World

Indian-origin Muslim appointed intelligence officer of South Africa

South Africa’s parliament appointed Imtiaz Ahmed Fazel, an Indian-origin Muslim intelligence service officer as the Inspector-General of Intelligence (IGI).

Having legislated power in South Africa’s three main intelligence services, the IGI is empowered to investigate allegations of abuse in the State Security Agency, Military Intelligence and the Crime Intelligence division of the South African Police Services.

25 applicants had qualified for the job. Out of them 12 candidates were short-listed for interviews. The National Assembly (NA) approved Fazel’s nomination, however, the appointment still has to be officially confirmed by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

The position has been vacant since March 15 this year, after the term of the former head of the IGI, Setlhomamaru Isaac Dintwe ended.

Fazel, who will take up the position, has a long history of service in the Intelligence Services. He started out as a consultant in the then Ministry of Intelligence Service between 1997 and 2002.

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