Critical Infrastructure Council recommendations: Interviews Day 2

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Police

09 June 2021
Chairperson: Ms M Joemat-Pettersson (ANC)
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Meeting Summary

On the second day of interviews, the Committee interviewed seven candidates for the Critical Infrastructure Council. The interviews were conducted in person and candidates flew in for the interview in Parliament.
The candidates were asked the same questions.

Members asked about the candidate’s background, professional experience and qualifications; understanding of critical infrastructure and why it must be protected in the country; the overall intention of the critical infrastructure protection in reference to the Critical Infrastructure Act; if the public should be allowed in critical infrastructure establishments and be free to take photographs; about the role of the South African Police Services and security agencies with respect to critical infrastructure; key strengths from the technical and leadership perspective the candidate will bring to the Critical Infrastructure Council if he or she is appointed and their focus areas of growth if appointed; if he or she has ever been criminally charged and /or convicted or had serious allegations on corruption, theft, and if the candidate has ever been brought before a disciplinary committee for gross insubordination, absenteeism, or dereliction of duties; issues with child maintenance and perspective on gender-based violence; and how the candidate would manage the stakeholder’s expectations of the Council.

Members also asked a number of follow up questions about the functions of the Critical Infrastructure Council; global cutting edge technologies that South Africa could use to improve and maintain critical infrastructure; conflict of interest; strengthening security measures for critical infrastructure; and what the candidate would do if the rest of the Council took a decision that was against his/her personal convictions or what s/he believed to be wrong.
 

Meeting report

The Chairperson informed the Committee that legal advice had been sought about conducting a virtual interview for Dr Mokgadi Ngoepe-Ntsoane. The virtual interview would be conducted on 10 June.

The Committee interviewed the following candidates:
Ms Keletso Lefothane
Mr Willie Du Preez
Mr Sarel Smit
Mr Nkhangweni Rambau
Mr Eugene van Rooyen
Dr Vincent Mello
Dr Patience Mbava

Interview questions:
Question 1
The Chairperson asked the candidate to talk about his/her background, qualifications, and work experience and why s/he is the best fit for the position.

Question 2
Ms N Peacock (ANC) asked the candidate's understanding of critical infrastructure and why critical infrastructure must be protected in the country. 

Question 3
Ms L Moss (ANC) asked about the intention of critical infrastructure protection in reference to the Critical Infrastructure Act.

Question 4
Mr H Shembeni (EFF) asked if the public should be allowed in critical infrastructure establishments and be free to take photographs. 

Question 5
Mr A Shaik-Emam (NFP) asked about the role of the South African Police Service and security agencies with respect to critical infrastructure. 

Question 6
Ms Z Majozi (IFP) asked about the key challenges faced by the Council and what role it should play in strengthening critical infrastructure. 

Question 7
Mr O Terblanche (DA) asked what key technical and leadership strengths the candidate will bring to the Critical Infrastructure Council if appointed and what will be the areas of focus for growth if appointed.

Question 8
Mr Shaik-Emam asked if the candidate has ever been criminally charged and /or convicted or faced serious allegations of corruption or theft, or appeared before a disciplinary committee for gross insubordination, absenteeism, or dereliction of duties. 

Question 9
Ms Majozi said managing key stakeholder relationships is an important responsibility of the Critical Infrastructure Council. Describe how you would manage stakeholder expectations of the Council.

The Chairperson thanked the candidates and told the candidates that the Committee was not yet aware when the process would be completed as Parliament was on recess. Once Parliament gets back from recess, the Committee must table its 10 preferred candidates to the National Assembly. Those 10 recommendations would then be referred to the from which the Minister would appoint five Council members.  Although the 20 candidates shortlisted for interviews were subjected to vetting, the final 10 would still undergo extensive vetting before the Minister appoints the five.

The meeting was adjourned. 

 

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