The National Intelligence Agency (NIA) did not gather information about the Democratic Alliance, Minister of Intelligence Ronnie Kasrils said in a statement on Thursday.
Kasrils said many concerns have been raised following the report of the inspector general of intelligence into certain unauthorised activities by the NIA.
”One such issue relates to the revelation that a limited number of telephone numbers were unlawfully targeted for interception on the orders of a high-ranking NIA official. Among these were the telephone numbers of members of Parliament and the public, and numbers belonging to a political party.
According to recent media reports, the DA’s parliamentary offices were among 13 institutions and individuals whose telephone calls were intercepted. Others named include businessman Cyril Ramaphosa, African National Congress chief whip Mbulelo Goniwe and ANC spokesperson Smuts Ngonyama.
”However, as far as has been ascertained [at present], conversations relating to only a few of these numbers were actually intercepted.
”Since I have received specific correspondence from the DA requesting the return of information that might have been gathered in this way about their party, I can give the assurance that none of the information intercepted relates to the DA,” Kasrils stated.
He also said the method of interception did not involve the planting of listening or recording devices in homes, offices or on parliamentary premises.
”The inspector general’s report, and decisive action taken at presidential and ministerial level, are a clear indication that the government will not tolerate illegal conduct, the misuse of state resources and the abuse of power.
”These unacceptable manifestations are a breach of our Constitution, laws and public trust. Measures have been taken, aimed at preventing such lapses in future, and apart from criminal prosecutions that may arise, a review is under way to reconsider policies and strengthen regulations and operating procedures,” Kasrils added. — I-Net Bridge and Sapa