The Democratic Alliance (DA) has requested an investigation by the Inspector-General for Intelligence into reports of Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni directing all employees of the State Security Agency (SSA) over the age of 50 to either take early retirement or face retrenchment.
It has been reported that the Minister instructed approximately 200 senior SSA officials that they must retire early or face dismissal. Further reports suggest that a similar ultimatum will be extended to the rest of the SSA’s staff in the near future.
The DA has expressed concern that this blanket policy could result in the loss of valuable intelligence expertise within the SSA, without evaluating the individual contributions of its employees. Without the protections of the Labour Relations Act, SSA staff may have limited recourse in challenging this decision, Democratic Alliance spokesperson on state security, Dianne Kohler Barnard, said.
In response to the findings of the Zondo Commission of Inquiry into State Capture, which revealed significant misconduct within the SSA, the DA has reiterated its call for the disbandment of the agency. It advocates for the creation of a fully independent, efficient, and transparent state security agency that operates free from political interference, the party said in a statement. “The DA also emphasizes the need for strengthened parliamentary oversight of national security matters.”
The DA further points out that, to date, no arrests or recoveries have been made regarding the SSA’s mismanagement during the presidency of Jacob Zuma. Despite the exposure of corruption within the agency, the SSA has yet to effectively address internal misconduct or rebuild its operations.
While the DA acknowledges the need for reform within the SSA, it argues that the mass retirement or retrenchment of hundreds of employees, without assessing their individual qualifications or involvement in past wrongdoing, may be a disproportionate response. The DA stresses that each employee’s expertise, performance, and potential links to corruption should be considered before making such sweeping decisions.
