National Intelligence Coordinating Committee [NICOC]

The National Intelligence Coordinating Committee, chaired by an Intelligence Coordinator, brings together the heads of the different services and reports to the Cabinet or President. NICOC consists of:

• the Co-ordinator for Intelligence
• the Director-General of the Agency
• the chief of the Intelligence Division of the National Defence Force
• the head of the National Investigation Service of the South African Police Service;
• the Director-General of the Service

NICOC co-ordinates the intelligence supplied by the members of the National Intelligence Structures to NICOC and interprets national strategic intelligence for use by the State and the Cabinet. NICOC also co-ordinates and prioritises intelligence activities within the National Intelligence Structures, and advises the Cabinet on the intelligence policy and functions within the National Intelligence Structures. The Committee prepares and interprets a national intelligence estimate for consideration by the Cabinet, and produces and disseminates current intelligence which may have an influence on state policy.

NICOC is also responsible for formulating for approval by the Cabinet, a policy relating to national strategic intelligence and, after consultation with the departments of State entrusted with the maintenance of the security of the Republic, to co-ordinate the flow of national security intelligence between such departments; and to make recommendations to the Cabinet on intelligence priorities.

In order to ensure accountability, a parliamentary committee is appointed by the President in concurrence with the Speaker of Parliament and leaders of political parties. Inspectors-General of the new intelligence agencies, also appointed by the President, monitors the services. They report to the parliamentary committee and to the Ministers concerned.