Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence (JSCI)

Integral to the White Paper on Intelligence drafted in 1994 was the establishment of oversight mechanisms over the Intelligence Services.  Referred to as the legislative oversight mechanism, the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence (JSCI) is an oversight Parliamentary body comprised of members of the six largest political parties.  Act 40 of 1994 provides for the establishment of the JSCI. 

Parties currently serving on the JSCI are the African National Congress (ANC), Democratic Alliance (DA),  Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) and Independent Democrats (ID).  Selection to the Committee is based on proportional representation decided on by percentage of votes received in the last national election. 

The JSCI hears complaints from the public, scrutinizes the finances and operations of the Services and reports to Parliament on these matters. 

Parliamentary members serving on the JSCI, take an oath of secrecy and undergo security screening to ensure that they do not compromise the work of the Services in the course of performing their duties. 

The committee is headed by Dr Siyabonga Cwele.