Security Vetting in the South African National Defence Force Army Support Bases

Alufheli Makatu; Tshimangadzo Oscar Magadze

doi:10.25159/3005-4222/20841

Authors

Alufheli Makatu lecturer https://orcid.org/0009-0003-1062-5290
Tshimangadzo Oscar Magadze University of South Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1069-8583

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25159/3005-4222/20841

Keywords:

code of conduct, legislation, security competence, security vetting, vetting process

Abstract

The study explored the implementation of security vetting processes in the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). This is a qualitative study, and semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from 21 participants from Army Support Bases (ASBs), the Defence Intelligence (DI), and selected managers in the SANDF. Vetting proved to be a “foreign” word among junior-ranking participants at the ASBs, which creates a big challenge in the security environment. Lack of knowledge and information always creates problems within an organisation. A selected finding revealed that several factors other than security vetting processes, which include non-adherence and attitudes towards security vetting by members, are impacting vetting at Army Support Bases. Lack of personnel was found to be hampering the implementation of security vetting throughout the Department of Defence (DOD). This study recommends that to enhance the implementation of security vetting in the entire DOD, there is a need for a broader definition of the acronym PEOPLE-D, representing partnership, environment, outcome-focused approach, population-based intervention, life course security awareness, empowerment, and decentralisation.

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