17 May 2006
At its meeting today Cabinet was briefed on preparations for the June
national election in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The meeting
approved a request from the government of the DRC for South Africa to assist in
the electoral process, including provision of resources to the DRC's
Independent Electoral Commission. An Inter-Ministerial Committee comprising
Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Defence, Provincial and Local Government, Public
Service and Administration, Safety and Security and National Intelligence has
been set up to co-ordinate the assistance.
The meeting noted the termination of the South African National Defence
Force (SANDF) deployment in Burundi as part of the African Union (AU)
Protection Force. The time frames for the withdrawal will be handled in
accordance with the AU Protection's Force's operational decisions. As requested
by the leadership of Burundi and the East African region, South Africa will
continue to assist in facilitating participation by all concerned parties in
the peace process.
The following Bills were approved for submission to Parliament:
* National Sport and Recreation Amendment Bill;
* 2010 FIFA World Cup SA Special Measures Bill; and
* Firearms Control Amendment Bill.
The meeting also approved the submission for Parliament's ratification, of
the AU Convention on the Prevention and Combating of Terrorism and the United
Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Convention
on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions.
Cabinet noted preparations for the United Nations (UN) General Assembly
Special Session on HIV and AIDS, and it welcomed the progress that has been
made in our country in implementing a comprehensive programme to combat the
pandemic. While much more needs to be done in this regard, the advances in
promoting awareness and behaviour change including use of condoms, expansion of
accredited health facilities providing AIDS-related services, recruitment and
training of health professionals, provision of nutritional supplements as well
as home- and community-based care - all these are cause for hope.
Government will be scaling up communication and social mobilisation on this
issue, and the budget for the campaign over a two-year period has been
increased from R160m to R200m. Further, with 134 473 people initiated on
antiretroviral (ARV) treatment by the end of March, and an estimated additional
80 000 initiated in the private and non-governmental organisation (NGO) sector,
South Africa today has the largest antiretroviral treatment (ART) programme in
the world.
Cabinet welcomed the fact that the South African National AIDS Council
(SANAC) had at its recent meeting agreed on intensified joint action in a
variety of areas. SANAC also agreed on how all South African delegates to the
United Nations General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) would co-operate in
ensuring that the objectives of the fight against HIV and AIDS within South
Africa and internationally are advanced.
The meeting agreed that South Africa should become an official member of the
Commonwealth Foundation. The Foundation was established in 1965 as a charitable
Trust promoting professional co-operation among Commonwealth countries,
including support for NGOs, professional associations and cultural
activities.
Cabinet received a report on protest action related to the strike in the
private security industry. Cabinet once more condemned in the strongest terms
the acts of violence and vandalism by some demonstrators. These actions are not
only inimical to the interests of the workers, but also undermine the freedoms
enshrined in our Constitution. Government welcomes the firm action that has
been taken by security agencies to deal with the violence, and further urges
them to ensure that those responsible are brought to book. We also call on the
employers and the union to co-operate with the processes that have been put in
place to resolve their differences.
The meeting also noted plans for a national strike around issues of
unemployment and poverty. As is common knowledge, government is working with
all social partners in the implementation of Accelerated and Shared Growth
Initiative for South Africa AsgiSA, including in implementation structures such
as Joint Initiative for Priority Skills Acquisition (JIPSA). It is therefore
government's firm view that such strike action is not only unwarranted, but
also counter-productive. Within government, the standard principle of "no work,
no pay" will apply.
Cabinet noted efforts being made to resolve the situation with regard to the
N2 housing development in Cape Town. The Minister of Housing is consulting
stakeholders on mechanisms to facilitate the speeding up of this project and
the management of allocation of the housing units, and will make relevant
announcements in due course.
Having received a report on the implementation of Immigration Regulations,
Cabinet agreed that the Minister of Home Affairs should use her discretion to
extend the duration of the Intra-Company Transfer Permit; that clear policy
guidelines needed to be developed as a matter of urgency on transit visas; that
the drive to improve turn-around times for the processing of permits should be
intensified; and that special capacity should be created in the Department of
Home Affairs to deal with the issuing of Permanent Residence Permits. It was
agreed that the Minister would regularly brief Cabinet on these and related
issues.
Cabinet agreed with a proposal to develop the following Legacy Projects:
* Mangaung Hall where the African National Congress (ANC) was founded;
* Bram Fischer's home; and
* JR Tolkien's home.
It approved the appointment of members of the Board of Transnet.
Cabinet noted preparations for the South Africa-United Kingdom (SA-UK)
Bilateral Forum during the course of next week. Delegations to the Forum will
be led by the President and the UK Prime Minister, and issues for consideration
include the strengthening of partnership for faster and shared growth in South
Africa, support for the African agenda including implementation of the G8
Gleneagles Commitments, and co-operation between South Africa and the UK in
specific projects to promote peace and development in Africa.
The meeting was briefed on preparations for the launch on 29 May of Youth
Month (June), which will coincide with the 30th anniversary of the June 16
Uprising. The period will be used not only to honour those who took part in the
struggle for quality education and democracy, but also to review the
implementation of youth development programmes since 1994. Various activities
have been planned, focussing on youth participation in the implementation of
AsgiSA.
Cabinet noted the completion of the Johannesburg trial of former Deputy
President Jacob Zuma and reiterated government's respect for the outcome of the
court process. We also welcome the fact that the overwhelming majority of South
Africans have accepted the outcome. In this regard, Cabinet rejected
insinuations that any member of the Executive or employee of the state may have
been involved in illegal underhand activities in the processes leading up to
the trial.
The meeting also noted with concern reckless suggestions in some media that
information published recently on the death of the former Deputy President's
wife had originated from The Presidency. This is untrue, and enquiries have
confirmed that the newspaper concerned has had access to inquest documents
which are not in the possession of The Presidency. Government is of the view
that the airing of such private matters in public is irresponsible, repugnant
and distasteful.
For further information contact:
Joel Netshitenzhe
Cell: 082 900 0083
Issued by: Government Communications (GCIS)
17 May 2006
