The backlogs in security clearance by the State Security Agency is an issue regularly raised in Parliament.
CAPE TOWN - The persistent delays in state security vetting is dogging the very committee tasked with overseeing the country’s intelligence services.
On Thursday, the joint standing committee on intelligence revealed that it was struggling to hold meetings, because Members of Parliament appointed by their political parties were still waiting to be vetted.Members are required to take an oath vowing to keep mum about their discussions. The backlog in security clearance by the State Security Agency is an issue regularly raised in Parliament.On Wednesday, the police committee heard that not even the National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola had been cleared.
African National Congress chief whip Pemmy Majodina informed the programme committee that the delays impacted the joint committee of intelligence - which is supposed to comprise 12 MPs from both houses of Parliament.But Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula said she was well aware of the problem and concerned that only three members were currently on an oversight mission.
"I don’t know why there is a delay. It may be possible that the delay may not necessarily be with the president. It may be with the intelligence services."Democratic Alliance MP Natasha Mazzone - who was appointed by her party to the committee last August - is one of those still waiting to be vetted to officially join the committee.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Expensive cutlery, cellphones, tea bags and sheep: just some of the gifts MPs declared in 2022 | News24Parliamentarians are being spoilt with gifts and sponsorships. The 2022 register of MPs' interests reveals which MPs received the best gifts. | JasonFelix
Read more »
MPs praise Sars for R123bn increase in net revenue collectionSars commissioner Edward Kieswetter revealed the revenue collector saw a 7.8% increase compared with the 2021/22 financial year.
Read more »
Khoisan occupation in Grabouw no longer our problem, says forestry departmentMPs recommend settlement be managed by departments of public works and co-operative governance & traditional affairs
Read more »
Load shedding cost Sars up to R60bn in taxes, MPs toldThe South African Revenue Service (Sars) chief revenue officer, Johnstone Makhubu, said that consistent power cuts were costing billions.
Read more »
Public Works Dept must develop plan to resolve Hout Bay Harbour issues: MPsAfter noting several challenges at the site on Wednesday, MPs said they believed the department should work with the Fisheries Department to resuscitate a task team to ensure the facility developed.
Read more »
Climate: EU Parliament backs overhaul of Europe’s biggest climate policySTRASBOURG, France, April 18 (Reuters) - The European Parliament on Tuesday approved sweeping reforms to make EU climate change policies more ambitious, including an upgrade of the bloc's carbon market that is set to hike the cost of polluting in Europe.
Read more »