22 March 2006
Cabinet today considered a report on the consolidation of the Commuter Rail
Services, including the sale of Metrorail as a going concern to the SA Rail
Commuter Corporation (SARCC). An agreement in this regard has been signed
between Transnet and the SARCC. The meeting agreed that the date for such
transfer should be adjusted from 1 April to 1 May 2006, in order, among others,
to finalise outstanding issues among all the affected parties.
The meeting agreed on the need to speed up the process to facilitate market
access for small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs), in particular the
identification of frequently-used products for procurement by government, which
should be set aside for this purpose. Further, it was agreed that departments
would need to be more rigorous in adhering to the 30-day payment rule, which is
critical to the survival of many such enterprises.
The meeting was briefed on the investigation by the Inspector-General of
Intelligence Services (IG) into the authenticity of allegedly intercepted
âe-mail communicationâ among public figures. The meeting noted the findings of
the IG that these âe-mailsâ were fabricated mock-ups that were not and could
not have been communicated over the world-wide web. Overwhelming evidence,
supported by independent expert testimony, points to the fact that the
âe-mailsâ and chat-room conversations were patently fraudulent.
Cabinet agreed that all relevant administrative, legal and policy issues
deriving from the report should be followed up and, where required, Cabinet
would be briefed on progress in this regard.
The meeting was also informed that the President had decided to terminate
the services of the suspended head of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA),
Mr Billy Lesedi Masetlha, with effect from today, 22 March 2006. This decision,
Cabinet was informed, derives from the Presidentâs determination that the
relationship of trust between him and the head of NIA had irreparably broken
down.
The IG and the Minister for Intelligence Services will brief the Joint
Standing Committee on Intelligence, the management and personnel of the
intelligence agencies and the media on the details of the findings in due
course.
The meeting reflected on the report of the Auditor-General (AG) on
Declarations of Interest by members of the Executive and senior public
servants. With regard to members of the Executive, it emerged that:
* of the 15 interests not declared, six of these were in private companies,
three in close corporations and six in Section 21 Companies;
* most of the members had resigned as directors/members of the companies, but
the Companies and Intellectual Property Registration Office (CIPRO) database
still had their names; and
* those in Section 21 companies had been uncertain about the requirement to
declare these directorships, especially where they were appointed by government
in relation to government work, with no accruing benefits.
The meeting expressed concern that, although the AG does acknowledge these
facts including that the CIPRO database was not timeously updated, a wrong
impression was being created in public discourse that these members of the
Executive had misled Parliament and the public. It was agreed that, where
necessary, the members concerned would clarify these issues with Parliament and
the media.
With regard to the cases of senior managers, the Minister of Public Service
and Administration, working with the Public Service Commission, will indicate
the process to be followed in dealing with the alleged breaches.
Cabinet noted the progress that has been made in Burundi, Côte dâIvoire, the
Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Sudan to bring peace and democracy.
In order to continue supporting these processes, Cabinet agreed:
* that the deployment of 950 members of South African National Defence Force
(SANDF) as part of the United Nations (UN) Operation in Burundi (ONUB) would be
extended to 31 March 2007;
* to extend, until 31 March 2007, the deployment of 46 members of SANDF in
support of the Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) and
mediation process in Côte dâIvoire;
* to extend the existing deployment of 110 SANDF members and deploy 14 more
members (bringing the total to 124) in the DRC, until 31 March 2007, in support
of two projects for the integration and military training of the Armed Forces
of the DRC; and
* to extend the deployment of 339 SANDF members as part of the African Union
(AU) Mission in the Sudan (AMIS) until 31 March 2007.
The meeting also approved the deployment of 371 SANDF members, from 15 March
to 30 June 2006, as part of the AU Military Force in the Comoros to assist in
ensuring a secure environment conducive to credible, free and fair Presidential
elections.
The meeting noted that 10 tons of DDT had been donated to Mozambique to
assist that country in the campaign to control malaria. South Africa will also
assist with training in the safe handling, application and monitoring of the
use of insecticides in keeping with guidelines of the World Health Organisation
(WHO).
Amendments to the Tobacco Products Control Act were approved for submission
to Parliament, taking into account the need to tighten such controls in order
to discourage smoking and protect non-smoking citizens.
The meeting endorsed the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organisation (UNESCO) Convention and agreed that South Africa would submit its
instrument of ratification as a matter of urgency. In this regard, the
Convention instrument would be submitted to Parliament for consideration.
The following appointments were approved:
* extension of the contract of Dr I Mosala, Director-General: Arts and Culture
for a period of one year;
* two Deputy Directors-General (DDGs) in National Treasury; and
* Ms Cheryl Carolus (Chairperson) and other members of the Board of South
African National Parks.
Cabinet noted that South Africa would host the African Film Summit from 3 to
6 April 2006. The Summit is an initiative of the Department of Arts and Culture
and the National Film and Video Foundation in association with the Pan African
Federation of Filmmakers (FEPACI), endorsed by the AU and the New Partnership
for Africa's Development (NEPAD) Secretariat. The Summit will take forward the
appeal of the AU for governments, the private sector and civil society to take
appropriate steps to establish an African Commission on audiovisual and
television programmes on the continent. The Summit will be followed by a
General Congress of FEPACI on 6 April.
The meeting noted preparations for Imbizo Focus Week between 6 and 13 April,
which will provide a platform for national and provincial leaders, with
newly-elected municipal councillors, to interact with the public on the
development of municipal Integrated Development Plans in line with the national
Programme of Action and Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative for South
Africa (AsgiSA). This will also assist preparations for municipal Growth and
Development Summits, which are meant to be held during the coming year.
For further information contact:
Joel Netshitenzhe
Cell: 082 900 0083
Issued by: Government Communications (GCIS)
22 March 2006
