Five requirements of professional Intelligence officers

They must remind us of the values underscoring the declaration of allegiance, which all took on joining the Services as well as the code of conduct for intelligence officers, which all have sworn to abide by. In this respect all members of our intelligence community need to abide by five key undertakings:

1.       We must accept the fundamental principle of legality. We do not stand above the law. We are not exempt from the law. We are unequivocally and emphatically bound by the law and the Bill of Rights. All our operations must be conducted within the parameters of the Constitution and relevant legislation. The founders of our democracy took this issue so seriously that they enshrined in our Constitution the requirement that members of the security services should disobey a manifestly illegal order.

2.       We must accept the fundamental principle that we are subordinate and accountable to the elected and duly appointed civilian authority. The establishment and maintenance of democracy is not possible if we do not accept this principle.

3.       We must accept the fundamental principle of political non-partisanship. We may not further, in a partisan manner, any interest of a political party and we may not prejudice a political party interest that is legitimate in terms of the Constitution. We must refrain from involvement in party politics. How you vote is your preference outside the workplace. Conversely, government and opposition groups should not misuse the Intelligence Services for partisan political ends.

4.       We must accept that our Services owe no loyalty to any political party or faction, or statutory or non-statutory security service of the past era. We owe our loyalty to the Constitution, to the citizens of our country, to the state, to the intelligence structure in which we are employed, and to each other. Any kind of partisan conflict within our ranks is unprofessional and unacceptable and cannot be tolerated.

5.       We must strive to maintain high standards of technical proficiency in the performance of our functions, enhance our skills and knowledge, safeguard the property and other assets of the state, and undertake our activities in an efficient and effective manner.

It is only in this way that we can leave a lasting heritage, which our people and indeed future generations can be proud of. It is an honour to inaugurate our new Archival Building here today. Its very presence and its mission carry a sacred burden of trust granted by our Constitution and our people. Indeed, it is a crucial element of guarding the guardians.

Extract:

‘Quis Custodiet Ipsos Custodes’ Who shall Guard the Guardians? Address: Inauguration Ceremony for the new Archives Building Musanda [27 September 2005]