Wiseman Khuzwayo
DR NEIL Barnard, director-general of the department of constitutional development and former chief of the National Intelligence Service, is considering taking up an offer of an academic post with the University of Potchefstroom.
Barnard confirmed this week that the university recently approached him to apply for the post of head of the department of political science. He discounted rumours that he was unhappy about having to re-apply for his current post, which, like those of all directors-general, are being advertised in terms of new government policy.
Barnard told the Mail & Guardian he wanted to stress emphatically that he wanted to remain in public service.
“As you know, my job was advertised and I will most certainly be applying for it. However, I do not want the news of the approach from the university to be seen as an attempt by me to blackmail the government to give me my job back.”