Abuses at SAâs spy agency show poor governance, but it can be fixed By The Conversation Moses B. Khanyile Earlier this year allegations of widespread financial irregularities and distortion of the mandate of South Africaâs State Security Agency were made at the judicial commission on grand corruption. The agency is responsible for collecting intelligence on domestic and foreign threats to the country. The allegations point to a complete breakdown of corporate governance. They have serious implications for the agencyâs operational performance, matters of national trust, reputation and international intelligence sharing arrangements. Corporate governance is essentially about ensuring accountability in how an entity conducts its work and uses its resources to achieve its goal. Internal controls must be in place and auditable.