Surveillance Law Ruled 'Unlawful' by South African High Court
The Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg has declared mass surveillance and the interception of foreign signals by the National Communications Centre "unlawful and invalid". This comes after investigative press unit amaBhungane launched legal action against the Regulation of Interception of Communications and Provision of Communication Related Information Act (RICA) in 2017 after receiving confirmation that its managing partner, Sam Sole, had been the target of state surveillance when he investigated a National Prosecuting Authority decision to drop corruption charges against former president Jacob Zuma. RICA regulates the interception of communications and associated processes such as applications for and authorisation of interception of communications. The law came into effect on 22 January 2003.
South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg (file photo).