http://www.dailynews.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=3180815
Bugging causes credibility crisis
Alarming is the only way to describe the latest "spy" scandal in
Parliament in which phones used by the opposition DA and the chief
whip of the ANC were apparently bugged by the National Intelligence Agency.
It was not too long ago that PW Botha's "spooks" tapped the phones of
anyone connected with opposition politics with impunity, causing
people to formulate a whole set of codes on the telephone lest even
innocent calls were misinterpreted.
The latest revelations are reminiscent of those terrible days when
politicians, journalists, priests and others were banned on the basis
of taped phone calls.
It is hardly surprising then that even the Speaker of the National
Assembly, Baleka Mbete, was "shocked and surprised" on hearing
through the media that Parliamentary phones were being monitored.
The responsibility for the sanctity of Parliament lies with the
Speaker and she will have to act if only to protect the credibility
of the institution that makes the laws that govern the country.
Like the Speaker, the leader of the Opposition, Tony Leon, also only
learned that rogue NIA officials had been spying on the DA's
parliamentary offices through media reports. He has called on the
President for an independent judicial commission of inquiry into the
intelligence services and their mandate.
Instead of being equally horrified that the integrity of Parliament
should be shown so little respect by his Intelligence Agency,
President Mbeke churlishly criticized the DA for making their request
through the media, although that was where the information came from.
The DA has also demanded the return of all information illegally
obtained by the alleged bugging.
While the Intelligence Inspector General is still to report to
Parliament on his investigation into the whole bugging and hoax
e-mail issue, the people of this country need to be assured that the
President respects the sanctity of Parliament and that their own
privacy will not be invaded by misguided spies in the future.
The only way to do this credibly is through an independent
commission, which he should announce as soon as possible.
Published on the web by Daily News on March 29, 2006.
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Received on Sat Mar 02 2024 - 00:57:21 CST