Text of answers by Minister of State Security, David Mahlobo, to two questions on the signal jamming incident at the State of the Nation Address on February 12 2015:
I
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Question No.42
For Oral Reply
Mr D J Stubbe (DA) to ask the Minister of State Security:
Why did the jamming device, which was present in the National Assembly Chamber on 12 February 2015, only operate to block signals active inside the chamber and not outside the chamber?
NO447E
Reply:
1. As The State Security Agency (SSA) was responsible for the threat and risk assessment and supporting the SANDF efforts to enforce the airspace security. The airspace security plan was also properly approved to supply security measures against low speed, low energy threats as well as the drones with minimal disruption to commercial aviation and related aspects.
2. The NATJOINTS Media Statement of the 11 February 2015 clearly indicated that "currently there is no fly zone over parliament and the areas surrounding it and this restriction will apply on the day of the event". "All aircrafts, aerodrones and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVS) will not be allowed in this restricted airspace."
Given that the drones are using the GSM based technology similar to that of mobile phones communication. The use of technical devices is also meant to neutralise explosive devices which can be activated by the use of radio signal, which operates within a radio frequency spectrum.
II
National Assembly
Question 41:
For Oral Reply
Mr D J Stubbe (DA) to ask the Minister of State Security:
(1) With reference to his media release on 18 February 2015, and in light of the fact that it has never been necessary since the Stat of the Nation Address of the First Parliament under the democratic dispensation in 1994 to block any signals in the National Assembly, (a) what gave rise to the decision that there would be a security risk and (b) in terms of what legislation was this undemocratic action taken;
(2) Was there any information regarding a possible terrorist attack in Parliament on the President of the Republic?
NW0446E
Reply:
(1) The security details and preparations are informed by the level of the security threat assessment. The SONA event was rated major based on intelligence reported prior to the event which was unprecedented. Furthermore, given the magnitude of the event and the fact that all spheres of government, the three arms of the State, international invited guests, two former Heads of State and the general public were present, maximum security had to be effected.
(2) As a matter of policy and practice, we do not disclose security assessments reports
Issued by Parliament, March 16 2015
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