Wilson Johwa
13 November 2008
Johannesburg — Report ordered by former minister Ronnie Kasrils that makes proposals to curb unconstitutional practices is likely to stay on the back burner, analysts say
A REPORT proposing changes to SA's intelligence services is likely to stay on the back burner as SA grapples with the next political transition in a highly contested election campaign.
Already delayed by the resignation of former intelligence minister Ronnie Kasrils in September, the report calls for changes to prevent the abuse of SA's intelligence apparatus. It urges new legislation to guide intelligence services' use of intrusive measures of investigation, including spying on people and phone tapping.
Prepared by a three-person ministerial review commission appointed by Kasrils two years ago, the report makes proposals to curb unconstitutional practices. It proposes the adoption of a new white paper on intelligence, arguing that the present framework translated the mandate of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) too broadly.
In addition, the report endorses the view that the normally secret audit reports of the intelligence department be presented to Parliament, beginning with the past five years' statements. But "they would not be expected to disclose information that would prejudice security or compromise intelligence operations".
The report was handed to Kasrils in August. Delays in its release to the public have led to suspicions that the government is not keen on its proposals. "The impetus that was driven by Kasrils is now no longer there," said Lauren Hutton, an analyst at the Institute for Security Studies (ISS).
Kasrils said it would be ironic if the new "post-Polokwane" leadership in the African National Congress (ANC) and its alliance partners allowed the report to "fade away" unused. "I would find it surprising if those in government and at ruling party level who were so critical of the intelligence services just remained quiet while this important report gathers dust."
Kasrils, who along with several other government ministers resigned after the ousting of former president Thabo Mbeki, was replaced by Siyabonga Cwele, formerly the chairman of Parliament's standing committee on intelligence. Cwele's spokeswoman, Lorna Daniels, said he was still "processing" the report.
However, review commission chairman Joe Matthews said the report would be officially handed over to Cwele today . It was believed the delays were because, unlike the other intelligence agencies, the NIA had not yet responded to what is a very detailed document. "The position is that the minister is now ready to receive it officially," said Matthews, a former safety and security deputy minister.
He said the commission's terms of reference were that the report, which contains no classified information, would be made public. "As far as we were concerned, the terms of reference said we must produce a public report and we are expecting that it will be a public document," he said.
In appointing the commission in 2006, Kasrils aimed to clean up the intelligence services' image following instances of perceived political manipulation and abuse.
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