APA-Johannesburg (South Africa) South African experts are up in arms over Police Minister Bheki Cele’s request to Parliament to allow the police to intercept communication and to purchase surveillance equipment as part of the services’ efforts to combat serious crime in the country, APA learnt on Tuesday.
Cele’s request to Parliament was bolstered by a letter from Justice Minister Ronald Lamola detailing the certificate of exemption to Section 46 of the Regulation of Interception of Communications and Provision of Communication-Related Information (Rica) Act, and a positive report by the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services to support the request.
Cele said this request, which has been submitted to the National Assembly for approval, would be in the public interest and was necessary to investigate, combat and prevent serious crimes.
If approved by the National Assembly, the certificate of exemption under Rica would be valid for five years.
Experts who raised concerns point to the report by a 10-person review panel that found widespread abuse of the intelligence services and that they were being used to fight the ruling African National Congress’ factional battles.
KwaZulu Natal violence monitor Mary de Haas said the police was already conducting illegal surveillance and there were concerns that the country “was going down the police-state road.”
“It is a concern that police want greater surveillance powers ahead of next year’s national elections. That is why legislation needs to be passed for greater civilian oversight,” Haas said.
Political analyst Bheki Mngomezulu said it was a cause for concern as intelligence services were already in existence and they were responsible for internal and external intelligence.
“They have their own process and the police minister can make use of their services. Police should not be able to check people’s phones willy-nilly,” Mngomezulu said.
NM/jn/APA