Issued by: Ministry for Intelligence Services
19 November 1999
I have received information regarding the discovery of a video camera at a house opposite the German Embassy on 17 November 1999. I am further aware of the allegations that this equipmet belonged to the National Intelligence Agency, an intelligence agency with a national counter-intelligence mandate in South Africa.
Since there are many aspects of this incident that are unclear, I have instituted an investigation into it and the investigation team will report to me as speedily as possible. I have instructed this investigation team which will be working closely with the South African Police Service to leave no stone unturned and to get to the bottom of this incident.
The results of the investigation will be tabled to the Inter-Ministerial Security Committee for deliberation and action as soon as they are received from the investigation team. I, and my government would view the incident in very serious light as the relationship between South Africa and the Federal Republic of Germany is very good. There also exist very good relations between our intelligence services.
Without prejudging the matter, I remain concerned with the ease with which people jump to the conclusion that the National Intelligence Agency is involved in illegal intelligence gathering activities. In a country where there is a myriad of private intelligence services, matters such as these need to be treated with great circumspection. Again, we are not prejudging this incidence.
The government of the Republic of South Africa through the Ministry for Intelligence Services remains committed to ensuring that the Intelligence Services operate within the Constitutional and legal framework of our new democracy. Should anyone be found to have acted outside the Constitutional and legal framework, the law will take its course.
Issued by the Ministry for Intelligence Services
Contact Persons. DT NKOSI 082 801 8410 or H SCHLENTHER 083 628
9852.