Merger of spy agencies led to Cabinet ministers giving SSA operatives 'illegal instructions'

The amalgamation of South Africa's intelligence agencies enabled some Cabinet ministers to issue illegal instructions to members of the State Security Agency (SSA), which amounted to executive overreach.

A "legislative gap" between 2010 and 2013 resulted in serious concerns and the illegal functioning of the SSA.

Years later, the SSA of today was sitting with challenges ranging from human resources, acting positions, patriarchy, personnel retention and inadequate budget allocation.