DA questions timing of Inspector-General of Intelligence's suspension

The Democratic Alliance (DA) believes allegations that have led to the suspension of the Inspector-General of Intelligence, Imtiaz Fazel, are part of an orchestrated strategy to disable accountability mechanisms.

It said it will demand answers from President Cyril Ramaphosa for the suspension after he made the announcement on Wednesday, saying he had been informed by Parliament's Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence about a complaint against Fazel.

But the DA's Dianne Kohler-Barnard, a member of that committee, is crying foul.

She said the complaint is indicative of a pattern of intimidation against anti-corruption figures.

Parliament's Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence meets behind closed doors, and other than information shared in its annual report, the matters it deals with are kept secret.

Members of Parliament are also not allowed to discuss their business.

In a statement from the Presidency, Ramaphosa said that Fazel has been suspended to allow the committee to conduct an investigation into a complaint against him.

Kohler-Barnard said while she respects the legal provisions necessitating the suspension, the timing and context raise serious and alarming questions.

Fazel is responsible for overseeing all intelligence and counter-intelligence activity in the country.

Kohler-Barnard said she will now use Parliament's question process to demand transparency on the nature of the complaint.

"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."

She said her party will also insist that the committee's investigation is conducted with urgency, transparency, and fairness.

Fazel was appointed to the job by the president almost three years ago, on the recommendation of Parliament.