13 October 2009

The IFP is extremely concerned about comments made by Hussein Solomon, an expert on Islamic militancy from the International Institute of Islamic Studies, that the South African intelligence services are "woefully inadequately prepared" for the potential threat of terrorism during the World Cup next year.

Solomon added that South Africa's intelligence services are extremely politicised and that they would rather spy on investigative journalists to discover their sources than to spy on potential terrorists.

"The IFP finds these comments alarming not only because the NIA is still spying on its so called enemies - political parties not aligned to the ruling party and journalist uncovering ruling party secrets - but because there has been evidence of a real, credible terrorist threat which is suspected to have led to the closure of the US government facilities last month and today," said Velaphi Ndlovu, the IFP's spokesperson on Police. 

What is even more perturbing is that the international policing agency, Interpol, has allegedly warned the South African intelligence services about a potential threat but it seems the South African government is not taking the advice or the threat seriously. 

"Whilst we have received reassurance from the SAPS that the 2010 FIFA World Cup will be a success from a security perspective, the IFP believes that government owes to public an explanation as to why Interpol's warning of a possible terrorist threat has seemingly been ignored?" said Ndlovu. 

Ndlovu added: "We also need assurance from that the State Security Agency (SSA) that it has the capacity and expertise to deal with a potential terrorism threat." 

The IFP will approach the portfolio committee on intelligence to request an urgent briefing by Moe Shaik, Head of the South African Secret Services (SASS), and Lizo Gibson Njenje, the new National Intelligence Agency (NIA) boss; on South Africa's readiness to avert a potential terrorism attack on home soil.