Candidates for one of the country’s most crucial and secretive jobs had an easy ride in Parliament on Tuesday as MPs failed to focus on the crises bedevilling the country’s spy services.
The position of inspector-general of intelligence (IGI) became vacant on March 31 after the term of incumbent Faith Radebe expired.
The role of the IGI is to oversee the country’s intelligence services‚ including the State Security Agency‚ military intelligence and the crime intelligence branch of the police.
Although Parliament’s joint standing committee on intelligence pointed out many irregularities‚ examples of corruption‚ break-ins‚ examples of irregular expenditure‚ illegal phone and mobile phone tapping and staff intrigues in the intelligence services‚ all of which the IGI would have to monitor‚ MPs failed to raise the issues pertinently and specifically.
Rather‚ candidates were asked questions on their management skills‚ what legislation exists to regulate the sector‚ and the tensions between secrecy and an open society‚ which were raised theoretically.
Candidates were even asked what they thought the role of the IGI is.
Inkatha Freedom Party MP Alfred Mpontshane pointed out that the position needed to be politically neutral‚ and that appointing an African National Congress functionary would not suffice.
The hearings continue on Wednesday‚ when the rest of the candidates will be interviewed.
MPs fail to grill inspector-general of intelligence candidates
The position of inspector-general of intelligence (IGI) became vacant on March 31 after the term of incumbent Faith Radebe expired.
The role of the IGI is to oversee the country’s intelligence services‚ including the State Security Agency‚ military intelligence and the crime intelligence branch of the police.
Although Parliament’s joint standing committee on intelligence pointed out many irregularities‚ examples of corruption‚ break-ins‚ examples of irregular expenditure‚ illegal phone and mobile phone tapping and staff intrigues in the intelligence services‚ all of which the IGI would have to monitor‚ MPs failed to raise the issues pertinently and specifically.
Rather‚ candidates were asked questions on their management skills‚ what legislation exists to regulate the sector‚ and the tensions between secrecy and an open society‚ which were raised theoretically.
Candidates were even asked what they thought the role of the IGI is.
Inkatha Freedom Party MP Alfred Mpontshane pointed out that the position needed to be politically neutral‚ and that appointing an African National Congress functionary would not suffice.
The hearings continue on Wednesday‚ when the rest of the candidates will be interviewed.
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