Assurance of no political interference in new intelligence agencies

Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni has assured Members of Parliament that newly established intelligence agencies will be free of political interference.

Ntshavheni was answering oral questions in the National Council of Provinces.

The Presidential High-Level Review Panel and State Capture Commission’s recommendations were to separate the intelligence service into two agencies, foreign and domestic.

This will be done via the General Intelligence Laws Amendment Bill or the so-called Spy Bill, which is currently out for public hearings. Ntshavheni was asked how political interference will be prevented in future.

“The politician is a thing of the past, made sure no politician of the organization and continuous work, we are doing, is to rid ourselves of the elements of those who want to play into politics.”

Ntshavheni says police are continuing with their investigation into a charge of treason against Afrikaner activist groups for providing false information to the US government about the alleged persecution of white South Africans.

“The law enforcement agencies are investigating the treasonous act of misinformation and also that which is provided for in the, I forgot the right naming of the act that talks about treason in the country. And unfortunately, I can’t go into the detail of that because it will compromise the work of the law enforcement agencies. But we continue to make sure that the treasonous acts cannot be left unpunished.”

 Video: Ministers Ntshavheni and Mchunu answer oral questions in the NCOP