Question NW1020 to the Minister in the Presidency
31 March 2022 - NW1020
Luthuli, Mr BN to ask the Minister in the Presidency
Given where the world is in terms of technological advancement, what is the role of the State Security Agency in assisting to combat (a) organised crime syndicates, (b) racketeering and (c) gangsterism in the (i) Republic as a whole and (ii) major cities?
Reply:
(a)(b)(c)(i)(ii)
The mandate of State Security Agency is to provide intelligence to government on domestic and foreign threats or potential threats to national security across the country as a whole that includes major cities. Hence, the SSA directed by various legislative prescripts plays a supportive role to law enforcement agencies through the provision of intelligence on the threat posed by organised crime syndicates, racketeering and gangsterism to the country’s national security with emphasis on the following:
- The nature and extent to which organised crime syndicates and gangs threaten the state’s economy, human welfare and sovereignty.
- The nature and extent to which organised crime syndicates and gangs contribute to the manifestation of corruption.
- The nature and extent of relationships between gangs and organised crime syndicates.
- The efficacy and functionality of the state’s anti-gang policies and interventions.
The SSA, in partnership with various law enforcement agents and stakeholders (both public and private) makes use of technologies to counter the extent to which organised crime undermines good governance, sabotages the State’s economy and threatens the welfare of communities and sovereignty.
Technologies include those prescribed by the Regulation of Interception of Communications and Provision of Communication-related Information Act (RICA) 70 of 2002, the Financial Intelligence Centre Act (FICA) 38 of 2001, and security monitoring systems installed throughout the country, including in major cities.