By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The National Assembly on Tuesday unanimously recommended Imtiaz Fazel be appointed as the next Inspector-General of Intelligence.
Fazel, who is currently a deputy director general at the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, was not the African National Congress’ first choice.
His nomination follows the rejection of Reverend Frank Chikane in June.
Parliament said in a statement the committee had 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.
“The JSCI shortlisted 12 candidates for interviews on relevant areas regarding the role and functions of the IGI, based on the Constitution, the Act, and relevant legislation and other matters, such as the High-Level Review Panel report,” read the statement.
While he was one of the underrated candidates during the interview process, Fazel had a solid background in the intelligence community.
If successful, Fazel will succeed the former head of the IGI, Setlhomamaru Isaac Dintwe, whose term ended on 15 March.
According to his CV, Fazel served as a deputy director-general in the office of the State Security Agency in 2013.
Between 2002 and 2012, he was appointed on a permanent basis as the chief operating officer of the IGI. He also served as a consultant for the then Ministry of Intelligence Service between 1997 and 2002.
Fazel has a Master’s degree in security studies, and holds a Bachelor’s degree in accounting.