Question NO94(193) to the Minister of Police [Written question 193]:
05 March 2025 - NO94(193)
Schickerling, Ms LM to ask the Minister of Police [Written question 193]:
(1) With reference to his reply to question 1746 on 8 January 2025, (a) what was the (i) reason for declining each security clearance application, (ii) rank and (iii) name(s) of each high-ranking officer that had their security clearance declined, (b) for how long has each of the security clearance certificates been expired; (2) whether any of the holders of expired security clearance certificates still have access to information which requires such security clearance; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
(1)(a)(i)(ii)(iii) Five Major Generals and 10 Brigadiers had their security clearance declined. The security clearance applications were declined, for not meeting the outlined security clearance requirements, which required the officers to reapply.
(1)(b) The timeframe for each of the security clearance certificates that have expired range from 22 June 2021 to 04 December 2024.
2. The SAPS has various other measures in pertaining to the access to classified information. Section 70 of the SAPS Act criminalises the willful disclosure by a member of information in circumstances in which he or she knows, or could reasonably be expected to know, that such disclosure will or may prejudicially affect the exercise or the performance of the Service of the powers or the functions. Upon conviction, a court may impose a sentence of a fine or imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years. This applies to all members of the SAPS.
It should also be noted that an official SAPS form has been implemented which every member is required to complete and which must be filed in the personal file of every member to indicate that he or she is aware of the implications of a contravention of section 70.
The Minimum Information Security Standards furthermore allow that the head of the institution may still, after careful consideration and with full responsibility, use the person concerned in a post where he/she has access to classified matters if he/she is of the opinion that the use of the person is in the interest of his/her institution, on the understanding that a person satisfying the clearance requirements is not available.