Dear Editor
The Democratic Alliance (DA) notes with profound concern the suspension of the Inspector-General of Intelligence (IGI), Mr. Imtiaz Fazel, by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
While we respect the legal provisions that allow for such a suspension pending an investigation, the timing and context of this action raise serious and alarming questions that the South African public cannot ignore.
It is impossible to view this suspension in isolation. Mr. Fazel’s suspension occurs at a time when multiple high-stakes investigations are closing in on a network of alleged corruption and political interference within our security apparatus.
Now, as the Madlanga Commission hears testimony of a “captured” criminal justice system and as an ad-hoc committee probes corruption in the SAPS, the independent official tasked with overseeing our intelligence services is suddenly removed from his post.
A disturbing pattern is emerging. Every credible person or entity such as IDAC, the IGI and IPID tasked with investigating the conduct of the National Commissioner of Police and the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner finds themselves under attack and discredited.
The allegations presented by Commissioner Mkhwanazi pointed to deep-seated capture.
In response, we have seen:
- The smearing of witnesses and investigators, including members of Parliament.
- And now, the suspension of the IGI.
This is more than a coincidence; it has all the hallmarks of a coordinated strategy to disable accountability mechanisms. When those who are meant to root out corruption become the targets of complaints and suspensions, it is clear there is far more to this situation than meets the eye.
The DA will be submitting urgent parliamentary questions to President Ramaphosa to demand full transparency on the nature of the complaint against Mr. Fazel.
We will also insist that the JSCI’s investigation is conducted with utmost urgency, transparency, and fairness. The integrity of our state institutions and the fight against corruption depend on it.
We stand firmly against any attempt to use state processes to silence whistle-blowers and intimidate independent constitutional office bearers. The South African people deserve a government that fights corruption, not one that seemingly protects it by sidelining its chief investigators.
Regards
Dianne Kohler Barnard MP
DA Spokesperson on State Security