MEDIA RELEASE BY THE MINISTER OF STATE SECURITY, MR.

DAVID
MAHLOBO, MP, ON THE SIGNAL DISRUPTION IN PARLIAMENT ON THE
OCCASION OF THE STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS

18 FEBRUARY 2015

1. We wish to state that there was no executive or political decision to interfere

with the free flow of information and constitutional obligations on transparency
and openness during the State of the Address (SONA). The Minister
responsible for State Security was also taken aback.
2. The mandate of the Security Cluster for the State of the Nation Address is to
ensure the proper coordination of security planning of the event. This work is
done through an operational structure called the National Joint Operational
and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) as a standard protocol for any major
event in the Republic of South Africa. The NATJOINTS consist of Security
Cluster Departments (who are permanent members) and other relevant
Departments participate on an ad hoc basis depending on the nature of the
event.
3. The security details and preparations are informed by the level of the security
risk and threat assessment. The SONA event was rated major based on
intelligence reported prior to the event which was unprecedented.
Furthermore, given the magnitude of the event and the fact that all spheres of
government, the three arms of the State, international invited guests, two
former Heads of State and the general public were present, maximum security
had to be effected.
4. The State Security Agency (SSA) was responsible for the threat and risk
assessment and supporting the SANDF efforts to enforce the airspace
security.

The airspace security plan was also properly approved to supply

security measures against low speed, low energy threats as well as the
drones with minimal disruption to commercial aviation and related aspects.

5. Restricted Airspace around Parliament has been promulgated. An advisory

notice to airmen (NOTAM A0445/15 & NOTAM C0331/15) was promulgated
as well as temporary restricted airspace (AIRAC AIP Supplement S008/15).

6. The NATJOINTS Media Statement of the 11 February 2015 clearly indicated

that currently there is no fly zone over parliament and the areas surrounding
it and this restriction will apply on the day of the event.

All aircrafts,

aerodrones and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVS) will not be allowed in this
restricted airspace.

7. This airspace security plan was executed with precision especially when the
Deputy President and President were in transit until the time of taking of
salute at the doorsteps of the parliament, estimated between 18:35-19:00.
However the application of this counter threat measure was prolonged beyond
the normal operational requirements.

8. The signal disruption was caused by an operational error by the member on

duty. The operator failed to properly terminate the device and this impacted
on proper access to some users of mobile phones. A departmental
investigation is currently underway with a possibility of disciplinary action for
those responsible for this operational failure.

9. The Department of State Security regrets the unintentional disruption of signal

in certain parts of the parliamentary chambers.

10. It is within the mandate of the SSA to deploy these measures at various major
events, rallies, occasions and events where the President who is the Head of
State and Government including the Deputy President are in attendance and
where threats and risk assessments justify such measures.

11. The deployment of these counter intelligence measures where the Head of
State and Government attends is in line with international risks assessment
and crisis management procedures.

12. In future the Department of State Security will ensure that its members in
discharging their operational tasks handle their operations more diligently.

13. This operation was never intended to frustrate the parliamentarians, the
media and anyone who attended parliament and the result of it not being
switched off properly is highly regretted.

ENDS

Media Enquiries: Mr. Brian Dube-0824183398