SA's intelligence agencies are a mess, Ronnie Kasrils warns
The former intelligence minister welcomes Cyril Ramaphosa’s high-level review panel to look into State Security Agency
SA’s intelligence agencies have degenerated into "an absolute mess" and have become a threat to the country’s security, former intelligence minister Ronnie Kasrils said. Late last week President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed former defence minister Charles Nqakula as his security adviser and also announced the formation of a high-level review panel to look into the workings of the State Security Agency (SSA). Kasrils said the agencies had degenerated into this mess under former president Jacob Zuma’s administration. "The intelligence service has essentially been used to serve narrow political interests. And that’s why it has gone down like a lead balloon and isn’t carrying out the functions that the Constitution provides: the functions of dealing with real threats to the country," Kasrils told Business Day on Monday. "So the state is weakening and security in the country is weakening and questions of espionage threats intensify. It’s just appalling, and I’m encouraged that the president...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.