Number of requests to electronically spy on individuals down, Parly told

CAPE TOWN - The judge for the interception of communication, Bess Nkabinde, said that the number of requests to spy on individuals through their phones and other electronic communication had declined. 

In a report to Parliament, it was revealed that outdated equipment was hampering the efforts of the Office for Interception, which conducts such surveillance at the request of law enforcement agencies.  

Nkabinde appealed for more independence for this office, which reports to the State Security Agency (SSA). 

Parliament's joint intelligence committee meets in secret and it’s only just released its annual report of its engagements with intelligence units and agencies over the last year. 

It revealed that between October 2022 and October 2023, 146 applications were received from police crime intelligence to intercept communication, mostly in Gauteng.

This is down from over 600 applications received by the centre in 2022. 

Nkabinde said that more than 80% of applications were related to threats against the national interest.

She’s suggested the Office for Interception centres report directly to Parliament. 

Nkabinde told the joint committee that outdated equipment also means the centre struggles to spy on WhatsApp communication and emails and is largely only able to capture SMS and voice calls.

Last week, Parliament passed the General Intelligence Laws Amendment Bill, which prescribes conditions for the bulk interception of communication. 

It's yet to be signed into law by the president.