PRESS RELEASE.
NO EMBARGO
9 December 2023
INTELLIGENCE LAW – Al Jama-ah supports recommendations by Inspector-General of Intelligence for amendments to the Draft Bill:
Al Jama-ah Party says it fully supports the recommendations made by the Inspector-General of Intelligence (IGI) Imtiaz Fazel to amend security legislation to the General Intelligence Laws Amendment Bill.
The party’s leader and Member of Parliament Hon Ganief Hendricks who serves on the ad hoc committee came out in strong support of the IG when he complained that the legislation drafted by the State Security Agency (SSA) – over whom he is supposed to do oversight – wants to curb his powers and make his office a “lame duck.” It was revealed to the committee that the IG could not even appoint a cleaner for the office of the IGI. The recommended amendments were discussed in Parliament on Thursday, 7 December 2023.
However, the party rejects his position that there are sufficient safeguards to prevent torture of political opponents. “Non-compliance with Constitutional requirements for civilian oversight makes the bill offensive. We cannot have offensive legislation 30 years into our democracy,” says Hendricks. Should the amendments be passed, it will give effect to the Constitution to pave the way for civilian oversight of South Africa’s intelligence forces.
Al Jama-ah has raised its concerns that the Bill does not address torture prevention; it supports the IG’s recommendations to make the Bill compliant with the Constitution. Hendricks further raised concerns over the “Open Secrets” damning journalistic investigations into torture and assassination squads operating in both South Africa’s defence and police forces and in other security structures.
He expressed his shock to the committee that the IG was not given an opportunity to give input into the Bill and now has to beg the committee to consider his further amendments. “This is unheard of in drafting legislation,” Hendricks protested to the committee.
Al Jama-ah party will host its own public hearings to lobby support for the amendments. “I appeal to MPs who support the foundational principles of the liberation struggle not to dismiss the amendments as there is a danger that a government opposed to these principles will perpetuate apartheid, torture and violate the Constitution,” warns Hendricks.
For further media inquiries contact the National Spokesperson:
Adv. Shameemah Salie on Cell: 084 423 0476
For interviews contact:
Ms Sinazo Mtshengu on 078 512 3186