24 August 2006
At its meeting yesterday Cabinet approved, in principle, the Anti-crime
Campaign as proposed by Business Against Crime and agreed that relevant
departments should participate actively in the campaign. The proposed campaign
seeks to mobilise all South Africans to join hands with the South African
Police Service (SAPS) in the fight against crime and to restore public
confidence in the criminal justice system. The campaign will be discussed
further at the meeting of the Presidential Big Business Working Group tomorrow
in Cape Town.
The meeting discussed issues pertaining to state-owned forestry assets and
agreed to retain ownership of the commercial forests that are managed by
Komatiland Forests for the foreseeable future. A comprehensive review of the
South African Forestry Company Limitedâs (SAFCOL) strategy will be undertaken
by the Department of Public Enterprises.
Cabinet noted the recent Constitutional Court rulings and resolved to
consider their implications for the policy making and legislative processes at
a future Cabinet meeting.
The meeting discussed the disposal of Capital Radio which has not been
operational for some time. It was agreed that the station should not be sold;
that the equipment should be donated to the Walter Sisulu University and the
record library be donated to community radio stations.
Cabinet noted the impact of false allegations that were made at the
International AIDS Congress about South Africaâs comprehensive HIV and AIDS
programme. During the Congress, various parties insinuated that the government
did not have a comprehensive programme on HIV and AIDS. Nothing could be
further from the truth. For instance, in his report to the United Nations (UN)
General Assembly Special Session on HIV and AIDS, the UN Secretary General
commended South Africa for tripling its resource allocation for HIV and AIDS
programmes, since the adoption of the UN Declaration in 2001. Public sector
expenditure on HIV and AIDS has increased substantially over the years as it
grew from R30 million in 1994 to over R3 billion in 2005/06. This increased
expenditure is making it possible for us to make progress on all fronts,
namely, prevention, treatment, care and support of those who are infected or
affected by HIV and AIDS.
Cabinet decided that work should be done, locally and abroad, to enhance
understanding of our comprehensive HIV and AIDS programme to address any doubts
about governmentâs commitment to the fight against HIV and AIDS.
Lastly, we condemn the conduct of all those who were involved in the
destruction of the South African stand at the Congress. This behaviour is
totally unacceptable and does nothing to advance their cause. Ways must and
will be found to strengthen the partnership in the fight against HIV and AIDS
in this country and the continent.
The meeting noted the forthcoming Global Environment Facility Assembly which
will be hosted by South Africa from 28 August to 1 September. The Assembly will
be an opportunity to strengthen the link between the global environmental
agenda and sustainable development, and to advance implementation of
commitments from the World Summit on Sustainable Development.
Cabinet welcomed the release of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) figures
which indicated that the economy had grown by 4,9 percent, up from four percent
in the first quarter. This confirms once again that the countryâs growth and
development path was on track.
The following bills were approved for submission to Parliament:
* Accreditation for Conformity Assessment, Calibration and Good Laboratory
Practice Bill
* Civil Unions Bill
* Film and Publications Bill
* Further Education and Training Colleges Bill
* Housing Consumer Protection Measures Amendment Bill
* Immigration Amendment Bill
* Measurement Units and Measurement Standards Bill
* Postal Services Amendment Bill
* Public Service Amendment Bill
* Safety in Sports and Recreation Events Bill.
With regard to the Film and Publications Bill, Cabinet noted the
reservations that have been raised in the media about the deletion of the
clause which exempted sections of the media from the ambit of the old Act. We
would like to reiterate that the Government has no intention whatsoever of
muzzling the media in any way, and that this position will not change. However,
Cabinet took the view that the Bill must be published in its current form and
that public discourse must be allowed before the Bill is promulgated. The
relevant government departments were directed by Cabinet to engage with the
South African National Editors Forum (SANEF), and other parties, to discuss
their concerns about the Bill. We would like to give the assurance that all
views will be considered before the Bill is passed.
Cabinet discussed the Civil Unions Bill which will be tabled in Parliament
shortly. This Bill takes into account the Constitutional Court judgment which
found that the common law definition of marriage in the Marriage Act of 1961
was unconstitutional, insofar as it failed to give the same status, benefits
and responsibilities to same-sex unions that marriage accorded to heterosexual
couples. The Bill also provides for the recognition of domestic partnerships
between adults, whether of same or different sex, who had not concluded a
marriage or civil partnership. The legal consequences of such a partnership
will be spelled out and recognised in law once the Bill is passed by
Parliament. Cabinet noted that this Bill was likely to generate much public
debate but at the end of the day, the decision of the Constitutional Court must
be respected by everyone.
The following appointments were approved:
* Dr Ayanda Ntsaluba as Director-General in the Department of Foreign
Affairs for a further three years
* Dr Mark Orkin as Director-General of the South African Management Development
Institute (SAMDI)
* Two Deputy Directors-General (DDGs) in the South African Social Security
Agency and one DDG in the Dept of Social Development
* Council of the South African Bureau of Standards: Dr T Demana; Ms B Masako;
Ms W Poulton; Mr A Mabizela; Mr B Sibisi and Mr MJ Kuskus
* Board of the South African National Accreditation System: Dr L Lotter; Mr P
Govender; Mr S Sidney; Dr E Meintjies; Mr P Pereira; Mr J Malatse; Mr O
Kaakunga; Mr M Peet (Executive); Mr S MacCurtain (Executive) and Dr T
Demana
* Board of Directors of the Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority: Mr M Gantsho
(Chairperson); Ms L Mthembu; Ms L Sithole; Ms E Malefane; Ms A Makwetla; Ms R
Mbewana; Mr L. Maasdorp; Mr T Dumas; Mr S Kondlo; Ms P Mothibi; Mr L Rotanyana
and; Ms M Janse van Rensburg
* Board of the Road Accident Fund (re-appointed); Dr D Baloyi (Chairperson); Mr
V Mahlangu; Mr J Modise (Chief Executive Officer); Mr T Moyo; Prof C Greef; Dr
A Dasoo; Ms K Moloto-Stofile; Ms G Motau; Mr S Msibi and Ms K
Mabuse-Manana.
For further information, please contact:
Themba J Maseko
Government Spokesperson
Cell: 083 645 0810
Issued by: Government Communication and Information System (GCIS)
24 August 2006
