Critical Infrastructure Council recommendations: Interviews Day 1

Meeting report

The Chairperson noted the Committee would be interviewing four candidates today for the Critical Infrastructure Council. There are 20 shortlisted candidates the Committee will interview. From the 20 the Committee must recommend 10 candidates from whom the Minister will appoint five members. The candidates had to be vetted by the State Security Agency before the interviews could be conducted. This vetting process took longer than expected due to the backlog at the State Security Agency. One of the candidates was extremely ill and she may not make it for physical interview and a virtual interview could be considered. However, the Committee will seek legal advice on this before making a decision.

The commencement of interviews was delayed due to logistics being dealt with by the support staff.

The Committee interviewed the following candidates in person:
Mr Takalani Thovhakale
Mr Grant Son
Ms Nomveliso Ntanjana
Mr Lephty Gabaganenwe

Question 1
The Chairperson asked the candidate to provide background, qualifications and work experience and why the person 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 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 said the Committee will have to deliberate on the matter of one of the ill candidates and that all avenues should be explored to ensure that the candidate was interviewed. She proposed that the candidate be interviewed on 11 June after the virtual Committee meeting, only if legal advice gives the Committee the green light. Otherwise, the Committee can schedule another day for the candidate to be interviewed. Members should retain their scoring sheets until the end of the all the scheduled interviews on 10 June.

The meeting was adjourned.