JSCI REFUTES FALSE MEDIA REPORT ON APPOINTMENT PROCESS OF INSPECTOR GENERAL OF INTELLIGENCE

Parliament, Thursday, 04 June 2015 – The Chairperson of the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence (JSCI), Ms Cornelia September, has noted the media reports on the appointment process to be used by the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence to interview candidates for the position of Inspector-General of Intelligence.

The Chairperson has noted the article in Beeld today and wishes to exercise the right of reply to the incorrect article about the Committee. What is blatantly false and incorrect is a decision that the JSCI is proceeding with a secret appointment process of the inspector general.

“We wish to set the record straight in that the JSCI exercised its discretion in terms of the Intelligence Oversight Act and relevant joint rules of Parliament. We met as a sub-committee to shortlist candidates and later the same day as full Committee of the JSCI in the open to confirm the decision of the sub-committee yesterday. We reiterate the decision of the JSCI that the interviews will commence in an open session,” said Ms September.

She added: “I wish to state that the JSCI has decided that the process of shortlisting candidates and the interviews of those shortlisted for the position of Inspector-General of Intelligence will be open to the public. Media reports to the contrary are incorrect. I also wish to extend my gratitude to the parties represented on the JSCI for supporting this decision.”

Statement issued by Cornelia September, Chairperson of the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence, June 4 2015