PUB2602
ASSIGNMENT 3 2025
DUE: 10 OCTOBER 2025 MEMO)
,Table of Contents
1. Introduction ................................................................................ 2
2. The SANDF’s Role and Functions in National Security .......... 3
o Mandate and Legal Framework
o Primary Role – External Defence
o Secondary Roles – Internal Security Support
o Assessment
3. Functions and Responsibilities of Intelligence Services ....... 6
o Mandates and Structure
o Core Functions
o Contribution to Security Initiatives
o Academic Perspective
o Assessment
4. SAPS Structure, Strategies and Effectiveness ........................ 9
o Mandate and Legislative Framework
o Organisational Structure
o Operational Strategies
o Effectiveness in Crime Prevention
o Community Policing Assessment
o Real-Life Example – Election Security 2024
o Conclusion on SAPS
5. Conclusion .................................................................................. 14
6. References ................................................................................... 15
1
, Introduction
Protection services in South Africa’s national sphere comprise a spectrum of agencies
and structures mandated to safeguard the Republic’s stability, sovereignty, and citizens.
At the apex of this system is the South African National Defence Force (SANDF),
charged with defending against external aggression and supporting internal security
where needed. Intelligence services gather, analyse and interpret information to advise
government decision-makers on threats and risks. The South African Police Service
(SAPS) enforces law and order domestically and engages communities to prevent crime.
Each of these institutions is grounded in the Constitution, statutory mandates and
national policy. This portfolio addresses their roles in national security: (1) the SANDF’s
functions in defending national interests and responding to threats; (2) the responsibilities
of intelligence services and their support to policy-making; and (3) the SAPS’s
organisational structure and strategies, with a critical review of crime prevention and
community policing. Throughout, emphasis is placed on legislative and policy frameworks
e.g. the Constitution, the Defence Act, SAPS Act and relevant White Papers and on
recent developments, supported by academic and official sources.
1. The SANDF’s Role and Functions in National Security
Mandate and Legal Framework. The SANDF is constitutionally mandated as the
Republic’s sole national defence force (RSA 1996: s199) (Constitution). Section 200(2) of
the Constitution explicitly states that the “primary object of the defence force is to defend
and protect the Republic, its territorial integrity and its people in accordance with the
Constitution and international law”. Thus, defending South Africa against external
aggression or threats is SANDF’s core mission. The Defence Act (42 of 2002) reinforces
this: it specifies that the President and Minister of Defence may employ the SANDF “for
service in the defence of the Republic and its territorial integrity,” and may also authorize
deployments in cooperation with police or in fulfilment of international obligations
(Defence Act 2002: s18–19). National policy mirrors this emphasis: the White Paper on
2
ASSIGNMENT 3 2025
DUE: 10 OCTOBER 2025 MEMO)
,Table of Contents
1. Introduction ................................................................................ 2
2. The SANDF’s Role and Functions in National Security .......... 3
o Mandate and Legal Framework
o Primary Role – External Defence
o Secondary Roles – Internal Security Support
o Assessment
3. Functions and Responsibilities of Intelligence Services ....... 6
o Mandates and Structure
o Core Functions
o Contribution to Security Initiatives
o Academic Perspective
o Assessment
4. SAPS Structure, Strategies and Effectiveness ........................ 9
o Mandate and Legislative Framework
o Organisational Structure
o Operational Strategies
o Effectiveness in Crime Prevention
o Community Policing Assessment
o Real-Life Example – Election Security 2024
o Conclusion on SAPS
5. Conclusion .................................................................................. 14
6. References ................................................................................... 15
1
, Introduction
Protection services in South Africa’s national sphere comprise a spectrum of agencies
and structures mandated to safeguard the Republic’s stability, sovereignty, and citizens.
At the apex of this system is the South African National Defence Force (SANDF),
charged with defending against external aggression and supporting internal security
where needed. Intelligence services gather, analyse and interpret information to advise
government decision-makers on threats and risks. The South African Police Service
(SAPS) enforces law and order domestically and engages communities to prevent crime.
Each of these institutions is grounded in the Constitution, statutory mandates and
national policy. This portfolio addresses their roles in national security: (1) the SANDF’s
functions in defending national interests and responding to threats; (2) the responsibilities
of intelligence services and their support to policy-making; and (3) the SAPS’s
organisational structure and strategies, with a critical review of crime prevention and
community policing. Throughout, emphasis is placed on legislative and policy frameworks
e.g. the Constitution, the Defence Act, SAPS Act and relevant White Papers and on
recent developments, supported by academic and official sources.
1. The SANDF’s Role and Functions in National Security
Mandate and Legal Framework. The SANDF is constitutionally mandated as the
Republic’s sole national defence force (RSA 1996: s199) (Constitution). Section 200(2) of
the Constitution explicitly states that the “primary object of the defence force is to defend
and protect the Republic, its territorial integrity and its people in accordance with the
Constitution and international law”. Thus, defending South Africa against external
aggression or threats is SANDF’s core mission. The Defence Act (42 of 2002) reinforces
this: it specifies that the President and Minister of Defence may employ the SANDF “for
service in the defence of the Republic and its territorial integrity,” and may also authorize
deployments in cooperation with police or in fulfilment of international obligations
(Defence Act 2002: s18–19). National policy mirrors this emphasis: the White Paper on
2
