Central Intelligence Organisation

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Revision as of 14:43, 4 February 2009

The Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) is the organization responsible for coordinating the actions and activities of all of South Africa's intelligence agencies and collating the intelligence information received from them. It reports directly to the Prime Minister's office, and also briefs the Governor-General weekly.

Members of each agency receive training at the South African National Academy of Intelligence in Mafeking, Transvaal. SANAI comprises an academic faculty, an intelligence research institute, and an education, training, and development support component.

The current Director-General, Gabriel Msowoya, was appointed on January 13, 2002.

Agencies

• National Intelligence Agency (NIA)
• South African Secret Service (SASS)
• National Communications Centre (NCC)
• Union Defence Force Intelligence Division (UDFID)
• Crime Intelligence Division (CID)

National Intelligence Agency

The National Intelligence Agency is responsible for domestic intelligence within South Africa. Organizationally and structurally, it is similar to the Security Service (MI5) of the United Kingdom. Its primary functions are counter-espionage, counter-terrorism, and counter-intelligence. It is currently headed by Commissioner Nicolaas Luyt.

South African Secret Service

The South African Secret Service is responsible for foreign intelligence. It is modelled on the United States Central Intelligence Agency, and many of the SASS's best and brightest reportedly receive training at CIA headquarters; neither South Africa nor the United States has confirmed or denied these reports. It is known, however, that SASS and the CIA regularly share and coordinate information pertinent to both countries' national security.

The SASS has nine operational sections, known as "regions," which are responsible for covering various areas of the world. They are:

• Region 1: Sub-Saharan Africa
• Region 2: North Africa and the Middle East
• Region 3: Central Asia and South Asia
• Region 4: The Soviet Union
• Region 5: The Far East
• Region 6: Southeast Asia and Oceania
• Region 7: Latin America
• Region 8: North America
• Region 9: Europe (excluding the Soviet Union)

Needless to say, SASS is extremely secretive about its operations, and thus few details reach the public. It is generally regarded as one of the most effective intelligence agencies in the world, though less so than its equivalents in the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union.

SASS also provides intelligence reports and various kinds of covert support for countries allied to South Africa.

SASS is currently headed by Commissioner Makgatho Makeba.

National Communications Centre

The National Communications Centre is responsible for bulk electronic surveillance and eavesdropping (otherwise known as SIGINT) of foreign communications. In this respect it serves a role similar to that of the United States National Security Agency.

Commissioner Archibald K.T. Nwako is the current head of the NCC.

Union Defence Force Intelligence Division

The Union Defence Force Intelligence Division's responsibility is military intelligence, as can be surmised by the name. It is responsible to, and reports directly to, the Minister of Defence and National Security. It is led by Commissioner Mathole Nyembezi.

Crime Intelligence Division

The Crime Intelligence Division, which reports directly to the South African Police (SAP), holds overall responsibility for coordinating information about crime and investigative procedures for the SAP. Its functions include: operational support; crime information analysis and management; counter-intelligence; and gathering intelligence on criminals. The CID is very similar, in both structure and purpose, to the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Commissioner Sishayi Mamba is the current director of the CID.