Speaker, the IFP finds these comments by Hussein Solomon alarming, not only because of the National Intelligence Agency, NIA, still spying on the so-called "enemies" - political parties not aligned with the ruling party and journalists uncovering ruling party secrets - but because there has been evidence of a real, credible terrorist threat, which is suspected to have led to the closure of the United States of America's government facilities last month and this morning. What is even more perturbing is that the International Criminal Police Organisation, Interpol, has allegedly warned the SA Intelligence Service about the potential threat, but it seems that the South African government is not taking any advice or the threat seriously.
While we have received reassurance from the SAPS that the 2010 Fifa World Cup will be a success from a security perspective, the IFP believes that government owes the public answers as to why an Interpol warning of a possible terrorist threat has seemingly been ignored.
Furthermore, we need the assurance that the NIA and the newly established SA Secret Service, Sass, have the capacity and expertise to deal with a potential terrorist threat. The IFP will also approach the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence to request an urgent briefing by the new Director- General of NIA, Lizo Gibson Njenje, as well as the leader of the SA Secret Service, Mo Shaik, on South Africa's readiness to avert a potential terrorist attack on home soil. Thank you. Somlomo[Chairperson.].