How has history shaped the South African intelligence services? This chapter evaluates the governance of the South African intelligence services over the past century and reflects on the interests that have been served. It finds that while the gains of the post-apartheid period have been significant, there is still room for much improvement in performance and accountability. Public vigilance and policy rigour are needed to ensure that accountability becomes entrenched.
During the colonial period and apartheid, the role of intelligence was to protect white minority interests. An opening of the political space in the 1990s saw the intelligence agencies of the apartheid system and the liberation movements converging in the interests of a national agenda. The relationship between these two former opponents survived a complex amalgamation. Since 1994, the intelligence services have undergone significant changes, but have also been constrained by the contradictions of the post-conflict situation.
In 1969 the first national strategic intelligence service of the apartheid government was established. From 1969-1990, the National Intelligence Services (NIS), military intelligence and the security branch coalesced, despite rivalry between agencies, to ensure the maintenance of apartheid.
- The period 1990-1994 saw the lifting of restrictions on political organisations. Transitional forms of security sector control emerged. Discussions began about the future of all security services (police, defence and intelligence) including the security components of the liberation movement.
- Since 1994, post-apartheid intelligence services attempted to execute a new role within a new constitutional and political dispensation. The services became more racially representative of the country’s population through a process of affirmative action. Many intelligence officers of the apartheid government took up voluntary severance packages.
- The 1996 Constitution spelled out principles of transparency and accountability for the intelligence services and stipulated oversight by multiparty parliamentary committees. Perceptions of the services’ legitimacy and credibility improved, but two scandals fuelled tensions in the security sector and generated political conflict.
- From 2004, rising unemployment, a steep increase in illegal immigration and protests against inadequate services for the poor have contributed to growing instability. These issues in addition to electoral violence and corruption have been the key areas that the National Intelligence Agency has sought to address. The intelligence services have expanded, with an increased budget and more personnel.
The question today is whether the intelligence oversight institutions of the post-apartheid era and the constitutional framework under which the services operate are adequate. Are they effective, resilient and resistant to abuse and do they add value in facing South Africa’s many security challenges? The intelligence services remain very close to the seat of political power, making possible the potential abuse of intelligence for political purposes. The intelligence services should be better insulated from political interference. A more rigorous system of checks and balances is needed.
- Political and public complacency could erode the gains made in establishing an accountable and restrained intelligence system. There must be a renewed agenda of intelligence reform and vigorous public interest in the affairs of these institutions.
- Intelligence financial statements and accounting practices require improvement.
- Other challenges include balancing operational and personnel costs, continually right-sizing, and ensuring the availability of appropriate skills.
