In response to (a): The resignation of this person before the end of his contract on 30 September 2012 is not linked to any political interference.
This person was appointed in terms of the Public Service Act, 1994, and his conditions of termination of service are guided and regulated in line with Chapter 8 of the Senior Management Service Handbook on Employment of Heads of Departments.
I am in consultation with the Minister for the Public Service and Administration to ensure that the financial settlement is in line with the prescribed guidelines.
The departure of this person is not seen as a waste of much-needed rare skills. Whilst heading the Domestic Branch of the State Security Agency, he was responsible for providing leadership and strategic direction to the Branch under the supervision of the Director-General: State Security Agency.
Whilst his departure leaves a vacancy in the hierarchy of the State Security Agency's senior management, this will not have a negative impact on peace and security or service delivery of the agency since operational plans for the Domestic Branch are in place and line function management and operatives will continue to implement these.
In response to (b): The continuous rumours regarding the likely similar departure of the two other persons are just that: rumours. It would be appreciated if political parties abstain from making unconfirmed statements as these might have a negative impact on the morale of management and members within the State Security Agency. We maintain that, because of some contractual confidences, we will not engage our employees through public platforms, but will rather use internal processes as provided for by the regulations.
We would like to seek guidance on how the current Parliament would like to deal with questions that may have an impact on national security. In about 2001, former President Mbeki raised similar concerns in this House. The approach adopted then was to answer such questions in full in the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence, that had the responsibility to inform the relevant members of Parliament, if they were satisfied with the response, or of any additional measures they were undertaking. This has been the convention followed, pending the final formal response by this Parliament.
This is further compounded by the fact that, while the initial question may appear normal, the devil usually lies in the details of follow-up questions. I thank you, Mr Speaker. [Applause.]