Ntshavheni assures Parliament that State Security Agency won't collapse amid changes

JOHANNESBURG - Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, has assured Parliament that the State Security Agency (SSA) won’t collapse as it undergoes changes and a skills audit.

Ntshavheni said the reforms, which include undoing the current SSA and replacing it with two separate departments, was also on track as government prepares a massive overhaul of the country’s intelligence structures.

Ntshavheni was responding to questions in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) for the first time as part of the peace and security cluster.

The minister faced several questions from NCOP delegates on the State Security Agency and progress in implementing the recommendations of the high-level review panel report on the agency.

She also responded to concerns that the pending changes and the splitting of the agency into two could affect its capacity.

"We are very happy with the changes required as necessitated by the work of the Zondo Commission and high-level panel. So we’ve got great support from the general intelligence officers of the organisation and therefore there will not be a collapse of the environment or the work of the state security agency through the process of change."

She said a skills audit and training will ensure a steady supply of trained intelligence operatives, adding that the two new intelligence structures would start operating soon.