Budget Vote on Intelligence By Cecil Burgess, MP
2004-06-23. Hon. Minister, congratulations on your appointment, ID looks forward to a long and warm working relationship with you in your new portfolio.
You have nevertheless inherited a department that has a past legacy
that has not always inspired public confidence. Furthermore, your
department has also in the past been viewed with suspicion and fear
mainly due to the unlawful manner in which it operated during the years
of the apartheid regime.
In addition, TV, modern day films and the MEDIA have also very often portrayed intelligence departments as dirty tricks organizations surrounded by secrecy with unlimited authority to perform outside of the law and little or no accountability.
We as South Africans must accept that the many conflicts and unrest all around the world, including those here in our continent, Africa, have had an influence on international stability and peace and as such affected the well being of all South Africans.
South Africa is moreover, a signatory to many multilateral agreements and also a member of numerous international organizations, such as the United Nations, as a consequence of which we have inherited an obligation to participate in the contribution to the world peace and stability.
Too many innocent people are being killed all around the world and we are been sensitized to accept that this is the natural order of things.
Accordingly, the important role that your department has to play in the safety and security of this country must therefore not be underestimated. The ID recognizes and acknowledges this role.
BUT
However, in the attempt to provide a safe environment for all South Africans there is a need for your department to secure public confidence and approval and this will depend on results.
There is a tremendous challenge therefore that awaits your Department. Your Department is one that functions with low and limited levels of transparency, which can be accepted as necessary in the public interest and for the greater national good. High levels of accountability however, must accompany this.
The ID trust that you will always be guided and subject to the Rule of law and the Constitution of the country.
While you, Hon, Minister are new in this position you are no doubt by virtue of your previous experience familiar with the environment. Your recent interaction with the Standing Committee on Intelligence was very impressive and it was noted that you have already identified certain areas for immediate attention.
We accordingly trust that you will also give due attention to the following:
1. Gender considerations when dealing with personnel appointments since this is a constitutional obligation.
2. The need for modernized equipment to gather and distribute information.
3. The need for modernized training and training facilities.
4. The need to know your personnel and what they do.
Another matter that requires attention is guarding against the duplication of functions and therefore unnecessary state expenditure.
According to the Department of Safety and Security Budget Vote, Crime Intelligence remains one of the fastest growing programmes in their Budget in order to meet the increasing demand for the effective crime intelligence for the police and represents 2.8% of their Vote.
However, the Department of Safety and Security raised the following issue in its presentation to the Ad Hoc Committee for consideration:
How the various intelligence functions are coordinated i.e. between the police, the Scorpions and the National Intelligence Agency to reduce duplication and share information?â€
Nonetheless there is a legal obligation on the Department to provide for the co-ordination of all intelligence services.
In conclusion, and on a lighter note Hon. Minister, we the ID look forward to a new era under your leadership where there are no secrete funds and no dirty tricks but greater security and prosperity.
I thank you.
In addition, TV, modern day films and the MEDIA have also very often portrayed intelligence departments as dirty tricks organizations surrounded by secrecy with unlimited authority to perform outside of the law and little or no accountability.
We as South Africans must accept that the many conflicts and unrest all around the world, including those here in our continent, Africa, have had an influence on international stability and peace and as such affected the well being of all South Africans.
South Africa is moreover, a signatory to many multilateral agreements and also a member of numerous international organizations, such as the United Nations, as a consequence of which we have inherited an obligation to participate in the contribution to the world peace and stability.
Too many innocent people are being killed all around the world and we are been sensitized to accept that this is the natural order of things.
Accordingly, the important role that your department has to play in the safety and security of this country must therefore not be underestimated. The ID recognizes and acknowledges this role.
BUT
However, in the attempt to provide a safe environment for all South Africans there is a need for your department to secure public confidence and approval and this will depend on results.
There is a tremendous challenge therefore that awaits your Department. Your Department is one that functions with low and limited levels of transparency, which can be accepted as necessary in the public interest and for the greater national good. High levels of accountability however, must accompany this.
The ID trust that you will always be guided and subject to the Rule of law and the Constitution of the country.
While you, Hon, Minister are new in this position you are no doubt by virtue of your previous experience familiar with the environment. Your recent interaction with the Standing Committee on Intelligence was very impressive and it was noted that you have already identified certain areas for immediate attention.
We accordingly trust that you will also give due attention to the following:
1. Gender considerations when dealing with personnel appointments since this is a constitutional obligation.
2. The need for modernized equipment to gather and distribute information.
3. The need for modernized training and training facilities.
4. The need to know your personnel and what they do.
Another matter that requires attention is guarding against the duplication of functions and therefore unnecessary state expenditure.
According to the Department of Safety and Security Budget Vote, Crime Intelligence remains one of the fastest growing programmes in their Budget in order to meet the increasing demand for the effective crime intelligence for the police and represents 2.8% of their Vote.
However, the Department of Safety and Security raised the following issue in its presentation to the Ad Hoc Committee for consideration:
How the various intelligence functions are coordinated i.e. between the police, the Scorpions and the National Intelligence Agency to reduce duplication and share information?â€
Nonetheless there is a legal obligation on the Department to provide for the co-ordination of all intelligence services.
In conclusion, and on a lighter note Hon. Minister, we the ID look forward to a new era under your leadership where there are no secrete funds and no dirty tricks but greater security and prosperity.
I thank you.
