Department of National Intelligence and Security (South Africa)
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Department of National Intelligence and Security (NAT) is a defunct security service of the African National Congress (ANC) in exile. At the ANC's Morogoro Conference in Tanzania during 1969, in one of the many decisions made to the organisations structure, it was decided to form a department that would protect the organisations human and material resources.[1]: Chp2 This department was then formed in April 1969.[1]: Chp2
There were four main functions of the new department. The first was to prevent infiltration of the ANC and its military wing by members of South African security services.[1]: Chp4 Secondly, gather information about the South African governments intentions and strategies.[1]: Chp4 Thirdly, minimize the damage that may have occurred from the infiltration by agents of the South African security services.[1]: Chp4 And finally assist in the reconnaissance of targets inside South Africa which could be developed into potential operations.[1]: Chp4
Between 1969 and 1981, the department was of an ad hoc nature with staff drawn mainly from Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK), the military wing of the ANC.[1]: Chp4 During those years the departments role was one of security and counter-intelligence.[1]: Chp4 In 1981 a new head of the Department of National Intelligence and Security was sought, based in Lusaka, Zambia with the job offered to Mzwai Piliso, the man responsible for setting up the ANC camps in Angola after 1975 and which housed the recruits who fled South Africa after 1976 Soweto riots.[2]: 284 His deputy and Intelligence head would be Peter Boroko (aka Peter Lesego Tshikare), the head of Security was Reddy Mazimba (aka Reddy Mampane) and the head of Administration was Sizakele Sigxashe.[2]: 285 From 1981, the staffing was formalised with training in intelligence taking place in the Soviet Union, East Germany, Libya and Zimbabwe.[1]: Chp4
With the fall of the Portuguese colony in Angola during 1975, the ANC was allowed to set up training camps. By 1979, NAT had set up Rehabilitation Camp 32 also known as the Morris Seabelo Rehabilitation Centre or more infamously as Quatro.[1]: Chp4 It was used as detention and torture camp for those thought to have betrayed the ANC organisation to the South African government or those involved in common crime.[3] The security section of NAT was called the Mbokodo, gaining an infamous reputation by stamping out any sign of dissent in the ANC camps and a need to find scapegoats whether real or imagined when things went wrong.[1]: Chp8
Known heads
- Moses Mabhida 1969 – 1976
- Simon Makana 1976 – 1980
- Mzwai Piliso 1981 – 1985
- Joe Nhlanhla 1985 – 1987
Organisational structure
In the years following its formation, NAT had three main sections:[1]: Chp4
- Intelligence
- Security
- Processing of Information
As the department was professionalised, the structure changed and the following sections created or expanded:[1]: Chp4
- Intelligence
- Counter-Intelligence
- Security and Correctional Services
- VIP Protection
- Central Intelligence Evaluation