"The presidency will only make an announcement once they have completed processes," NIA spokeswoman Lorna Daniels said last night.

The DA said it would oppose the reported appointment of Mo Shaik, one of President Jacob Zuma's closest advisers.

The move would "fan political flames" in the NIA, party MP Theo Coetzee said yesterday. "The Democratic Alliance believes that Mo Shaik is the wrong person for head of the NIA and we will oppose his nomination."

According to weekend newspapers, the contract of the current head, Manala Manzini, expires today.

According to Coetzee: "The appointment of Mo Shaik, who is an important political ally and close personal friend of President Jacob Zuma, would no doubt fan political flames within the NIA.

"Mo Shaik is deeply involved in faction fights within the ruling party, and we must therefore assume that his appointment will further politicise the NIA."

Zuma had "set about deploying all those people most loyal to him, to key positions in the state".

"… these cadres are being deployed to positions which should be independent of the state and to positions which, at the very least, should be defined by that person's expertise as opposed to their political credentials." - Sapa

With acknowledgements to Sapa and The Mercury.