Maimane blasts ANC for ‘politicising intelligence’ after Ramaphosa suspends Fazel

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Cape Town – Build One South Africa (Bosa) leader Mmusi Maimane has criticised the ANC for undermining South Africa’s intelligence services for political purposes, following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s suspension of intelligence inspector-general Imtiaz Fazel.

Ramaphosa suspended Fazel, pending the outcome of an investigation by Parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence (JSCI) into his conduct.

The Presidency confirmed on Wednesday that Ramaphosa acted after being formally notified by the JSCI that it had received a complaint against Fazel.

“President Cyril Ramaphosa has suspended the inspector-general of intelligence, Mr Imtiaz Fazel, pending a decision in an investigation by Parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence (JSCI) into the inspector-general’s conduct.

“The JSCI has informed President Ramaphosa that it has received a complaint on the conduct of the inspector-general and that the committee will investigate in line with sections 7(4) and 7(5) of the Intelligence Services Act (Act 40 of 1994),” the Presidency said in a statement.

According to The Citizen, Maimane argues the ANC has failed to professionalise intelligence as recommended after former minister Mofumadi’s inquiry and calls for ethical leadership in the sector.

“The utilisation of intelligence for political reasons has been the chronic undermining of the service by the ANC.

“The ANC has failed to implement the recommendation of the professionalisation of intelligence post the enquiry by former minister Mofumadi. Now is the time we bring change to change the current leadership and appoint ethical generals. The President must brief the committee on the extent of the complaint and findings. Our country has been failed by poor leadership and decisions by the government,” the report quoted Maimane as saying.

The suspension coincides with concerns raised in Parliament about the weakness and mismanagement of the country’s crime intelligence and state security units, including the misuse of funds.

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Compiled by Betha Madhomu

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