Imtiaz Ahmed Fazel nominated as Inspector-General of Intelligence
The National Assembly (NA) approved the nomination of Imtiaz Ahmed
Fazel for appointment as the Inspector-General of Intelligence (IGI) of South
Africa on Tuesday.
The IGI oversees intelligence services‚ including the State Security Agency (SSA), military intelligence, and the police's crime intelligence unit.
The appointment comes after Reverend Frank Chikane was rejected for the position some three months ago.
Parliament has been under pressure to fill the vacancy after civil society bodies wrote to the office of the Inspector General of Intelligence to investigate the alleged misuse of public funds by Crime Intelligence officials to cover up the alleged theft that took place at President Cyril Ramaphosa's Phala Phala farm in Limpopo.
It is alleged that almost R2 million a month of the secret Crime Intelligence Fund was used to finance the undercover operations which traced the thieves to recover the stolen money.
Parliament spokesperson, Moloto Mothapo says the committee had to extend the deadline to 30 September to ensure public consultation
“The Committee received a total of 25 applications for the position who, following a thorough screening process, were found to meet the requirements in terms of the Intelligence Services Oversight Act.
“Following deliberations, the JSCI resolved by a simple majority of members present to nominate Mr Imtiaz Ahmed Fazel for approval by the National Assembly, for recommendation to the President for appointment as the IGI.”
The sitting also approved a report of the Portfolio Committee on Communications for the appointment of four candidates to serve on the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) council.
The vacancies were due to the resignation and the expiry of terms of office on the previous council.
The newly appointed candidates are Nompucuko Nontombana, Dikeledi Mushi, Thabisa Faye, and Ntombiza Sithole.
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