Ramaphosa Signs Landmark Intelligence Laws Amid Controversy Over Privacy Concerns

President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed the General Intelligence Laws Amendment Bill into law, marking a significant step in reforming South Africa’s intelligence services. The new law aims to enhance oversight, streamline operations, and provide greater accountability for intelligence activities.

This legislation amends several key intelligence laws, including the National Strategic Intelligence Act (1994), the Intelligence Services Act (2002), and the Intelligence Services Oversight Act (1994). It introduces a major structural change by disestablishing the current State Security Agency (SSA) and replacing it with two separate entities: the Foreign Intelligence Service (FIS) and the Domestic Intelligence Agency (DIA). The FIS will focus on foreign intelligence gathering, while the DIA will handle counter-intelligence and domestic intelligence collection.

One of the key provisions of the amendment is the establishment of improved oversight mechanisms, ensuring both departments are subject to stronger accountability. The bill also re-establishes the South African National Academy of Intelligence (SANAI) and the Intelligence Training Institute, enhancing the training capacities for both domestic and foreign intelligence operations.

The changes implement the recommendations of the 2018 Presidential High-Level Review Panel on the SSA, as well as the Zondo Commission (the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture, Corruption, and Fraud in the Public Sector). The law addresses concerns about the bulk interception of internet traffic and introduces new authorisation processes and court reviews to protect citizens’ privacy.

However, the new laws have faced opposition from civil society groups, who argue that they grant the government excessive powers to surveil citizens under the guise of national security. There are concerns about the vague definitions of powers, potentially allowing invasive surveillance of individuals. Despite the controversies, many see the reforms as a necessary step towards modernising and improving South Africa’s intelligence sector.

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Sourced:Business Tech