Question NW708 to the Minister of Police
01 April 2016 - NW708
Mbhele, Mr ZN to ask the Minister of Police
With reference to the intention of the SA Police Service (SAPS) to establish a counterintelligence unit under a divisional commander, which was recently announced by the Acting National Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Khomotso Phahlane, as part of the transformation of the SAPS, what (a) is the rationale for this, (b) will be the mandate of the specified unit and (c) are the estimated (i) cost implications and (ii) time frames in this regard?
Reply:
(a) The intention is to isolate intelligence products, noting the diverse intelligence projects of Crime Intelligence and the need to plan forward and respond promptly, and place management control under direct leadership of the National Commissioner.
(b) According to the National Strategic Intelligence Amendment Act, Act No 39 of 1994 as amended, Act No 11 of 2013, section 1(b) “Counter-Intelligence means measures and activities conducted, instituted or taken to impede and to neutralise the effectiveness of foreign or hostile intelligence operations, to protect intelligence and any classified information, to conduct (security screening), vetting investigations and counter (subversion, treason, sabotage and terrorism aimed at or against personnel, strategic installations or resources of the Republic) any threat or potential threat to national security”.
(c) Current financial expenditures within programme 4, Crime Intelligence will be allocated for the operationalization of this.
(i) Only personnel expenditure can be indicated at this stage as the establishment is an upgrade to Divisional level. Some or most of the posts will be filled by redeploying current skilled members to the new outfit.
(ii) Implementation will commence 1 April 2016.