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SA: David Mahlobo: Address by Mnister of State Security, at the Government Communication and Information System Auditorium, Pretoria (10/04/0215)

David Mahlobo
David Mahlobo

13th April 2015

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Programme Director, Ms Ayanda-Allie Paine,
The Deputy Minister of State Security, Ms Ellen Molekane,
The Director General-Ambassador Sonto Kudjoe,
The Inspector General of Intelligence - Adv. Faith Radebe,
The Acting Cabinet Spokesperson - Ms Phumla Williams,
Senior Managers of State Security Agency,
The Chief Director for the Cluster Supervision - Ms. Nikelwa Tengimfene,
Ladies and gentlemen.

On this day on the 10 April 1993, we were reeling with shock of the devastating news of the brutal and barbaric assassination of one of our finest leaders and revolutionaries Martin Thembisile Hani affectionately known as Cde. Chris.

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The country was on the brink of civil war but for the ultimate sacrifice Cde. Chris had to pay like many others for miracle transition to democracy.

The brutalities of the past "detentions without trial, disappearances of our people, deaths in detentions, hangings of those opposed to apartheid, imprisonment, exile, massacres, assassinations, forced removals, banishments, the Group Areas Act and many more laws that made the lives of black people unbearable" are testimonies that our freedom was never free.

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This year we are celebrating 60 years of the Freedom Charter- the people’s collective vision for our future. We hold this discussion at the backdrop of the Human Rights month and we are in the month of April where we are celebrating 21 years of freedom and democracy.

As a country and her people we are indeed on course in creating a truly united, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous society as envisioned in the Freedom Charter and our constitution. However we are the first to admit that more still needs to be done in the construction of this national democratic society.

Over the last few months we have witnessed incidents of major concern to the life of our South African society.

We cannot claim to be truly free when insidious and blatant racism still exist in our society; we cannot claim to be truly free when racism still rears its ugly head in our institutions of higher learning, in the media, in the private and public sectors, in the boardrooms and with the attacks on foreign nationals that we observed in some communities in recent weeks.

As South Africans, we should refuse to be part of the unnecessary attacks on innocent people, merely because they happen to be foreigners.

We know very well that it is incorrect to argue, as some among us do, that crime is committed mainly by non-South Africans. Even if we suspect or have evidence that some people are engaged in crime, we should work with the police so that these criminals are arrested.

This applies equally to South Africans and non-South Africans because a criminal is a criminal, irrespective of nationality, and should be made to face the full might of the law. If indeed some foreigners are involved in crime, we cannot mete out collective punishment to all foreigners because of the criminal deeds of the bad few individuals.

Our founding vision as eloquently stated in freedom charter “there shall be peace and friendship”.

It further says “South Africa shall be a fully independent state which respects the rights and sovereignty of all nations. South Africa shall strive to maintain world peace and settlement of all international disputes by negotiations –not war”.

We pride ourselves commitment to peace and human dignity in the far corners of the world but recognize that security of our people and yearning for a national democratic society we envisioned whose character is truly unite, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous.

We are a constitutional democracy and envy of the world. Our constitution clearly state that in its Preamble: “We, the people of South Africa, recognize the injustices of our past, honor those who suffered for justice and freedom in our land, Respect those who have worked to build and develop our country, and believe that South Africa belongs to all who live in it, united in our diversity.

In the founding provision of the Constitution it further state: “

Republic of South Africa is one sovereign democratic state founded on the following values:

a) Human dignity, the achievement of equality and the advancement of human rights and freedoms
b) Non-racialism and non-sexism
c) Supremacy of the constitution and the rule of law
d) Universal adult suffrage, a, national common voters roll, regular elections and multi-party system of democratic government to ensure accountability, responsiveness and openness”

Context

Today’s discussion is part of an effort to have an open dialogue between individuals responsible for state security and those involved in the advocacy for the more protection and promotion of human rights.

Many policy makers around the globe have largely viewed the promotion of human rights and the promotion of national security as inherent tensions.

Some they treat the two goals as mutual exclusive either you promote human rights at the expense of national security or protect national security while overlooking human rights.

During the past few years, the threat and reality of terrorism have grown exponentially and countries throughout the world are struggling to combat this problem of terrorism.

A series of concerns have emerged around the perceived trend towards using fears about security to justify eroding human rights and freedoms (civil liberties and depriving citizens of their fundamental human rights).

Finding a balance on how to effectively address security, while respecting human rights, constitute a key challenge of our times.

This dialogue should give a real and meaningful conversation for the enhancement of our freedom and democracy.

Our conversation has brought together more than 15 leading experts in our country including members of academia, public policy researchers, human rights advocacy groups, security experts, non-governmental organization and the media.

We should be candid and frank in our dialogue on the importance of protecting human rights whilst acknowledging that the two are interdependent and mutually reinforcing,

Our national democratic society is founded on the respect for the human rights, the rule of law, good governance, independent judiciary and independent media.

Our mandate

The State Security Agency mandate is to secure South Africa’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence, her people, critical infrastructure, assets and interests.

We need to look at the current security threats that require a deep understanding of the actors and tactics involved, obtained through in-depth and robust intelligence capability and multivariate analysis.

Our counter measures for those evolving threats must be effectively be established and updated on the basis of such intelligence analysis

Nations cannot secure their national sovereignty unless they assess the new emerging threats accordingly. Traditionally, national security has been defined in terms of the ability of any state to protect its interest from external threats.

These interests are broadly defined as territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of the nation. In the web of international relations the threat to security is not from one nation to another but also from other non -state sources of insecurity.

We need to expand the traditional notions of security to address the non – traditional threats and so develop a comprehensive approach to security.

Security paradigm does not address the rapidly growing non-traditional threats like the struggle for resources embedded in the pursuit of:

e) Energy
f) Security
g) Environmental degradation
h) Forced immigration
i) International Terrorism
j) Insurgency and ascendary of non-state actors in drug trafficking, proliferation of arms and ammunition, money laundering, financial crime and illicit economy.

In our security scenario we are seized with main questions from what, when, where and how? There are non-traditional security concerns we face as a country.

a. Our major challenge facing us is that of Energy Security hence our priority on energy mix. This essentially involves ensuring that we have an uninterrupted supply of energy to support economic and commercial activities necessary for sustained economic growth. This is as a result of imbalance between demand for energy and supply. Energy independence an important catalyst for our growth and investment has become the nation’s first and highest priority.

b. Illegal immigration has become a serious challenge for our country because of our vast and porous borders (land, air and maritime). We have plans like border management agency but the big number of immigration and regulatory difficulties. It continues to pose risks for Xenophobia and other crimes.

c. Peace and stability. Our capacity to respond to immediate crisis, funding of Africa’s solution to Africa’s problems. Let’s we not forget the issues of transformation of the multinational institutions like United Nations Security Council and collaboration with African Union Peace and Security Council. Emergence of foreign militia, the temptations of constitutional changes with respect to term limits.

d. International Terrorism- globalization has resulted in softening of borders but unfortunately enabled main security problems to attain dangerous dimensions. International terrorism has moved to centre stage in the security discourse.

e. Transnational crime network- small arms, drug trafficking and money laundering.

f. ICT and Cyber Security- cyberspace comes with new types of challenges to many governments. This introduces dimension to National Security- it borderless platform that enable more sophisticated threats such as cybercrime, cyber terrorism, cyber warfare and cyber espionage. Our response is well captured through our National Cyber Security Policy.

g. Economic and trade relations- imbalance on trade and economic issues. Resources issues are gaining prominence on the global agenda as economic growth and social pressures impact on many of our resources like food, water and energy. We are still faced by the triple challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequality but the NDP sets clear vision on how to deal with issues.

h. Access to resources is likely to continue the economic conflicts if not skilful managed.

i. Food insecurity- AU has declared 2014 the “Year of Agriculture and Food Security in Africa”. This places human security by encouraging countries to take active steps to increase food security, reduce poverty, promote economic growth and create wealth through agricultural development and innovation. It is estimated that by 2025 the demand will have increased by 50% due to increase world population and climate change.

j. Water Security-huge pressure and demand in water resources and it has been part of conflicts in many parts of the world. Integrated water systems and collaboration will avert a human tragedy. In our won continent the Nile River Basin impact on Sudan and Egypt. Water is an important catalyst for socio-economic growth.

k. Environment- environment degradation, climate change and mitigation measures, poaching. Economic importance in areas of tourism and health.

We need to find a balance and checks to government’s use of excessively harsh measures towards citizens in the name of national security.

In South Africa, the checks and balances have been developed after the dawn of democracy. These checks and balances are necessary to ensure government act in the best interest of both the state and society.

Conclusion

There is a need to appreciate the complex issue of secrecy in time of heightened danger; transparency will be promoted where possible without compromising the operations.

This approach will encourage the rule of law, a necessity for building and maintain cohesive society in which citizens on the whole take full responsibility for the security of the state, citizens, infrastructure and freedoms.

Each is critical to ensure that the society is” free and safe”.

We are partners –our dialogue must start a journey for a public discourse that could serve to advance civic awareness and reshape public opinion.

Social consciousness can spark public mobilization for the protection of human rights and freedoms while national security is maintained.

Collaborative efforts amongst the cross section of our society can open dialogue and allow for the development of research on measures to protect both public security and national defence. Media outlets can encourage the development of an educated, informed public and combat misinformation.

Once more thanks for honouring our invitation.

Let festival of ideas flourish!

God bless Africa, her sons and daughters!

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