DA requests urgent POA briefing on Parly spooks

Media reports this morning of further State Security Agency (SSA) parliamentary interference at the current Secretary to Parliament, Gengezi Mgidlana’s request is of grave concern and requires drastic intervention.

I will write to the Speaker of Parliamentary, Baleka Mbete, and request an urgent meeting of the Parliamentary Oversight Authority and a full briefing on this matter.

A former Deputy Director General in the Presidency and known securocrat, Mgidlana’s deployment to Parliament has been characterised by an increase in security, oppressive rules, political interference and paranoia across the precinct.

According to this morning’s reports, the SSA accused certain Non-Government Organisations and members of Parliament’s press gallery of being foreign operatives. Further, that SSA agents had taken up residence on Parliament’s residence and may establish an in-house press review panel.

This is simply unacceptable and a gross violation of the separation of powers between Parliament and the Executive, and the very democratic tenets of our Constitution. 

Earlier this year the SSA deployed a signal-jamming device in the National Assembly chamber during the State of the Nation Address and just last week reports surfaced that the SSA has been vetting, questioning and intimidating Parliament staff members in an attempt to plug perceived information leaks .

The SSA’s spectres have clearly crept onto Parliament’s precinct, and must be exorcised as matter of urgency. 

Issued by Mike Waters, DA Deputy Chief Whip, 18 October 2015