JSCI REJECTS MEDIA REPORTS ON PRESIDENT JACOB ZUMA'S ALLEGED INTERVENTION IN APPOINTMENT OF INSPECTOR-GENERAL OF INTELLIGENCE

Parliament, Monday 18 January 2016 – The Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence (JSCI) rejects media reports that purport that President Jacob Zuma personally intervened and used force to influence and applied pressure in support of Cecil Burgess as the candidate for the Inspector General position.

We distance ourselves from such sources who misrepresented the deliberations of the meeting, and misrepresented what the President said or did. We are reminded that the JSCI has completed its legislative obligation of interviewing candidates and has tabled a report for consideration to the National Assembly that includes the recommendation of Cecil Burgess. The Programming Committee of Parliament is currently seized with this.

It is therefore malicious to suggest that the President used force to influence a decision which the JSCI had already taken. In terms of the Joint Rules and Intelligence Oversight Act of 1994, all meetings are closed. As such, its discussions remain confidential. Nowhere do the joint rules or the legislation make provision for sources or members who do not serve on the JSCI to provide information to anyone on closed meetings of the JSCI. This matter of a possible breach of confidentiality will therefore be tabled before the JSCI at its earliest convenience for decision and consideration.

The Intelligence Oversight Act empowers the Committee to ask any cabinet member to appear before them and this request we put to the President as well. We extend our appreciation to President Zuma for always availing himself to make time in his busy schedule to meet with the JSCI.

Statement issued by Parliament on behalf of Cornelia September, Chairperson of the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence, 18 January 2016