Civil society joint statement on the General Intelligence Laws Amendment Bill
Intelwatch and the Campaign for Free Expression call on civil society organisations to endorse the joint statement on the General Intelligence Laws Amendment Bill (GILAB).
Accountability & Civic Space
Op-ed | New ‘spy bill’: Will businesses be next to face state security vetting?
This piece by Heidi Swart was first published by News24. An amended version of the so-called ‘spy bill’ – which previously sparked an outcry over fears that NGOs and churches could face a security crackdown – comes no closer to adequately addressing the concerns raised by the Financial Action Task Force when SA was greylisted. […]
Briefing note: General Intelligence Laws Amendment Bill (GILAB)
Note: This fact sheet has been updated to reflect changes in a new version of the Bill introduced on 17 November 2023. Introduction The General Intelligence Laws Amendment Bill (GILAB) is a new bill amending the powers and mandate of South Africa’s state intelligence services. The draft Bill was approved by Cabinet in May this […]
Op-ed | Terrorism financing: The perfect ruse for a state security clampdown on NGOs and churches
This piece was first published by Daily Maverick. Registered non-profits (including churches) must now annually submit additional information to the Department of Social Development (the exact nature of which will be determined in consultation with the Financial Intelligence Centre and the minister of finance) about their office bearers, control structures, management and operations. he State […]
Op-ed | The two surveillance bills before Parliament that should give every South African pause for thought
This piece was first published by Daily Maverick. If the two pieces of legislation currently before Parliament are passed into law as they now stand, the government will be able to monitor en masse the communications of every South African, behind a veil of secrecy in the name of ‘national security’. By May 2024, two […]
GILAB Invite 2023
Dear colleague If you haven’t seen the new General Intelligence Laws Amendment Bill (GILAB), then you need to. It contains elements that will be of concern to non-governmental organisations and civil society bodies. I attach a summary briefing document and a more detailed information sheet dealing with the concerns sparked by the Bill’s content. It […]
Op-ed | Ramaphosa’s proposed State Security vetting of NGOs an onslaught on SA’s future
This piece was first published by Daily Maverick. Dragging the NGO sector into the sphere of national security strongly echoes the authoritarian orientation seen in Russia and China. on-governmental organisations play a pivotal role in promoting democracy and human rights in South Africa and have routinely stepped in where government has failed. Now, the General […]
GILAB: New Intelligence Bill a blueprint for State Capture 3.0
The General Intelligence Laws Amendment Bill, coming on the heels of the Zondo Commission, was an opportunity for SA’s top executive to show they were serious about intelligence reform. Instead, it paves the way for State Capture 3.0. Want to start a “non-governmental organisation”, “religious institution” or “private security company”? You may need security clearance […]
Webinar: Covert funds and public money one year after Zondo
Following the joint publication with MPDP of new research on necessary reforms to the oversight and governance of covert funds in South Africa following the Zondo Commission, Intelwatch participated in a webinar with the report’s author, Vicky Heideman, to unpack her findings. Senior Daily Maverick journalist Rebecca Davis hosted a discussion with panellists Vicky Heideman, […]
Report: Secret funding and the State Security Agency
This report examines the need for legal reforms to introduce financial oversight and accountability for South Africa’s State Security Agency.