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On 8 September 2008, the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) and the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The agreement focuses on cooperation regarding parliamentary professional development, capacity building, and the oversight of security sector governance. Specifically, the two organizations will provide training for parliamentarians, support staff, and parliamentary committees on the development of national security and defence policies and the general workings of the security sector.

The seminar analyzed the Pan-African Parliament's (PAP) efforts to uphold democratic principles in Africa, noting that many elections serve as a "façade for democracy within semi-authoritarian systems." Participants discussed the limitations of the PAP as a consultative body and the need to transition from short-term election observation to long-term monitoring and supervision. The report emphasizes the necessity of a common code of conduct for observers and the importance of professional, non-partisan parliamentarians to ensure credible elections.

The report examines the Niger Delta crisis, arguing that the transition from a regional to a federal control of oil revenue after 1956, combined with environmental degradation by oil multinationals and state failure in governance, led to systemic instability. It identifies a 30% loss in daily oil production due to militant attacks and recommends environmental assessments, community compensation, and inclusive dialogue to achieve peace.

The document summarizes a 2008 seminar on the democratic governance of intelligence in South Africa. Key discussions focused on the shift toward human security, the challenge of non-partisanship in post-liberation states, and criticisms regarding the perceived politicization of intelligence services and their failure to anticipate xenophobic violence. The seminar also addressed the contentious nature of the Protection of Information Bill.

The document summarizes a seminar on South Africa's Act 27 of 2006, highlighting concerns over vague definitions, lack of oversight, and potential conflicts with foreign policy and peacekeeping efforts in Africa, while acknowledging the Act's intent to curb mercenarism.

The report details a seminar hosted by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) to evaluate the Prohibition of Mercenary Activities and Regulation of Certain Activities in Areas of Armed Conflict Act 27 of 2006. Experts argued that while the Act aims to curb mercenary activity and align with the South African Constitution, it is overly restrictive, lacks clear definitions for 'humanitarian assistance', and may push the private military and security company (PMSC) industry underground. Discussions highlighted the tension between the Act's punitive approach and the potential utility of PMSCs in peacekeeping and stability operations, as well as the Act's impact on the military profession and its relationship with International Humanitarian Law.

The paper examines the nexus between migration and human security, focusing on the vulnerabilities of undocumented Zimbabweans in South Africa. It identifies push factors in Zimbabwe, such as economic collapse and political repression, and pull factors in South Africa, including economic prosperity. The author argues that the lack of legal documentation renders migrants susceptible to employment exploitation, inadequate shelter, and physical abuse in detention centres. The document also discusses the SADC Protocol on the Facilitation of Movement of Persons as a potential mechanism to reduce illegal migration and improve human security, while noting institutional failures in both Zimbabwe and South Africa that perpetuate the current crisis.

The report examines the background, size, and features of Lesotho's parliament, its electoral system, and the channels of communication between parliament and the electorate. It includes perspectives from respondents and an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the political opposition, concluding with recommendations from Professor Francis K Makoa.

The SAPS Criminal Record and Forensic Science Service (CRFSS) faces significant operational hurdles despite improvements in DNA backlogs between 2004 and 2006. Key challenges include high staff turnover due to low salaries, insufficient training for forensic field workers leading to poor quality evidence, and delays caused by a lack of prosecutor requests for DNA analysis. To address these, the SAPS implemented the Genetic Sample Processing System (GSPS) in 2007, a large-scale robotics system designed to eliminate human error and increase processing volume. The author recommends market-related salaries, contractual training bonds, and the establishment of an offender DNA database to improve the efficiency of the criminal justice process.

The report identifies and quantifies non-tariff barriers (NTBs) along the Durban–Gaborone corridor, finding that these barriers account for 24.4% of round-trip heavy vehicle running costs. The most significant costs are attributed to South African toll roads, including direct fees and indirect costs from fuel consumption and downtime. Other identified NTBs include Botswana user charges, infrastructure deterioration, weighbridge delays, harbour permit costs, and border clearance procedures. The study suggests that these NTBs contribute approximately 1.83% to the final cost of sales, which, when modelled against South Africa's GDP, represents a potential national impact of R31.61 billion.

The author contends that the South African Parliament has become increasingly irrelevant because Members of Parliament (MPs) are accountable to their political parties rather than the electorate. To remedy this, the text proposes moving from a proportional representation party-list system to a mixed electoral system with constituency-based voting, as recommended by the Van Zyl Slabbert task team. Additionally, it suggests implementing a mandatory 'candidates' charter' that would require MPs to hold regular public meetings, declare assets and expenses, and be subject to a constituency right of recall for failure to adhere to these undertakings.

The report evaluates the South African Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), highlighting a tension between its ambitious foreign policy goals—specifically the 'African Agenda'—and institutional challenges including high personnel vacancy rates, managerial instability, and a lack of measurable performance data. While the DFA has increased its budgetary and diplomatic presence in Africa, the report notes significant gaps in skilled personnel and a need for better alignment between foreign policy and domestic economic growth goals.

The document argues that South Africa is well-positioned to adopt restorative justice due to a favorable policy environment and a cultural heritage aligned with 'ubuntu'. It examines various applications, including the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, youth diversion, and victim-offender conferencing, while highlighting the need for training among magistrates and prosecutors to move beyond a purely retributive mindset.

The document examines the evolution of diversion in South Africa, moving from disjointed, discretionary practices in the 1990s toward a regulated system under the Child Justice Bill. It details the Bill's mechanisms for expanding diversion, such as compulsory assessments and preliminary inquiries, and categorizes diversion options into three levels based on offence severity. The paper also analyzes the role of the National Institute for Crime Prevention and the Reintegration of Offenders (NICRO) as a primary provider and presents cost-benefit analyses suggesting that increased diversion spending would lead to overall government savings by reducing child detention. Evaluation studies of specific programmes like SAYStOP and DIME generally show positive outcomes in reducing recidivism and improving child well-being.

The research paper argues that statistics from the Independent Complaints Directorate (ICD) are not reliable indicators of overall police brutality in South Africa. While the ICD was established to deter human rights abuses by the South African Police Service (SAPS), the majority of its cases consist of public dissatisfaction with policing services rather than reports of brutality. The author notes that victims of non-fatal police violence are underrepresented in ICD data due to factors such as poverty, marginalization, and police intimidation. Furthermore, significant provincial discrepancies exist, with some offices, such as KwaZulu-Natal, recording far fewer assaults than independent pilot projects in the same region.

The EIB is a central financial institution for EU relations with developing countries, particularly those in the ACP region. While it operates under the Cotonou Agreement, the document argues that the EIB prioritizes economic and technical evaluations over sustainable development and poverty eradication. The report highlights significant gaps in public information and project evaluation, noting that many venture capital operations lack public scrutiny. It recommends that the EIB adopt international standards like the Millennium Development Goals, implement mandatory public consultations, and establish an independent inspection mechanism for affected communities.

The provided text is the front matter and credits for the proceedings of a UNESCO and Institute for Security Studies (ISS) expert meeting held in Pretoria, South Africa, on 23-24 July 2001, titled 'Peace, Human Security and Conflict Prevention in Africa'.

The report examines the transformation of the South African Army (SA Army) within the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), highlighting the shift toward civilian oversight and the legitimisation of the Department of Defence. It identifies significant hurdles in human resources, including a prolonged integration process for former combatants, 'transformation fatigue', and a funding crisis that has curtailed training and operational capability. The text also details structural shifts toward 'jointness' in operations and a move toward 'just-in-time' logistics, while noting that the army remains largely 'untransformed' in practice despite policy changes.

The Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act 43 of 1983 (and its associated regulations) provides a legal framework for the protection of agricultural resources in South Africa. It establishes mandatory control measures to prevent soil erosion, waterlogging, and salination, regulates the use of veld and the management of veld fires, and creates a classification system for combating weeds and invader plants. The document also outlines the administrative functions of conservation committees and the technical specifications for soil conservation beacons.

This document is a draft reply from the South African Department of Water and Sanitation to a National Assembly question (No. 4253) regarding the number and qualifications of 'Blue Scorpions' (Environmental Management Inspectors) within its Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement unit.