DATE=4/9/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-229423
TITLE=SAF / INTELLIGENCE (L ONLY)
BYLINE=DELIA ROBERTSON
DATELINE=JOHANNESBURG
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  SOUTH AFRICA'S GOVERNMENT HAS APPOINTED A COMMISSION TO 
INVESTIGATE THE COUNTRY'S MILITARY INTELLIGENCE SERVICES.  
V-O-A'S DELIA ROBERTSON IN JOHANNESBURG REPORTS THE ANNOUNCEMENT 
FOLLOWS THE SUBMISSION OF A FALSE INTELLIGENCE REPORT TO 
PRESIDENT NELSON MANDELA.

TEXT:  THE COMMISSION WILL REVIEW SECRET DEPARTMENTS AS WELL AS 
OVERALL MILITARY INTELLIGENCE SERVICES TO DETERMINE IF THEY ARE 
DELIVERING TIMELY AND ACCURATE INFORMATION TO THE GOVERNMENT.  IN
ADDITION, THE COMMISSION WILL INVESTIGATE WHETHER MEMBERS OF 
APARTHEID-ERA SECURITY SERVICES ARE TRYING TO UNDERMINE THE NEW 
SERVICES.

DEPUTY DEFENSE MINISTER RONNIE KASRILS SAID THE DECISION TO 
INVESTIGATE THE SERVICES DID  NOT  ARISE FROM THE RECENT CASE IN 
WHICH DEFENSE FORCE CHIEF GEORGE MEIRING GAVE FALSE INFORMATION 
ABOUT A COUP PLOT TO PRESIDENT NELSON MANDELA.

THE INFORMATION WAS OBTAINED FROM A SINGLE INDIVIDUAL WHO WAS A 
SPY FOR THE FORMER GOVERNMENT AND WHO WAS LAST MONTH ARRESTED IN 
MOZAMBIQUE --- ALONG WITH A SENIOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS OFFICIAL --- 
ON GUN-RUNNING CHARGES.  

MR. MANDELA ASKED THREE OF SOUTH AFRICA'S MOST SENIOR JUDGES TO 
EVALUATE THE REPORT AND INVESTIGATE WHY IT WAS GIVEN PERSONALLY 
TO HIM RATHER THAN TO THE MINISTER OF DEFENSE.

THE JUDGES DESCRIBED THE 234-PAGE REPORT AS "INHERENTLY 
FANTASTIC"  [BASED ON A FANTASY].  THE JUDGES ALSO CRITICIZED 
GENERAL MEIRING FOR HIS HANDLING OF THE REPORT.  GENERAL MEIRING 
LATER ANNOUNCED HE WILL RETIRE ONE YEAR EARLY AND WILL BE LEAVING
HIS JOB AT THE END OF MAY.  (SIGNED)

NEB/DAR/JWH/

09-Apr-98 9:44 AM EDT (1344 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.