Intelligence law to be reviewed
2005-10-26 23:11
Pretoria - Legislation and procedures governing intelligence services will be reviewed in a bid to avoid "future abuses", Intelligence Minister Ronnie Kasrils said on Wednesday.
This was aimed at determining "whether there are any gaps or ambiguities that need tightening up", the minister said in a statement.
"I intend reviewing the legislation, internal regulations and operating procedures that currently govern the intelligence services," Kasrils said.
"In light of the recent events, it is important to look at interventions necessary to prevent any future abuses occurring in the intelligence community."
Kasrils said the country's intelligence services were required to perform their functions in defence of the national interest and in terms of the constitution.
"In addition, I will be developing a civic education programme aimed at entrenching a culture of political non-partisanship and constitutionalism throughout the intelligence services."
His spokesperson, Lorna Daniels, said a review team had yet to be set up. It was not known by when the exercise would be concluded.
Kasrils recently suspended national intelligence agency director-general Billy Masetlha and two other senior officials pending an ongoing probe into claims of "serious misconduct".
This reportedly related to the unauthorised surveillance of politician-turned-businessman Saki Macozoma.
The matter has been linked in the media to a succession battle in the ANC between President Thabo Mbeki and his axed corruption-accused deputy Jacob Zuma.
- SAPA