By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Minister in the presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni has confirmed the establishment of a panel of independent legal counsel to tackle corruption within State Security Agency (SSA).
Ntshavheni, who is the minister responsible for the SSA, tabled her department’s budget in Parliament on Tuesday.
The High Level Review Panel, the State Capture Commission and internal investigation reports detailed weaknesses and challenges within the SSA.
Ntshavheni said they remained focused on implementing the recommendations, tracking the progress and reporting same to the National Security Council and the Joint Community Committee on Intelligence (JSCI).
“A panel of two independent senior counsels and a counsel has commenced their work to assess the allegations made in various reports with a view to initiate disciplinary actions or recommend referral of cases for prosecutorial action by the relevant authorities.
“This initiative forms part of our broader effort to strengthen consequence management within the agency, reinforce external accountability and restore integrity to the civilian intelligence services, “she said.
She committed the SSA and all the national intelligence structures that they will avail themselves to the commission of inquiry to probe the allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal provincial commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
Responding to some of the criticism against president Cyril Ramaphosa, Ntshavheni said it was unfair to expect him not to follow due processes when suspicions have been made.
“The president instituted the commission not only to follow the due process in terms of the allegations against the Minister of Police, but to follow the due process regarding the allegations against the Minister of Police, but to unravel other matters not mentioned by Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.”
Ntshavheni, has also released the public versions of key national intelligence documents, in what she described as a historic milestone in South Africa’s democratic journey and a significant step towards greater transparency, accountability and institutional reform.
The Minister released the National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) 2019 – 2024, the National Intelligence Priorities (NIPs), and the National Security Strategy (NSS) 2024 – 2029.
She underscored that this was the first time in the country’s history that such core national intelligence instruments were being published in a manner that is both transparent and structured, while preserving the integrity of national security.
“It is not only a profound step forward, but a clear paradigm shift in how the intelligence community relates to the State, to Parliament, and to the people,” Ntshavheni said.
The Minister framed the public release of the NIE and NSS as part of a broader shift towards constitutional accountability, transparency and national resilience, in line with Section 198 of the Constitution and the recommendations of the 2018 High-Level Review Panel on the State Security Agency (SSA).
“The release of the NIE, NIPs and NSS represents not only compliance with that directive but a deliberate act of democratic renewal. It is our commitment to building a modern, ethical, and professional intelligence capability, guided by law, oversight, and strategic foresight.
“This is part of our commitment to transform the sector to serve the Constitution, not partisan interests,” she said.
The NIE 2019 – 2024 provides a comprehensive assessment of the threats facing the nation, ranging from illegal migration, cybercrime, transnational organised crime, to climate and domestic instability. The Estimate is built around five core themes: threats to the economy, territorial integrity, the authority of the State, citizen well-being, and foreign influences.