Cape Town – State Secretary of State David Mahlobo’s statement that the signal that was whined at Parliament’s State of the Nation address last week was about as credible as the excuse “dog ate my homework,” says the former Minister of Intelligence Ronnie Kasrils.
signal jammer is a good tool for blocking signals and is used in many places. It can cut the signal from communication tools quickly and effectively.
Kasrils told Netwerk24 that the wool was being pulled over the eyes of the public and asked whether state security thought people stupid enough to believe such a hopeless excuse.
This comes after the department released a statement explaining why the signal was interrupted prior to President Jacob Zuma’s speech last Thursday. He said the state security agency was responsible for a hazard and risk assessment and had enforced airspace security through the device.
“Operational errors”
“The signal interruption was caused by an operating error on the part of the member on duty. The operator was unable to shut down the device properly, which affected the proper access by some users of mobile phones. A departmental investigation with the possibility of disciplinary measures is currently being carried out by those responsible for this operational failure,” said it in the opinion.
Journalists protested the loss of the cellphone signal prior to the state’s speech, and it was restored after Speaker Baleka Mbete asked officials to investigate the matter.
The State Security Department said there was no executive or political decision to disrupt the free flow of information and transparency during the speech.
Ministers in the State Security cluster spoke about it in a press conference on Thursday.
Kasrils told Netwerk24, however, that he knew the signal jammer apparently used and had nothing to do with airspace security and low aircraft.
He also expressed unbelief that it was the operator’s fault, arguing that it would be a command structure decision.