31 May 2006
Cabinet today received an update on progress in the implementation of the
Taxi Recapitalisation Programme. The work being done in the current period
includes the establishment soon of a Scrapping Agency, further capacitation of
Operating Licensing Boards in the provinces to speed up conversion of permits
to operating licences and examination of compliance with safety requirements
and colour coding.
The meeting reaffirmed that today, 31 May, constitutes the cut-off date for
submission of applications to convert the permits. In this regard, government
wishes to congratulate the overwhelming majority of taxi operators (about 85%)
who have complied with this requirement; and welcomes the fact that SANTACO has
not requested postponement of this date nor is it opposed to the programme as
such. This creates conditions for movement to new phases of the programme.
Cabinet agreed that, because some operators may have, for reasons not of
their own doing, not been able to submit applications, these operators should
be allowed to do so beyond today. This will be on condition that they are able
to demonstrate in writing that they were constrained by circumstances beyond
their control.
Further, the Ministers of Transport and Safety and Security will finalise
gazetted directives on the policing of the minibus taxi industry, taking into
account the need not to prejudice those who missed the deadline for reasons not
of their own making.
Cabinet noted the Report on Apartheid Grand Corruption which has emanated
from the National Anti-Corruption Forum. While the report was not commissioned
by government and uses research methodology that may not have produced
exhaustive data, the meeting was of the view that it did raise pertinent issues
including matters relating to government assets. It was agreed that, in taking
the matters further, government would do so taking into account normal legal
requirements and post-TRC initiatives.
The meeting concurred with the following appointments:
* Paul Baloyi as CEO of the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA);
* Phineas Phogole Tjie as CEO of the Government Employees Pension Fund
(GEPF);
* L Manala as Chairperson of the SA Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) and other
members of the Board;
* Ms KST Matthews as Non-Executive Director in the Telkom Board;
* 2 DDGs in the Department of Social Development (one in the SA Social Security
Agency); and
* Extension of contract of the CEO of the Government Printing Works for a
period of 3 years.
Cabinet received a detailed report on work done to assist communities who
were affected by the recent flood disaster in the Bophirima District in the
Northwest Province. The meeting agreed with the implementation plan dealing
with short -term measures, and processes to develop medium- and long-term
interventions. It urged relevant agencies to act with speed on all
interventions required, given the current winter conditions. Government wishes
to express its appreciation of the positive response and co-operation of the
community, including traditional leaders, farmers and other business-people and
the local media.
The meeting noted the final draft of South Africaâs African Peer Review
Mechanism Country Self-Assessment Report, and agreed that, where necessary,
relevant departments would submit input for consideration by the National
Governing Council. Government wishes to thank the mass of South Africans,
NGOâs, research institutions, government departments and other structures which
have played a critical role in compiling the draft, which, after finalisation,
will be submitted to the APRM Secretariat in mid-June.
Cabinet also noted that, contrary to the spirit of the open and consultative
Peer Review Process, statements were made during the course of last week about
the character of our democracy and the place and role of The Presidency in its
evolution. The meeting rejected suggestions that our democracy was under threat
from such hoary tendencies as âmarginalisation of Parliamentâ, âcentralisation
of power in The Presidencyâ and âa slide towards dictatorshipâ.
False assertions of this kind are not only fulminations of the imagination;
but also do not reflect the views of the majority of South Africans, as shown
during the Peer Review Process, successive elections, izimbizo and other
interactions with the public.
Cabinet noted the various activities, in the context of Child Protection
Week, aimed at increasing awareness among South Africans to protect children
and promote their well-being. Since 1994, government has introduced various
programmes to improve the quality of life of SAâs children. These include
providing the Child Support Grant to over 7-million children and the Foster
Care Grant to 300 000 children; improving access to quality education and the
school feeding scheme; providing free health care for children under 6 years of
age; and outlawing corporal punishment in educational institutions. The Child
Protection Week is a call to action, for all South Africans to heed the
message: Every child is my child, and child protection is everyoneâs
business.
For further information, contact:
Joel Netshitenzhe
082 900 0083
Issued by: Government Communications (GCIS)
31 May 2006
