Ntshavheni: SSA shake-up will boost intelligence work
Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni has assured Parliament that restructuring the State Security Agency (SSA) will not lead to its collapse, but will strengthen intelligence operations.
She appeared before the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on Tuesday to answer questions as part of the peace and security cluster.
Ntshavheni outlined the sweeping reforms currently underway at the SSA, including a full skills audit, new training programmes, and plans to split the agency into two separate departments.
She addressed concerns from NCOP delegates, making it clear that these changes are designed to improve oversight and performance, not weaken the institution.
"The supporting training programme is currently being developed, even as the most critical parts of the programme have already begun implementation,” said Ntshavheni.
"Alongside this, we are redesigning the organisational structure and reorganising operations to ensure optimal efficiency.”
The changes follow recommendations from the Zondo Commission and a High-Level Review Panel, which found serious flaws in the SSA’s operations, including politicisation and blurred mandates.
"We are redefining the agency’s mandate, improving personnel management, and modernising intelligence capabilities,” the minister told MPs.
"With the General Intelligence Laws Amendment Act now signed into law, the agency is finalising regulations to support the full implementation of the reforms.
"These include new rules around internal oversight and coordination with entities such as the Office of Interception Centres.
"These regulations will be shared with the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence following internal consultations,” she said.
She also confirmed that a disciplinary panel is being established to investigate misconduct flagged in the Zondo Commission and other official probes.
Staff Restructuring, Not a purge
To manage the transformation, a change management officer has been appointed. Ntshavheni promised that the agency would take care to avoid any perception of political targeting.
"We’ve implemented a reconfiguration of the agency, including management swaps, to avoid any perception of a purge,” she said.
"Additionally, our alternative deployment mechanism ensures staff members understand they’re not being discarded, but rather repositioned for better use.”
She said the restructuring has already improved internal cooperation, especially among intelligence officers below management level.
"We’ve received strong support from general intelligence officers, and we’re confident that the transformation will not lead to a collapse of the agency or its critical work,” she added.
Training, Realignment, and New Talent
The agency identified significant gaps in qualifications and expertise following a full skills audit.
Ntshavheni said those are now being addressed through a targeted training initiative and a renewed focus on younger recruits.
"A major focus of the new training initiative is to develop younger professionals, ensuring long-term reinvestment in skills, particularly in data science and analytics.
"The South African National Academy of Intelligence has been tasked with professionalising intelligence officers through accredited training and continuous development.
Staffing reforms are also prioritising employment equity and succession planning.
"We are actively working to appoint more women and young professionals into management roles,” she added.
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