/ 3 March 1999

MANDELA TO DECIDE ON NIA INQUIRY

PRESIDENT Nelson Mandela has yet to decide whether to appoint a commission of inquiry into the National Intelligence Agency’s alleged involvement in urban terrorism, the president’s office said on Tuesday. It was reacting to a statement by Democratic Party leader Tony Leon, expressing dismay at what he said was Mandela’s decision to have Deputy Intelligence Services Minister Joe Nhlanhla investigate the alleged involvement of his own agency. However, presidential spokesman Parks Mankahlana said Nhlanhla and Parliament’s intelligence committee is looking into the matter so as to advise Mandela, who will then make a decision on whether a judicial inquiry is necessary.