Minister of Intelligence Ronnie Kasrils said on Wednesday he is not available for reappointment after his resignation.
”I am resigning from Parliament and therefore have informed the president-elect, Mr Kgalema Motlanthe, that as much as I support and respect him, I am unavailable for reappointment,” he said in a statement.
”[I] believe that it is necessary to step aside so as to allow the new president to select his own Cabinet in an unencumbered manner.”
He said he would cooperate with the incoming minister and administration to ensure a smooth handover.
”I will be available as a private citizen to assist them if they call on me to do so.”
He said he had also endeavoured to ensure the morale and discipline of the ministerial staff and civilian intelligence services were maintained.
Kasrils thanked President Thabo Mbeki for his ”inspired leadership” and the confidence he had placed in him by appointing him to ministerial positions for two terms of office.
Summing up his tenure, Kasrils said significant progress had been made in the civilian intelligence services. He said a report by a ministerial review commission on intelligence services was ready for public release after two quotes dealing with intelligence methods were removed.
The publication of the report is now in the hands of the commission. The document had both critical and positive things to say of his department. Kasrils said he did not agree with all the commission’s findings or recommendations. — Sapa