Jamming was to stop drones, says Mahlobo

(Image: Ann Froschauer, USFWS)

Since the signal was jammed on 12 February speculation has swirled around the reasons - from stopping the broadcast of images of disruption in the National Assembly to controlling the air space around Parliament.

It is the first time that Mahlobo has mentioned the neutralisation of possible explosive devices through the use of the jamming device.

Questions about the reported handing of a note to Mahlobo by Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa and the almost immediate restoration of the signal have remained unanswered, with both men declining to reveal the details of the note.

Replying to a parliamentary question by Democratic Alliance MP Dirk Stubbe, Mahlobo said: "The State Security Agency was responsible for the threat and risk assessment and for supporting the SANDF (South African National Defence Force) efforts to enforce the airspace security. The airspace security plan was also properly approved to supply security measures against lowspeed, low-energy threats, as well as the drones, with minimal disruption to commercial aviation and related aspects."

Mahlobo referred to the national operations joint media statement of 11 February, which "clearly indicated that currently there is a no-fly zone over Parliament and the areas surrounding it and this restriction will apply on the day of the event. All aircraft, aerodrones and unmanned aerial vehicles will not be allowed in this restricted airspace."

He added: "Given that the drones are using the GSM-based technology similar to that of mobile phones communication, the use of technical devices is also meant to neutralise explosive devices which can be activated by the use of radio signal, which operates within a radio frequency spectrum."

Stubbe wanted to know if there was any information regarding a possible terrorist attack Parliament on the president at the time of the address.

Mahlobo responded: "The security details and preparations are informed by the level of the security threat assessment. The Sona (state of the nation address) event was rated major based on intelligence reported prior to the event which was unprecedented.

"Further, given the magnitude of the event and the fact that all spheres of government, the three arms of the state, international invited guests, two former heads of state and the general public were present, maximum security had to be effected. As a matter of policy and practice, we do not disclose security assessment reports."

DA deputy spokesman on state security David Maynier said it appeared the minister was chopping and changing his story, and did not have a coherent explanation. Parliament needed to set up a special ad hoc committee to investigate the matter, he said.

Source: Business Day, via I-Net Bridge