Statement on Cabinet Meeting: Appointment of Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, 29 March 2006

President Thabo Mbeki today informed a joint meeting of Cabinet Committees that he had appointed, with immediate effect, Mr Manala Manzini as Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA). The appointment, in accordance with Section 85 (2)(e) of the Constitution and Section 3 of the Intelligence Services Act, is for a term of three years.

Mr Manzini has been the acting head of NIA for the past few months.

The President and Cabinet wish Mr Manzini well in his new position, and they are confident that he will acquit himself with distinction in the professional service of our country and its people.

The Joint Cabinet Committees meeting, with the status of a Cabinet meeting, was convened to adopt details on the Programme of Action for 2006. The programme is being finalised in the light of today's discussion and will be placed on the government website in the next few days.

For further enquiries contact:
Joel Netshitenzhe
Cell: 082 900 0083

Lorna Daniels
Cell: 082 418 3389

Issued by: Government Communications (GCIS)
29 March 2006