The NSS identifies violent crime, organised criminal networks, gang activity, infrastructure sabotage, and the proliferation of illegal firearms as primary threats to domestic security. It also draws attention to underlying socio-economic drivers such as poverty, inequality, and youth marginalisation. The document emphasises that a fragmented security approach, poor coordination between agencies, and a lack of community trust have allowed these problems to escalate.

Rebuilding the Police Service

A key theme in the NSS is the recognition that the South African Police Service (SAPS) has lost credibility in the eyes of the public. The NSS states plainly that the police service suffers from low public trust, internal corruption, poor investigative capacity, and inconsistent service delivery. These weaknesses are particularly stark in high-crime urban centres and informal settlements, where communities increasingly rely on private security or vigilante groups in the absence of effective policing.

To address this, the NSS calls for a “professional, trusted and well-led” SAPS, with a stronger emphasis on intelligence-driven policing, accountability, and community engagement. Proposals include improved training standards, more rigorous leadership development, and a modernised crime intelligence capability. The strategy also suggests enhanced internal vetting mechanisms to prevent infiltration by criminal networks. However, the absence of specific budget allocations or timelines casts doubt on whether these reforms can be meaningfully implemented, especially in the face of fiscal austerity and competing national priorities. This comes as calls grow for an increase in defence spending, while SAPS sits with a R120.89 billion budget for 2025/26.

Strengthening Local Policing Structures

Oversight and Reform of Private Security

The private security industry continues to play a dominant and expanding role in the country’s public safety landscape. According to the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA), there are more than 630,000 active private security officers registered as of March 2025, more than triple the number of South African Police Service (SAPS) personnel. Tens of thousands of licensed private security firms operate across residential, commercial, and critical infrastructure sites. The NSS recognises the operational value of this sector, especially in areas where state policing capacity is weak or absent. However, it also flags the unco-ordinated growth of private security as a potential threat to state sovereignty, legal accountability, and equitable access to safety services.

In response, the NSS calls for a comprehensive overhaul of the regulatory environment governing private security. The strategy advocates for tighter state oversight, improved vetting procedures, and full alignment with national security protocols. It emphasises the need for stricter licensing, regular audits, and clearer reporting standards to ensure that private security operations adhere to constitutional principles and human rights norms. It also proposes that private security companies be more formally integrated into national safety and security planning frameworks. These measures are meant to mitigate the risks posed by a sector that has, in many instances, operated in silos, with minimal coordination or public accountability. However, the NSS does not fully address the historical difficulties in enforcing such regulation, which include insufficient regulatory capacity and industry resistance to reform.

The proposed reforms come as PSIRA recently advanced new regulations regarding the use and control of firearms by private security personnel, including limitations on weapon types, stricter storage requirements, and enhanced training standards. These proposals aim to reduce the misuse of firearms and address public concerns about the increasingly militarised posture of some private firms. While broadly welcomed by public safety advocates, the proposed regulations have been met with pushback from the industry, who argue that they undermine operational effectiveness. The success of both the NSS recommendations and PSIRA’s regulatory efforts will depend on the political will to enforce compliance, the ability to strengthen state oversight mechanisms, and whether the industry can be incentivised, or compelled, to operate in alignment with national security interests.

Community Involvement and Social Prevention

The strategy advocates for a renewed emphasis on community participation in security. Community Policing Forums (CPFs), which have long existed in theory but often lack capacity or legitimacy, are to be revitalised and professionalised. The NSS envisions CPFs acting as bridges between communities and the police, facilitating intelligence gathering, conflict resolution, and the early identification of localised threats.

In tandem, the document outlines a broader social prevention approach, aiming to address the conditions that fuel crime. This includes support for youth development programmes, substance abuse treatment, urban renewal, and job creation initiatives. While these are laudable goals, they fall largely outside the mandate of traditional security services and depend heavily on interdepartmental cooperation, long-term investment, and stable governance, all of which remain inconsistent across much of the country.

A Strategy in Need of Substance

The NSS offers a detailed and well-structured analysis of South Africa’s domestic security challenges, acknowledging the shortcomings of past approaches that were often reactive, fragmented, and poorly co-ordinated. It shifts the focus toward a more integrated model of security that combines law enforcement, regulatory reform, community participation, and socio-economic development. This broader understanding of security reflects international best practices and addresses the complex interplay between crime, governance, inequality, and public trust. On paper, the strategy marks a significant evolution in the government’s thinking about internal security.

However, translating that vision into concrete results will be far more difficult, and relies on the government doing something it has often failed to do, delivering on it’s promises. The success of the domestic security component depends on more than policy clarity. It will require a deep generational reform within the SAPS, effective regulation of the sprawling private security sector, and the revitalisation of community-level safety structures. These tasks are interdependent and must be carried out in a co-ordinated manner across all levels of government, alongside the reform and modernisation of the military. Without functional intergovernmental co-operation and clearly defined roles, the NSS risks replicating the policy incoherence that has plagued previous security strategies.

Crucially, implementation will hinge on four often elusive ingredients: targeted and sustained funding, technical and administrative capacity, political will, and public trust. Each of these has historically been lacking. Budget allocations to SAPS and related institutions have not kept pace with growing security demands. Regulatory bodies such as PSIRA have limited enforcement capacity. Politically, security policy has often been driven by short-term crisis management rather than long-term structural reform. Meanwhile, in many communities, trust in both local and national policing institutions has collapsed, making community-based initiatives difficult to sustain.

Unless these systemic constraints are addressed head-on, the NSS risks becoming yet another well-written plan that never fully moves off the page. Its strength lies in diagnosing the problem and pointing to the correct areas for intervention. Its weakness, at this stage, is the lack of concrete operational detail and credible assurance that implementation will follow. For the NSS to break with the failures of the past, it will need more than policy alignment, it will need hard decisions, measurable progress, and a transparent, accountable delivery framework that earns the confidence of the public.

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The Minister made these remarks during a media briefing in Cape Town on Tuesday, where she released the redacted version of the National Security Strategy (NSS) and the National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) for the sixth administration.

Responding to questions from the media regarding current risks to national security, Ntshavheni revealed that government had identified, among others, the threat of a coup d’état but emphasised that no such attempt had materialised.

“We have listed the risks and remember a risk does not necessarily materialise…You need to identify it and mitigate against it. One of the risks is the risk of coup d’état. We have identified it and put measures to mitigate against it.

“That’s why we say to South Africans, there’s not been anyone attempting to do a coup in South Africa. In the last few days or in the last few weeks, there’s not been anyone. Not that there are not people planning, they are – but we continuously monitoring them and making sure that we deal with those,” the Minister said.

Reinforcing this message, Minister Ntshavheni added that the security cluster is solid and well able to do its work.

“The security cluster is solid, it is able to do its work. There are men and women in various capacities, who continue to work as patriots for the protection of this country and there are men and women in the intelligence services or intelligence community who continue to work to make sure this country is safe. There are men and women in the defence and police services who work for the greater benefit of this country,” she said.

The Minister said government is taking a transparent and proactive approach to national security, noting that the release of the NSS and NIE would allow public engagement and strengthen accountability.

“So, any matters or challenges that confront us, we are a resilient nation, we’ve always found solutions, we’ve always been able to deal with challenges and we’ve addressed them,” the Minister said.

She said the President has taken decisive action by establishing a commission of inquiry with expedited timelines and a clear mandate to report findings to Parliament and the judiciary – further underscoring government’s commitment to transparency and swift action.

“That must give South Africans the comfort that their security is a priority for this government,” the Minister said.

Ntshavheni emphasised that releasing the public version of the National Security Strategy would further empower citizens to understand government’s policy and strategic focus.

“So other countries release the strategies, it will help South Africans to understand, what are we focusing on at the policy and strategy level and how they can also help. We have not given you the full strategy. We have given you what we call the public version of the strategy, because the others that are sensitive are for our implementation and other agencies that we work with. But it’s important that South Africans understand our mandate and what we are focusing on,” she said.

This strategy, she explained, guides the work of the State Security Agency and the broader intelligence community.

“You must hold us accountable – to say what you have set yourself as the pillars of the strategy, what is the progress you are making, including what we call the national intelligence estimates and priorities,” the Minister said.

She further indicated that the Department is open to discussions about national security progress and challenges – both at domestic and foreign levels.

No threats to G20 delegates

Addressing concerns around the safety of G20 delegates as South Africa prepares to host key events ahead of the G20 summit later this year, Minister Ntshavheni assured that there is no single threat to delegates.

“We do threats assessments for all meetings, it doesn’t matter if it’s a Sherpa meeting or a Ministerial meeting. We do threat assessments in time and we mitigate. There has not been any threats coming out in South Africa. The safety and security of the delegates of the G20 is guaranteed,” she said.

The Minister referenced South Africa’s successful hosting of other high-level events in the past, including the BRICS Summit, to affirm the country’s capability to provide secure environments for global engagements.

“It is not the first important meeting that this country has hosted. We have hosted the BRICS Summit with high profile delegates who are mostly at risk, and everybody was safe in this country,” Minister Ntshavheni said.

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The Minister released the National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) 2019 – 2024, the National Intelligence Priorities (NIPs), and the National Security Strategy (NSS) 2024 – 2029 during a media briefing in Cape Town on Tuesday.

The Minister had earlier in the day tabled the 2025 State Security Agency Budget Vote in Parliament.

At the briefing, she underscored that this was the first time in the country’s history that such core national intelligence instruments were being published in a manner that is both transparent and structured, while preserving the integrity of national security.

“It is not only a profound step forward, but a clear paradigm shift in how the intelligence community relates to the State, to Parliament, and to the people,” Ntshavheni said.

The Minister framed the public release of the NIE and NSS as part of a broader shift towards constitutional accountability, transparency and national resilience, in line with Section 198 of the Constitution and the recommendations of the 2018 High-Level Review Panel on the State Security Agency (SSA).

“The release of the NIE, NIPs and NSS represents not only compliance with that directive but a deliberate act of democratic renewal. It is our commitment to building a modern, ethical, and professional intelligence capability, guided by law, oversight, and strategic foresight.

“This is part of our commitment to transform the sector to serve the Constitution, not partisan interests,” she said.

Key threats and priorities identified

The NIE 2019 – 2024 provides a comprehensive assessment of the threats facing the nation, ranging from illegal migration, cybercrime, transnational organised crime, to climate and domestic instability. The Estimate is built around five core themes: threats to the economy, territorial integrity, the authority of the State, citizen well-being, and foreign influences.

The Minister detailed how the National Intelligence Priorities were aligned with government’s Medium-Term Strategic Framework, and focused on challenges such as:

• Countering border-based threats and foreign infiltration in strategic sectors.
• Strengthening cyber forensic capabilities to curb illicit financial flows.
• Investigating threats to South Africa’s sovereign economic capacity.
• Preventing terror financing, drug trafficking, and human smuggling.

On the foreign intelligence front, the focus includes consolidating South Africa’s continental leadership role, defending its interests in multilateral fora, and countering espionage and hostile foreign interference.

A whole-of-society security strategy

Central to the Minister’s announcement was the unveiling of the new National Security Strategy (2024 – 2029), which introduces a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to security.

“The NSS is grounded in the principle that national security is inseparable from human security, economic stability, democratic governance, social justice and above all national interest,” the Minister said.

The strategy is underpinned by eight critical pillars, including:

• Protection of South Africans or Public Security (Well-being of South Africans).
• Protection of Territorial Integrity of the Republic.
• Protection and Projection of the Country’s Sovereignty.
• Protection of the Economy or Economic Security.
• Protection of Cyberspace and the Environment.
• Protection and Promotion of Technology and Innovation.
• Protection of the Environment and Natural Resources or Environmental Security.
• Protection of South Africa’s Culture and Heritage (Cultural Security).

Each pillar speaks to the State’s responsibility to safeguard not only physical borders, but also economic sovereignty, digital resilience and social cohesion.

Intelligence in Service of the People

Ntshavheni emphasised that the publication of these documents is not the end, but rather “the beginning of a new, progressive chapter” in national intelligence.

“We do so in a world of rapidly evolving threats, hybrid warfare, misinformation, climate-induced instability, and shifting geopolitical dynamics. Our national security response must be anticipatory, inclusive, and adaptive,” she said.

She concluded by honouring the national intelligence community and reaffirming the importance of principled intelligence that serves the people and the Constitution, not partisan interests.

“Let history reflect that we chose transparency over secrecy, service over self-interest, and reform over inertia, and this is done within the constraints of our national security interests.

“Let us now work together to protect and advance our democratic gains through intelligence that is principled, professional, and people-centred,” the Minister said.

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The assurance came in response to a parliamentary question from Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) MP Vuyani Pambo, who asked Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni to clarify whether any threats had been identified and what measures were in place to address them.

Ntshavheni stated that since assuming the G20 Presidency in late 2024, the State Security Agency (SSA), working with the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NatJoints), has conducted ongoing threat and risk assessments linked to all G20-related events.

“There are currently no confirmed or imminent threats,” Ntshavheni said. “However, the SSA remains on high alert and continues to assess a broad range of risks.”

These risks include international terrorism, regional or global geopolitical developments, domestic unrest, the potential influence of foreign conflicts, threats at border entry points, and concerns regarding the safety of both international delegates and official venues.

To address these risks, the SSA is implementing a series of intelligence-led security measures. These include enhanced surveillance, coordination with national and foreign intelligence and law enforcement bodies, and strengthened protection protocols at all event sites.

All G20 events hosted so far have taken place without incident. The security framework, according to Ntshavheni, remains strong and will be continually reassessed as the summit approaches.

South Africa is set to host the G20 Summit in November 2025, marking a key moment in its diplomatic calendar and placing added focus on its ability to ensure a secure environment for international leaders and delegates.

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The NSS is intended to guide the government’s overall approach to national security, while the NIE assesses the country’s threat landscape and identifies priority risks. The NSS is particularly important given the current lack of a formal white paper meant to guide national security and foreign policy, to crucial aspects required for providing direction to the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). Given SANDF’s current turmoil, the release of NSS is seen as vital by members of parliament, across the political spectrum.

The delay prompted a written parliamentary question from Democratic Alliance MP Chris Hattingh. After an initial inquiry in October 2024, Hattingh posed a follow-up question on 23 May 2025, as to when the NSS or a redacted version would be released and why publication had not occurred since the document’s finalisation.

In her response, Minister Ntshavheni stated that the revision of the release date was due to ongoing consultations and legal guidance regarding the implications of publishing material produced by national intelligence structures. She cited the need to balance constitutional obligations under Section 198 and the National Strategic Intelligence Act (Act 39 of 1994). While affirming her commitment to the release, Ntshavheni said the NSS would be published once these processes were concluded, preferably before her next budget vote speech, which is scheduled for 15 July 2025.

This delay is despite Ntshavheni statement in her 2024 budget speech that the strategy was already approved by Cabinet, following consultation with the National Intelligence Co-ordinating Committee (NICOC) and the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence (JSCI). Further, Ntshavheni noted that “in accordance with the law and best practice,” the NSS would be released in September 2024.

The 2024/25 NIE, which was also expected to be released in August 2024, has similarly not been made public. There has been no formal update on its status or whether a new estimate has since been prepared for the 2025/26 financial year.

The continued non-publication of both documents raises concerns about transparency and accountability in the intelligence sector. While some degree of classification is expected in national security matters, the lack of even a redacted or summarised NSS contrasts with international practices in democratic governance, where strategic frameworks are often published in abridged form to allow public and parliamentary scrutiny.

The delays in publishing the NSS and NIE come amid broader calls for reform and transparency in the intelligence sector, following the recommendations of the High-Level Review Panel on the State Security Agency, which emphasised the need for improved public accountability.

With no new publication date confirmed, attention will likely remain on the Ministry’s commitment to openness and whether these key strategic documents will be released within the current financial year.

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Addressing concerns about the potential detriment to national security due to downsizing and the removal of seasoned intelligence staff, Minister Ntshavheni confirmed that the SSA’s human resources policy prioritises ongoing intakes into its cadet programme. This, she said, is designed to ensure a continuous pipeline of new talent within the agency.

According to the Minister, additional efforts are being made through the Intelligence Academy and the SSA’s bursary scheme to formalise training initiatives and identify critical skills shortages. These include mentoring, coaching, job shadowing, and other workplace learning initiatives aimed at addressing both current and future leadership, functional, and technology-related skills gaps.

A succession plan is currently in place, particularly for senior management roles, the Minister added.

On the issue of staff reductions, Minister Ntshavheni clarified that the Voluntary Severance Package (VSP) programme was introduced as part of a wider restructuring effort. This restructuring follows the recommendations of the High-Level Review Panel Report, which called for a redefinition of the agency’s mandate, improved personnel management, and the modernisation of its operations.

She stressed that the VSP initiative is aligned with the government’s early retirement scheme, announced during the October 2024 mid-term budget by the Minister of Finance. All VSP applications, she noted, are voluntary but subject to approval or rejection based on the agency’s operational needs.

While the Minister’s reply outlines a clear strategy for talent development and organisational reform, it does not directly address whether any non-financial factors are contributing to the removal of experienced personnel, beyond the general references to modernisation and restructuring. Critics may question whether these measures sufficiently mitigate the potential risks of losing institutional knowledge in a volatile global security environment.

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Responding to a series of questions from NCOP members, Minister Ntshavheni stated that the SSA had completed a full-scale internal skills audit to assess personnel competencies. “The skills audit has helped to clarify the skills and competency gaps within the agency,” she said. “It has supported the need for a skills refresh through both training and retraining, voluntary service packages, and alternative redeployment.”

The audit, she explained, was followed by the implementation of training programmes targeting core capabilities, including data science, cyber analysis, and intelligence tradecraft. “We need skills in data science and related fields. The recruitment process will close those gaps,” she noted, adding that career-pathing and succession planning frameworks were being finalised to support longer-term professional development.

Ntshavheni confirmed that with the General Intelligence Laws Amendment Bill (GILAB) being signed into law, the road has been paved for the structural separation of domestic and foreign intelligence branches within the SSA. However, she stressed that the two new entities were not yet operational. “They will only start to operate on the day that will be proclaimed by the President,” she said. “We are working to ensure that all necessary regulations are in place before the proclamation to mitigate risk and ensure accountability.”

She emphasised that while the agency is undergoing reconfiguration, it is not being dismantled, “There is neither a dissolution of existing structures nor the establishment of new entities, but an organisational reconfiguration of the SSA to enhance operational, strategic, and organisational efficiency.”

This process, she said, had been benchmarked against international best practices. “A team was appointed to study global intelligence models, and we were fortunate that this benchmarking work was completed before the amendment bill was finalised.”

In response to concerns over transparency and past political interference, the Minister reiterated that oversight of the intelligence sector remains with the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence (JSCI) and the Inspector-General of Intelligence. “The JSCI has completed an induction at the SSA head office, and feedback indicates satisfaction with the level of disclosure,” she said. “We are also finalising internal regulations that will govern accountability and performance.”

When pressed about internal resistance to change, Ntshavheni acknowledged the challenge but stated that steps were being taken to address it. “We’ve appointed a dedicated change management officer to engage with staff and management,” she explained. “Management swaps have also been introduced to prevent the perception of purges, and we are using alternative deployment mechanisms so staff do not feel discarded but rather repurposed.”

She reported improved cooperation from within the agency, particularly among junior ranks: “Intelligence officers below management level have been very supportive of the changes, especially those recommended by the Zondo Commission and High-Level Review Panel.”

The Minister clarified that the SSA does not have arrest powers but contributes by collecting and sharing intelligence with law enforcement. “Our duty is to identify and profile syndicates so that the police do not just shoot in the dark,” she said. “We hand over what we gather to SAPS and other agencies.”

SSA, she explained, participates in the National Priority Crimes Operational Committee (NPCOC) and is part of the team developing a national integrated strategy to combat transnational organised crime. The strategy is expected to be finalised by September 2025.

She also confirmed that SSA is working closely with the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC), the Financial Sector Conduct Authority, the Reserve Bank, and the banking industry to address money laundering, suspicious transactions, and criminal use of crypto-assets. “We have a solid working relationship in this environment,” she said.

Ntshavheni stated that SSA is actively monitoring political movements and support groups, both foreign and domestic, that may pose a risk to national security. “We are vigilant against disinformation campaigns, cyber operations, and ideological influences that could destabilise public trust in democratic institutions,” she said.

When asked about the spread of narratives that allegedly incite racial division or foreign intervention, she confirmed that “law enforcement agencies are investigating acts of treason relating to false information being spread internationally.” She acknowledged the need for better regulation of civil society organisations while affirming that constitutional freedoms would be respected. “The transformation of governance frameworks will not infringe on civil liberties but will strengthen oversight of nonprofit organisations,” she said.

Concluding her remarks, the Minister said that many of the reforms aim to institutionalise accountability mechanisms. “We are working to ensure that governance improvements are not tied to a particular minister but embedded within the system,” she stated. “People who hold the appropriate skills do not owe their position to anyone, and that helps depoliticise the agency.”

The Minister also highlighted the importance of performance management frameworks and regulatory clarity: “Accountability will no longer depend on favours. It will be guided by regulations and operational directives that bring certainty to how intelligence work is executed.”

While noting that reform is ongoing, she affirmed that capacity exists within the SSA to support current operations: “We are not yet where we want to be, but we are on track.”

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Alongside Lucas, the new members were sworn into the JSCI on 01 April 2025, further strengthening parliamentary oversight of intelligence operations. The newly appointed members are Doris Eunice Dlakude, Mluleki Dlelanga, Tshilidzi Bethuel Munyai, Kenneth Mosimanegape Mmoiemang, Jane Seboletswe Mananiso, Dianne Kohler, Jeanne Marguerite Adriaanse, and Nicholas Georg Myburgh. These members took their oaths before Judge President Nolwazi Mabindla-Boqwana of the Western Cape Division of the High Court during a formal swearing-in ceremony at Parliament.

The JSCI is responsible for overseeing the operations of South Africa’s intelligence agencies, including the newly established intelligence branches, following the restructuring of the State Security Agency (SSA). The committee ensures that these agencies operate within legal frameworks and do not overstep their mandates. As Chairperson, Lucas will be responsible for leading investigations, reviewing intelligence budgets, and ensuring compliance with national security legislation.

The appointments to the JSCI come at a pivotal time as South Africa implements the General Intelligence Laws Amendment Bill (GILAB), which was signed into law by President Cyril Ramaphosa, albeit after a 10 month delay. This legislative reform marks a significant overhaul of South Africa’s intelligence services and strengthens oversight mechanisms.

The GILAB amends key intelligence-related laws, including the National Strategic Intelligence Act of 1994, the Intelligence Services Act of 2002, and the Intelligence Services Oversight Act of 1994. Among its major reforms, the law disestablishes the State Security Agency (SSA) and replaces it with two distinct entities. The Foreign Intelligence Service (FIS) will be responsible for foreign intelligence gathering, identifying both opportunities and threats to national security. The Domestic Intelligence Agency (DIA) will focus on counter-intelligence and gathering domestic intelligence to detect internal security threats. In addition, the law re-establishes the South African National Academy of Intelligence (SANAI) and the Intelligence Training Institute to enhance intelligence capacity-building.

Further provisions include the introduction of stricter measures regarding bulk interception of internet traffic entering or leaving South Africa, requiring internal authorisations and court reviews. The law also enhances financial management and expenditure oversight of intelligence entities under the JSCI’s purview and provides greater autonomy for the Inspector-General of Intelligence and the National Intelligence Coordinating Committee (NICOC) in making administrative and operational decisions.

With these structural reforms, the JSCI’s role in ensuring that intelligence agencies function lawfully and effectively becomes even more crucial. The committee will oversee the budgets, operations, and conduct of both the FIS and DIA, ensuring compliance with national security policies and legal frameworks.

The restructuring aligns with the recommendations of the 2018 Presidential High-Level Review Panel on the SSA and the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into State Capture (the Zondo Commission). These reports highlighted past intelligence abuses, political interference, and financial mismanagement within the SSA, necessitating urgent reforms to restore integrity and effectiveness within the intelligence sector.

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The General Intelligence Laws Amendment Bill signed on Friday is the basis for significant reforms of South Africa’s intelligence services that will be accompanied by improved oversight and accountability.

In a statement, the Presidency said the amendment Act amends the National Strategic Intelligence Act of 1994, the Intelligence Services Act of 2002, and the Intelligence Services Oversight Act of 1994.

“Among other reforms, the amendment Act disestablishes the current State Security Agency as a national government department and replaces it with two separate departments.

“The new departments are the Foreign Intelligence Service (FIS) which shall be responsible for foreign intelligence gathering so as to identify opportunities and threats to National Security, and the Domestic Intelligence Agency (DIA) which shall be responsible for counter-intelligence as well as the gathering of domestic intelligence in order to identify threats to National Security,” the Presidency said.

The amendment Act also re-establishes the South African National Academy of Intelligence (SANAI) and Intelligence Training Institute for both Domestic and Foreign Intelligence capacities.

The wide-ranging amendments constitute implementation of the recommendations of the 2018 Presidential High-Level Review Panel on the State Security Agency (SSA) and of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture, Corruption and Fraud in the Public Sector (the Zondo Commission).

“The law also addresses concerns about bulk interception by intelligence services of internet traffic entering or leaving South Africa, by introducing new measures including authorisation within the intelligence services as well as court reviews of such interception,” the statement read.

The law provides for the administration, financial management and expenditure of the intelligence service entities to be within the ambit of the oversight of the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence – a multiparty committee of Parliament that processes public complaints about the intelligence services and monitors the finances and operations of these services.

The newly enacted amendments also provide for greater autonomy for the Inspector-General of Intelligence and the National Intelligence Coordinating Committee (NICOC) in making administrative and functional decisions.

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The GILAB is designed to modernise intelligence laws and enhance the operational efficiency of South Africa’s intelligence agencies. By updating the legal framework within which intelligence bodies operate, the bill aims to improve national security and ensure better coordination among agencies.

However, despite its passage on 16 May 2024, the bill has not yet been enacted, leading to questions about the impact of this delay on the safety of the Republic.

Section 84 of the Constitution mandates that the President must carefully review and apply his mind before assenting to any bill. While this process is an important safeguard, critics argue that the extended delay is excessive and could hinder intelligence operations.

The Minister in the Presidency has defended the delay, stating that the intelligence community has used this time to “prepare the Agency for the implementation of the Bill.” However, this reasoning has been met with scepticism.

Nicholas Myburgh, member of parliament for the Democratic Alliance, who serves on the Ad Hoc Committee on Intelligence, has strongly criticised the delay, questioning both the justification given by the Minister and the President’s inaction.

“Firstly, since the Minister has indicated that SSA is using the President’s inordinately long delay in assenting to the GILAB ‘to prepare the Agency for the implementation of the Bill,’ it begs the question: what exactly do these preparations entail?”

“Secondly, it raises the legitimate expectation of the rapid and fully effective implementation of the Bill once the President has considered it important enough to sign.”

Myburgh did not hold back in his criticism of the President’s handling of the bill, expressing concern over the prolonged inaction.

“It is quite extraordinary that 10 months after Parliament passed the Bill, widely considered as crucial to the safety of the Republic and the operational efficiency of the SSA, the President is either sleeping on the job or simply being reckless with the security of the state.”

With intelligence threats evolving rapidly, the delay in enacting the bill has raised alarm bells. While the government maintains that preparations are underway, there is growing pressure on the President to provide clarity on when he intends to sign the bill into law.

As security concerns continue to mount, many believe that the urgency of the situation demands swift action. The delay has sparked debate over whether constitutional processes are being followed responsibly or whether inaction is placing South Africa’s security at unnecessary risk.

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