resolute in our efforts to build the effective,
professional, vigilant and accountable intelligence services that South Africa
requires, which President Mbeki last year urged us to aspire to.
This determination to grasp 'the nettle firmly', must be the hallmark which
guides us. It can be found in the legacy of those who blazed the path of
struggle for the democracy that we now safeguard in our country. It is present
in our achievements since the birth of our democracy.
Progress
Given that the craft of intelligence demands secrecy, it is often the
mishaps rather than successes, which draw public attention. Today, I wish to
highlight some examples that point to indications that we are moving in the
right direction.
Critical are the strides made in the implementation of our ongoing programme
adopted in 2004, directed to building our core business capacity to meet the
complex security challenges of the 21st century, so as to better forewarn the
decision-makers. This core business capacity is summed-up in the Holy Trinity
expression, focussing on the three main pillars of the intelligence cycle:
Collection, analysis and decision-making.
This necessitates a much greater focus and prioritisation of resources and
activities. It requires a realignment of budget spending ratios away from the
skewered remuneration account in favour of operational expenditure and capital
investment needs; an end to wasteful duplication; a shift in funding, equipment
and personnel in support of core business. It means directing operations to
those areas of the greatest risks, where required information is not readily
available; and in building partnerships, co-operation and co-ordination to gain
maximum effect. It encompasses ongoing training towards building an
intelligence corps, which is diverse, multi-skilled, and rapidly adaptive to
new priorities, able to master the use of ever-changing technology, where the
powers we are endowed with must be used legitimately and responsibly in support
of our national interest; and always remain focussed on key intelligence
priorities.
While much more remains to be done; there has indeed been much progress. Let
us examine the record:
In respect of realigning budget spending ratios, in 2004 the personnel
expenditure of NIA and the spending centres stood at a whopping 74%, which was
teetering close to overtaking the entire annual budget allocation! This account
has now been decreased to 62% in 2006, which has enabled expenditure on
operations to rise from 24% to 28% and the capital investment account from 2%
to 10%. Consequently funding is being directed to further capacitate key
priorities, the focus of which must include Border Intelligence, vetting,
surveillance and operational technology; along with counter-terrorism,
counter-subversion and counter-espionage; and of course unique information
gathering, which is what we are about!
Such success and prioritisation applies just as much to SASS. Personnel
expenditure and capital investment are firmly within the identified thresholds,
with operational spending rising from 15% in 2005 to 22% in 2006. Of particular
importance is the necessary bias towards investment in technical equipment to
boost operational capabilities. These adjustments have been managed through
savings generated by the closure of some foreign stations, whilst increasing
our effort where it matters most, with an emphasis on securing hard
intelligence.
In enhancing our core business capacity, we are seeing an improvement in the
quality and relevance of the information collected. This is a consequence of
fostering co-operative relationships within and between the different
departments of the security cluster, including Crime and Defence Intelligence;
bolstering liaison capacity and nurturing closer relationships with foreign
counterparts and civil society experts.
Mention must be made of the extent to which the emphasis on strengthening
internal compliance mechanisms has improved the quality of information
collected. This has brought about greater focus and specificity in determining
operations, objectives and targets; and better monitoring and clearer
accountability measures. This has resulted in an improved intelligence focus,
where activities are beginning to be directed to areas where our nation's
interests are most vulnerable.
The development and modification of Standard Operating Procedures in the
conduct of operations and the introduction of more stringent control measures
within NIA, SASS and NCC have all contributed to improved standards. This will
be consolidated further with the work of the Ministerial Review Commission,
launched last month, and augmented by the recommendations of the Legislative
Task Team.
We are also seeing improvement in the quality of the analysis provided.
NICOC has made inroads here through the introduction of project teams, grouped
according to the major intelligence priorities and made up of specialists from
across the services, including crime, Directorate of Special Operations (DSO),
Defence and Finance Intelligence, with access to the relevant information from
all departments. This innovation is bearing fruit, as reflected in a new
process towards the development of this year's National Intelligence
Estimate.
The establishment of the Association of Intelligence Analysts, coupled with
those efforts undertaken at a departmental level, bode well for building our
analytical capacity and in ensuring that analysis takes its place at the centre
of the Intelligence cycle, driving our collection priorities at operational and
strategic levels.
These improvements in collection and analysis have in turn resulted in an
improvement in the overall quality of our intelligence products. They are also
reflected in the range of products provided, allowing for greater
specialisation and focus.
These improvements are allied with targeted recruitment efforts and the
strategic placement of existing members. They arise from the prioritisation of
ongoing training at all levels within the departments, which needs to enhance
career progression. SANAI, whilst seized with some challenging problems, is
being placed on a stronger footing. The establishment of a satellite campus at
Musanda is at an advanced stage and will provide further scope for the
provision of training under SANAI's auspices.
This training cannot only focus on tradecraft; equally important is
engendering an understanding of the constitutional and legal requirements
governing our activities. Preparations towards the development of the Civic
Education Programme will be completed by April 2007 and will be studied at all
staff levels.
Progress has also been recorded in a number of other areas such as vetting;
the securing of state information, communications and installations; and
special events.
Breakthroughs
This progress, with its greater focus and prioritisation of both resources
and activities, has led to significant breakthroughs, some of which are
embedded in the medals which are being conferred.
Those receiving awards today have been involved in operations ranging from
disrupting the activities of transactional criminal syndicates engaged in
smuggling and money laundering activities; to foiling a plot directed at
destabilising a neighbouring country; to exposing individuals engaged in
espionage; to the provision of early warning insight into the plans of
belligerents, in support of our mediation and peacekeeping efforts in Africa.
Other recipients have made a contribution, which has been judged to be of
special value.
Awards
We are extremely proud of these achievements and commend those of our
members who are medal recipients, as they personify the very spirit of
professionalism, which we are seeking to build. These are members who have
displayed their preparedness to 'grasp the nettle firmly', to be bold and
effective in fulfilling their duties.
It is this spirit which is reflected in the criteria for selection, where
those receiving the Outstanding Leadership Award have indeed 'inspired the
members under their command to perform to greater levels'; those receiving the
Distinguished Service award have 'performed distinguished and meritorious
service'; and those receiving the Ten-Year Loyal Service Award have
consistently displayed 'exemplary character and conduct'.
These criteria are strictly enforced by the adjudication panel (comprising
of Mr Joe Kotane, Ms Joyce Sikhakane-Rankin, Mr Mike Louw, Ms Sandy Africa and
Mr Mxolisi Dlamini) in assessing the nominations put forward by the services.
As these are Ministerial awards, the panel's recommendations are in turn
closely scrutinised by me and are judged against our criteria before I reach a
final decision. May I express my appreciation for the work they have so ably
accomplished.
And it is these criteria which distinguish these awards from the annual
system of performance management, which rewards those who perform well in
respect of the normal expectations of work.
While these medals are awarded to individuals, we all can take pride in
them. Co-operation and teamwork mean success! This applies even, as is often
the case, where a task requires an individual effort, for example recruiting a
source or obtaining secret information. With proper leadership and support
behind you, you will 'grasp the nettle' and achieve the objective.
Role of leadership
This progress would not have been possible without the high calibre of
leadership displayed and which has been so crucial in dealing with our recent
challenges. Our appreciation must be extended to the Director-General of NIA,
Mr Manala Manzini, and his new leadership team; to the Director-General of
SASS, Mr Tim Dennis, and his Deputy Directors-General; and to the National
Co-ordinator of NICOC, Mr Barry Gilder, and his management.
We salute the Principal of SANAI, Mr Mphakama Mbete, the Chairperson of the
ISC, Ms Miriam Sekati, the new Head of the NCC, Mr Mohamed Jhatham, the
Directors of COMSEC, Ms Taki Netshitenzhe and the OIC, Mr Mike Sarjoo, and the
Head of Ministerial Services, Ms, Sandy Africa for their outstanding work and
leadership.
Announcement
In a dynamic organisation and in a country on the move, it is important to
generate change. I take this opportunity to inform you that the Principal of
SANAI will take up an important ambassadorial post next year. He has made an
important contribution, not only at SANAI, but within our community over many
years and will be sorely missed.
Mr Mbete will be replaced by Mike Sarjoo, who has a background in training
and discharged himself extremely well in establishing the OIC. Mr Brian Koopedi
will take over as Head of the OIC. As Manager of Legal Services at the NCC, he
played a crucial role in the development of the legislation for Signals
Intelligence.
Honouring your code
While Intelligence Services Day is primarily concerned with reflecting on
progress and celebrating achievements, we would be remiss if we did not also
use this event to acknowledge the legal and professional code that governs our
conduct; it is this code, which facilitates our progress and achievements.
This code acknowledges our powers and duties and as such holds us to a
higher ethical standard and discipline than that required for ordinary
citizens, even when compared to other members of the public service, which is
why we enjoy special benefits. It outlines our interactions with each other and
the public in whose name we serve; it distinguishes between those acts which
are honourable and those which are not; it is the shield that protects us from
those who seek to abuse our authority; and it obliges us to demonstrate the
qualities, skills and competencies expected of professional intelligence
officers serving a democracy.
Let us therefore reaffirm our adherence to this code and pledge to intensify
the gains that we have made; let us declare our commitment to working within
the law; our subordination and accountability to the duly elected and appointed
civilian authority; and our allegiance to the Constitution, our people and the
state. Let us pledge our dedication to always strive to maintain the highest
standards of professional proficiency in the performance of our duties.
In this regard, we want, as that venerable sage Aesop would, to guide you in
your responsibilities. We want high standards of professionalism and morality.
We cannot carry passengers and protect those in our midst who are clearly
failing (often for all to see) in their duties, whether because they shirk
work, avoid taking decisions, behave badly or in any way undermine or corrupt
this profession. To cover up bad behaviour is merely acting in the way the
little boy in Aesop's fable acted, when he stung himself with the nettle. When
we all reach the stage of 'grasping the nettle firmly' in everything we do, we
will surely have reached the high level of performance which we seek.
Conclusion
I close with this thought about Aesop and his African roots. Aesop's fine
intellect, wisdom and ability to understand, interpret, and communicate life's
challenges can be discerned in the skill of the amakhangela, izinhloli and
spioene; the look-outs and spies who were our country's early intelligence
agents, who stuck to their task with diligence and courage.
In moving forward, let us reclaim the treasure trove of their experience and
dedication, which resides in our great African legacy. Let us be inspired by
and emulate their fine example in building the effective, professional,
vigilant and accountable intelligence services which are necessary to shape our
nation's advances at home, on the continent and in the wider world. In this way
we can ensure that we are party to giving expression to our President's message
that Africa's time has truly come! Let us not shirk from taking up the
challenge; let us be ever ready to 'grasp the nettle firmly'.
Thanks to you all. Siyabonga.
Issued by: Ministry of Intelligence
23 November 2006
Source: Ministry of Intelligence (http://www.intelligence.gov.za)
