LIVE | Dr Sifolo addresses the tension between media freedom and national security - IOL

Acting National Intelligence Coordinating Committee (NICOC) coordinator Dr Ntandazo Sifolo has testified at the Madlanga Commission.

Sifolo had initially sought to testify behind closed doors but subsequently agreed to allow certain documents to be used during the commission’s public hearings.

The arrangements, set out in three annexures, distinguish between records that may be used for questioning, documents that can be displayed publicly and material reserved for private proceedings.

Under Annexure A, documents may be used to question Sifiso and other witnesses during open hearings but cannot be displayed publicly.

Annexure C permits documents to be used in public proceedings and displayed at the discretion of the evidence leader.

However, Annexure B places tighter restrictions on material Sifolo has withheld from public hearings. These documents may only be used for questioning during in-camera proceedings.

The framework follows a ruling by commission chairperson, retired Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga.

NICOC is responsible for coordinating intelligence assessments across government, making Sifolo’s testimony significant to the commission’s examination of intelligence-related matters.