Pretoria - The Ministry of State Security says there is nothing untoward about the decision to redeploy three of its officials to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.
The Ministry said it had noted Friday’s media reports by the Mail and Guardian claiming a “purge of senior intelligence officials”. The newspaper alleged that the redeployment of the officials was an example of political meddling in State Security Agencies.
In a statement the ministry said the article was “speculation of the highest order”.
“The fact of the matter is that any government in the world deploys its people in line with its mandate and the pursuit of its national interest. The South African government is no different.
“The decision to redeploy the three officials is a collective government decision and there is nothing untoward,” it explained.
According to the ministry, the deployment of senior intelligence officers and senior public servants to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation is standard practice which is done in compliance with public service laws.
“Contrary to speculation by faceless sources, it has been done with the full cooperation of the people concerned,” said the ministry.
It added that the State Security Agency had within its ranks other appropriately skilled, qualified and experienced intelligence officials who will assume the responsibilities of the outgoing officials, in an acting capacity until the positions are filled.
As a result, said the ministry, there should be no concern about the ability of the agency to fulfil its constitutional mandate.
“The President [Jacob Zuma] is on record as saying that those who get deployed as ambassadors are people with a special skill, members of our society who will hold our flag high amongst the nations of the world. The more skilled and experienced, the better for our country and our national interest,” said the ministry. – SAnews.gov.za
