Hon Chairperson, hon Minister of State Security, Ministers and Deputy Ministers from the security cluster, hon members, members of the intelligence community, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. I also recognise in our presence the Director-General of State Security, Mr Maqetuka; Inspector-General of Intelligence, Adv Radebe and some of her staff; the Chief of Defence Intelligence, General Shilubane - congratulations, general, on your new appointment; Gen Mdluli, Head of Crime Intelligence, and all the heads of department of the State Security Agency and heads of other intelligence entities.
Allow me upfront to place on record that the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence, JSCI, is satisfied with and deeply appreciative of the level of co-operation that we are receiving from the Ministry and the newly- established State Security Agency in fulfilling our oversight mandate. Defence intelligence and crime intelligence have equally co-operated with the committee in a responsible and professional manner. The committee therefore has expectations that this level of co-operation will continue in future.
There are many people present in the House today, good people, who work silently and dutifully out of the public eye. They play a major role in protecting the people of this country - men and women who work in the intelligence community almost never get credit for the work they do. We consider it necessary to acknowledge their contribution to ensuring that our country is protected against the enemies of our state.
With due respect, allow me to inform the House and those who are not familiar with our constitutional imperative regarding the national security of our state that section 198 of our Constitution provides that the national security is subject to the authority of Parliament and the national executive. It further provides that national security must reflect the resolve of South Africans as individuals and as a nation to live as equals, to live in peace and harmony, to be free from fear and want and to seek a better live.
National security is at the centre of our Constitution, and it is Parliament and the executive that has the constitutional obligation to act as a custodian of the people when it comes to national security.
Historically, many of mankind's conflicts have resulted from the undermining of the national security and national interest of a particular country or region. Many of these conflicts have led to holocausts that, on reflection, should warn us that this is a matter we should all take seriously.
The United States Holocaust Encyclopedia, dated April 2010, records that the estimated death toll worldwide at the end of the Second World War was in the region of 55 million people and concludes, "It was the largest and most destructive conflict in history".
We have on our continent of Africa witnessed perpetual conflict, which has not only destabilised the continent, but also affected the national security of our country. It is not necessary to mention or identify the countries or regions of conflict. However, what we do know is that hundreds of thousand of people have died and millions have become displaced as a consequence of these conflicts.
Our people rely heavily on the contribution of the State Security Agency and the other intelligence entities, and the defence and crime intelligence, in securing our people and the national interest of the country. They must protect our people in relation to national security, but, with respect, the Constitution in relation to national security demands more. As I have already mentioned, national security must reflect the problems South Africans are facing. There is therefore a need for public participation in considering the narrower and broader principle encapsulated in the concept as set out in our Constitution. We hear what the hon Minister has promised now on the matter.
The idea of public participation is an active one. It must involve the public so that they become part of the process and feel that they own it and play the part of true patriots. A patriot is a person who is a proud supporter or defender of his or her country and its way of life, a loyalist and a national flag waver.
As we approach the 2010 Fifa World Cup, we have this rare opportunity to call on our nation and people to show the world that we South Africans are truly proud and truly patriots, notwithstanding the diversity. Whilst opposition and criticism fortify democracy and so acts as a safeguard against the abuse of state power, we must be mindful that this is our country.
Whatever surprises Bafana Bafana may have arranged for the nation regarding their forthcoming performances in the World Cup, as South Africans, regardless of colour, race or creed, we must unite as a nation, as true patriots. And as the nation unites, hon Minister, you and all the other intelligence entities, constituted in terms of the Constitution to protect our country, need to co-ordinate your efforts so that we as a nation can truly provide a successful World Cup.
Section 210 of the Constitution provides for the proper effective co- ordination of all intelligence services. This co-ordination is critical to the work of our intelligence entities. It is in fact only through proper co- ordination of all our intelligence services that we can be assured that our national security and national interests have been carefully considered. A lack of proper co-ordination, inter alia, can lead to duplication of intelligence operations but, more seriously, to intelligence failures because information and intelligence products are not shared amongst interested entities.
Hon Minister, you know that early warning systems are key to effective co- ordination. The JSCI understands that that is the work of the National Intelligence Co-ordinating Committee, Nicoc, which has the mandate to provide the co-ordination. However, hon Minister, in your restructuring schedule the committee did not get a clear picture as to how the new State Security Agency will co-ordinate and co-operate with the other intelligence services.
On the question of restructuring, the hon Minister informed the House a year ago of the progressive move to restructure our civilian intelligence entities in order to create the new State Security Agency. Many experienced intelligence people have been brought on board and appointed to key positions in order to strengthen capacity. The JSCI supports the move, but expects that the process of restructuring will now be accelerated. Hon Minister, the restructuring process must reach finality, since it has affected the oversight work of the committee.
However, before I leave the topic of restructuring, hon Minister, we as the JSCI are yet to hear you in detail on the question of gender equality, especially in the top management positions. We now have our first female Inspector-General for Intelligence. The committee would like to see government's promise to implement gender equality filter down faster to your department.
The re-introduction of the Protection of Information Bill has been welcomed by the JSCI. We do expect that the ad hoc committee dealing with the matter will process the Bill responsibly and expeditiously. However, the Bill, once implemented, will create certain challenges, particularly in relation to a proper and effective vetting strategy. The JSCI therefore expects that the State Security Agency will increase its capacity in this area in order to accommodate the expected demand for the vetting of personnel.
I must mention Comsec, the Electronic Communications Security (Pty) Ltd, and I hope I have not spoilt your day, Minister. It has such an important mandate in the protection of this country's national interest and security. Yet, hon Minister, the delivery has not been up to standard. The JSCI is concerned and we trust that in the restructuring process careful consideration will be given to the problems at Comsec.
I wish to conclude by quoting one of the famous poets of our time, Wilfred Owen, who wrote and died during the First World War:
It is sweet and right to die for the homeland, but it is sweeter to live for the homeland, and the sweetest to drink for it. Therefore, let us drink to the health of the homeland.
Allow me to thank the hon Minister, staff, and people in the intelligence community for the co-operation that we as the JCSI receive. The JSCI supports the Budget Vote.