Issued by: Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence
ALLEGATIONS OF INTERCEPTIONS OF TELEPHONIC AND FAX COMMUNICATIONS BY THE SECURITY AND INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN GOVERNMENT.
In response to the public interest and concern about intelligence facilities referred to in the media ("S A SPies tapping thousands of calls", The Star 21.02.1996, "Govt bugging exposed" Cape Times, 21.02.199Agencies exploit electronic advances to spy on citizens" The Star, 21.02.1996), the Parliamentary joint Standing Cmmittee on Intelligence wishes to assure the public:
- That the facility was visited and inspected by the Committee, during which time the of the facility was explained;
- That the Committee was satisfied that the facility operated within the dictates of the Constitution as well as all legislation protecting the rights of the citizens of South Africa;
- That no member of the Committee has raised any objection to the contrary; and
- That the Committee has taken note of the concerns regarding the capabilities of the facility, and undertakes to monitor the facility's, compliance with legislation on an ongoing basis.
Should any member of the public wish to bring to the Committee's attention any additional information in this regard, he or she is invited to do so without hesitation.
The Committee further wishes to emphasize that one of its primary duties, apart from monitoring the intelligence Service, is to receive and attend to complaints from the public on intelligence matters. The Committee therefore urges the public to explore this avenue when necessary.
Enquiries: P Nkala (021) 403-3491 R Fourie (021) 403-2319 A van Staden (012) 403-2347