10 March 2006

The News Editor

All Media / SAPA PR Wire

HANDOVER OF FINAL REPORT ON THE FINDINGS OF AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE LEGALITY OF THE SURVEILLANCE OPERATIONS CARRIED OUT BY THE NIA ON SAKI MACOZOMA AND THE AUTHENTICITY OF THE ALLEGEDLY INTERCEPTED E-MAILS

The Minister for Intelligence Services, Ronnie Kasrils (MP) today was handed the Inspector General for Intelligence’s (IG) final report on the extended inquiry into the authenticity of the alleged intercepted e-mails.

The Inspector General’s inquiry was first initiated on 20 September 2005 after a complaint received from Mr Saki Macozoma.

A report on the inquiry was handed to Minister Kasrils on 14 October 2005, leading to the suspension of senior NIA officials and an announcement on 20 October 2005 that the terms of reference for the inquiry had been extended to include the authenticity of the alleged intercepted e-mails.

The final report received today completes the IG’s inquiry into the legality of the surveillance operations carried out by the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) on Mr Saki Macozoma. 

Minister Kasrils will study the report and, together with the Inspector General, hand over the final report to President Thabo Mbeki during early next week when the President returns from abroad.

Further progress on the voluminous report, which contains findings and recommendations, are expected to be announced by the end of the month.

Minister Kasrils expressed his profound appreciation to the Inspector General and his task team, comprising Chief Operating Officer Imtiaz Fazel and Advocate Jay Govender for their meticulous and extensive work, which has been submitted close to deadline.

The Minister emphasized the importance of oversight over intelligence in a democracy and said that the independent role and integrity of the Inspector General is to be greatly valued.  The Minister also believes that the completion of the inquiry will greatly assist the Intelligence Services, and more particularly NIA, in overcoming the setbacks they have encountered. The Minister expects the outcomes to strengthen professionalism throughout the Services.

Issued by Lorna Daniels, spokesperson for the Minister for Intelligence Services.

Contact details:  0824183389