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28 November 2008

Programme director
Nkosi Mahlangu, bayete
Ministers of government
Members of the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence
Heads of Civilian Intelligence Services
Veterans and members of intelligence services
Invited guests
Ladies and gentlemen

It is a great honour and privilege for me to address you on the occasion where we celebrate the Intelligence Services Day. We gather during a period where there are significant political, social and economic developments not only in our country but also internationally. In the last half of this year we have witnessed changes in the political scene in our country and the international economic meltdown the negative effects which will be felt for months to come. Such developments test our character, our capacity, our resolve, our professionalism and our discipline.

Legacy of Joe Nhlanhla

We dedicate this Intelligence Services Day to the legacy of Joe Nhlanhla, the former Minister for Intelligence Services who pioneered the establishment of our services under the democratic government. In July this year former Minister Nhlanhla ceased to breathe after enduring almost eight years of his last years incapacitated by the stroke he suffered whilst performing Ministerial duties.

The task of amalgamating diverse structures from the previous apartheid government, the former Transkei, Bophuthatswana, Venda and Ciskei (TBVC) states and former liberation movements were not easy. We are proud today that we have gone a very long way towards achieving unity and common purpose. This unity and common purpose can be directly attributed in no small measure to the contribution of the late Joe Nhlanhla, with the assistance of the late Dullah Omar, who was the Ministerial Head of Civilian Intelligence Services from 1994 to 1999.

As a country, and the civilian services, we remain forever indebted to the hard work of Joe Nhlanhla. The existence of our services and institutions are a proud reminder of his legacy. We will shortly be unveiling his statue that is strategically placed at our garden and wall of remembrance. We also use this occasion of Intelligence Services Day to remember those of our members who passed on during the last quarter of 2007 until the end of October 2008. The President of the Republic will lead the wreath laying ceremony at the wall and plant a tree at the garden to mark this occasion.

Mission, values and principles of intelligence

The foundations laid by former Intelligence Ministers; Joe Nhlanhla, Lindiwe Sisulu and Ronnie Kasrils have set standards that successive Ministers and management of civilian intelligence services are obliged to follow, build on and continuously improve upon. In our work we have been guided by, among other things, the constitution of the country, legislation passed by Parliament, the White Paper on Intelligence and various internal regulations and directives developed over the past 13 years of the existence of the Civilian Intelligence Services.

Our work is further guided by the basic intelligence principles of collecting quality and unique information, the analysis of this unique information for timely presentation to policy and decision makers. Our country places a big responsibility on the shoulders of each and every member to perform these tasks to the best of their ability in order to maintain and promote national security and a societal environment that is free from violence and poverty.

As members of intelligence services we have a duty to respect the rule of law and human life and dignity without fail. As part of the South African population and government we have to work closely and cooperate with other government departments at all levels. We do this in order to positively contribute in the achievement of the national priorities and objectives set out in the government’s programme of action.

The government of the day places a big responsibility on the intelligence services, not only with regard to domestic stability and successful service delivery, but also with regard to peace and stability in the Southern African sub-region, the rest of the African continent and the world.

Maintenance of discipline

In order to fulfil these responsibilities we have to display high levels of discipline and professionalism at all times. We have to continuously show to the public, to parliament and the rest of government that we are equal to the task. We have to exercise great caution in our interaction with representatives of the media and politicians and members of the public we may have affinity to. We cannot afford media leaks such as happened earlier this year as it defeats our efforts to improve our capacity.

Members must at all times, hold the highest the ethical conduct. This includes our behaviour, not only at work, but also after hours. As intelligence officers, we must avoid irresponsible behaviour such as engaging in fighting, irresponsible political discussions and rumour mongering. The fulfilment of our functions must be done with great responsibility.

We have internal structures that have been created for members to raise their dissatisfaction and frustrations. We have the consultation mechanism at which members are represented at each chief directorate level. My door at the ministry is open to members to raise issues that they feel affect their ability to deliver services to the government and the country. It is the responsibility of management and representatives of members to ensure that the consultation mechanism works. The ministry will put necessary support and oversight to ensure proper functioning of the consultation mechanism.

In addition we expect the management to demonstrate exemplary leadership and improve communication with members. They must avoid the culture of instilling fear but inculcate the culture of accountability and diligence in the intelligence community. They must be the source of inspiration for better performance by all our members.

Capacity

Cabinet has over the past years identified capacity building of our intelligence services as a government priority. Various efforts have been undertaken to improve our training and technical capacity. All the services have provided financial assistance to those of our members who want to improve their skills and qualifications. We do all these things to increase our capacity to collect, evaluate and present our unique information that contributes to securing our country, our region, our continent and our world. We also do this to build a proud and professional membership of the intelligence services and to put us in a state of readiness for the tasks that lie ahead.

Forthcoming big events

We have a number of important tasks ahead, three of which are very important not only to us but to the rest of the South African public and have an impact beyond our borders. These are the 2009 national and provincial elections, the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup and the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

The recent political changes in our country have generated international interest as political parties prepare for the national and provincial elections of 2009. We have a task to ensure in partnership with society, political and other security organs that these elections take place in a peaceful and secure environment. Our focus, as in the past elections, is to ensure that we truthfully forewarn policy makers of any elements that would want to threaten and undermine national stability.

The same will apply to the June 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup where our country will host national teams from seven countries that have won the world cup and other regional competitions. We congratulate FIFA and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the incident free draw that took place on 22 November 2008. There is more work that lies ahead to ensure we pull all the stops and redouble our efforts to ensure that these matches are played under peaceful conditions as happened with the 1995 Rugby World Cup, the 1996 African Nations Cup and the 2003 Cricket World Cup.

Our collection, analysis and timely fore warning on terrorist threats, trans-national crime, drugs and human trafficking remain our area of focus. We have to assist the law enforcement agencies to deal with hooligan elements that have the potential of disrupting smooth running of the soccer games. We have also been engaging with our partners in the continent whom we depend on to secure this event. Let us remember that the FIFA Confederations Cup will serve as a dress rehearsal for the biggest sporting event, the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup which will be hosted for the first time in the African continent.

The 2010 FIFA World Cup will be the biggest sporting event that we will host as a country. At this stage we do not know which countries will qualify but we know that we will be hosting national teams from 31 countries who all have a large following. The task of securing these soccer events is not confined to the stadiums where the games will be played, but extends to the tourists in the hotels, game reserves, restaurants and in the fan parks.

Other priorities

The international significance of the big events I have mentioned have a bearing on the security of our borders. We need to take a closer look at our border security strategy and review the current model. We need a review of our national security doctrine and policy development. This should include the further development of the national security strategy and definition of the security architecture. Last but not least we need to strengthen the capacity of the National Communications Centre.

We should do this in order to contribute in increasing the service delivery capacity of the state. We need to confront complex challenges of migration and development of mega cities that have a potential of resulting in xenophobic tendencies and attacks on foreign nationals as we experienced earlier this year.

Financial efficiencies

The three upcoming events will require expert coordination among us and effective utilisation of our human and technical resources. For the past few years we have streamlined our expenditure ratios to ensure that we adequately invest in our capital projects and set aside more than enough funds for our operations. We will continue on this path to ensure that we maintain this healthy balance on the personnel, operational and capital expenditure.

In 2005 we introduced the Joe Nhlanhla award for those individuals, units or services that have demonstrated high levels of financial efficiencies without cutting on the allocations for core business of collection and analysis. We recognise the good work of our services in handling the taxpayers’ money as is evidenced by the consistently improving Auditor-General’s reports over the past few years. We need to maintain these standards to earn the trust of our communities and the government.

Ministerial medals

The awards we confer today are meant to serve as encouragement to all of us to redouble our efforts, conduct ourselves in exemplary manner and promote the spirit of camaraderie in this lonely profession. We need to bear in mind that medals are not the substitute for the normal performance evaluations that result in notch increases or merit bonuses. These medals carry prestige in them and recognise outstanding, remarkable and exceptional contributions made by the individual members that serve as an inspiration and example to be emulated by all.

These examples of exceptional, remarkable and outstanding contributions have been observed in our international and domestic engagements whether in conflict resolution or disruption of syndicates, for instance, that we have witnessed over the years. I want to appeal for your full participation in the process of nominations for these prestigious awards so that we ensure that recognition is given where it is due. Members have to play a role in setting performance standards and can do this through nominating deserving candidates.

We need improvement in the motivations we submit for the nominated candidates. These motivations have to be in line with the set criteria and show in a clear and convincing manner the impact the nominee’s actions and contributions have had on the service concerned or beyond the civilian intelligence services. I want to thank those services who nominated members for medals and though your nominees may not have been recommended I want to assure everyone that we appreciate the interest you have shown. I thank the adjudicating panel for taking time from their busy schedule to sift through piles of nominations and provide recommended candidates.

Conclusion

We have come to the end of an eventful year. We thank you for your invaluable contribution to the stability of our government and country. I wish to appeal again that we should continue to exercise discipline in our conduct and in our conversations. You must believe me when I say that the South African government values the role and contribution of the civilian intelligence services. Let us maintain our hard work, reliability and discipline. I want to thank management, members and staff for the support given to me since assuming this new post.

The intelligence services remain a crucial component and an important role player in the strategic goal of creating a non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous South Africa. As we participate in the 16 Days of Activism Against Women and Child Abuse we need to re-commit ourselves in stamping out these twin evils wherever we see them. Let us practice the slogan adopted this year. Do not look away, act against abuse! Let us also remember those of our people and members who are suffering from HIV and AIDS.

As we go on the festive season break we wish you peaceful festive break, that you exercise caution on the roads and spend wisely in these turbulent economic times. We want to see all of you returning from the festive break refreshed and ready to face the important tasks as we march into the 15th year of our democracy.

Our thanks go to the National Communication Centre for organising such a colourful event. You have set the standards high. Those who will be organising this event next year have a tough act to follow.

I thank you.

Issued by: Ministry of State Security
28 November 2008
Source: National Intelligence Agency (http://www.nia.gov.za/)