Government dismisses misleading perception created
26 August 2014
Government has noted with concern a mischievous report published in the Sunday Times that insinuated the State Security Agency has become an employment agency for the children of Ministers and other high-profile officials due to political nepotism. Government views this report as speculative, subjective, and creates an impression that children of ministers and other officials should be exempt from pursuing a career in the public service.
Acting GCIS CEO, Phumla Williams, said "It is unfair to suggest that the appointments of these children was based on their relations and others, like them, also often fall prey to unfair discrimination by virtue of their relationships with political principals. It was quite misleading for the newspaper to report on few children, compared to the size of the enrolment at the academy. All citizens have the constitutional right to apply for any employment, as long as they meet the requirements - even if it is within the public service."
The Constitution states that all South Africans are equally entitled to the rights, privileges and benefits of citizenship, and this includes employment irrespective of race, age or gender. It also requires that the public administration is broadly representative of the South African people, with employment and personnel management practices based on ability, objectivity and fairness.
The intelligence academy has a stringent and rigorous recruitment and screening processes that are in place in order to fulfill its mandate of producing quality intelligence training to the members of the intelligence community. It has a challenging role of producing intelligence officers who not only understand South Africa's national security paradigm, but can also carry out their duties within the values and ethical principles. The academy forms part of the department's drive towards two outcomes of government - which include ensuring that all people in South Africa are and feel safe; as well as creating better South Africa and contribute to a better and safer Africa in a better world.