Overview

• The Presidency announced the suspension on Wednesday night, stating it takes immediate effect and will remain in place until Parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence concludes its investigation.
• The JSCI notified President Cyril Ramaphosa that it received a complaint about Imtiaz Fazel’s conduct and is investigating under Section 7(4) of the Intelligence Services Act.
• Citing Section 7(5), the Presidency said the law permits the President to suspend the Inspector‑General while the JSCI inquiry is underway.
• Details of the complaint have not been disclosed publicly, and the Presidency has not indicated who will serve as acting inspector‑general.
• Fazel, appointed in November 2022 for a five‑year term, oversees the SSA, Defence Intelligence, and SAPS Crime Intelligence, with media noting recent Crime Intelligence testimony though any connection to the complaint remains unconfirmed.