State Security Agency (SSA)
National Department · Justice and Protection Services
The State Security Agency is responsible for South Africa’s civilian intelligence, covering domestic and foreign intelligence gathering, counter-intelligence and the security vetting of people who handle classified information.
It was formed in 2009 by amalgamating the former National Intelligence Agency, the South African Secret Service, the National Communications Centre, the Office for Interception Centres and COMSEC. It operates under the National Strategic Intelligence Act and the Intelligence Services Act, and is overseen by the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence and the Inspector-General of Intelligence.
The agency is being restructured. The General Intelligence Laws Amendment Act, signed into law in March 2025, separates it into a Foreign Intelligence Service and a Domestic Intelligence Agency, and tightens the rules on bulk interception of communications. The changes implement recommendations of the 2018 High-Level Review Panel and of the Zondo Commission.
Audit record
No audited financial statements are published for this entity in the source data. Colleges and some subsidiaries report through their parent department.
Leadership, 7 listed
- Minister
- Ms Khumbudzo Phophi Silence Ntshavheni
- Director General
- Amb Tony Gab Msimanga
- Chief of Staff
- Mr Sipho Mbele
- Chief Financial Officer
- Mr Abraham Marotholi
- Senior Management
- Ms Mamusa Khanyeza Ms Machaka Mosehana
- Secretaries
- Mr Didimallo Vollenhoven
Description written for this directory from the entity’s own published sources: www.ssa.gov.za, www.thepresidency.gov.za, www.gov.za