National Security Council

◆ The National Security Council (NSC) is at the apex of government structures in matters of national security. Chaired by the president, it is responsible for issues like the approval of the National Security Strategy, the National Intelligence Estimate and the National Intelligence Priorities.

◆ Of concern to the investigating panel was that the NSC did not meet regularly before July 2021, despite warnings by the National Intelligence Co-ordination Council that it was going to be a volatile year.

◆ Throughout the first half of 2021, there were periodic outbreaks of violent protests, and increased mobilisation for protests.

◆ Tensions kept rising, especially on the political front, as the tug-of-war around Jacob Zuma’s Constitutional Court case unfolded.

◆ The NSC’s failure to meet is only partly mitigated by the fact that the security structures played a supportive role to the National

Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC). This is to inform the NCCC of security concerns that could negatively impact the country’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

◆ It is unknown if the NSC met to conduct a deep analysis of what and why the violence in July occurred, who planned it, their ultimate goal and why South Africa faces constant instability.

◆ The panel asked to meet with ministers who serve in the NSC collectively, but this did not take place. It also asked for access to intelligence products, but this did not happen. However, it met with the ministers of police, defence and state security individually.

◆ It appears that the NSC did not receive any clear, direct intelligence about the impending violence. However, once it met and received full briefings from the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (Natjoints), it acted appropriately. However, this was much later than would have been expected.