26 June 2007
Cabinet held its ordinary meeting this morning, 26 June 2007 in
Pretoria.
The meeting received progress reports from Cabinet Committees on the
implementation of Government's Programme of Action. Cluster media briefings
will be held during the week beginning 2 July to inform the public about
progress in implementing the programme.
Cabinet noted the publication by The Presidency of the Development
Indicators Mid Term Review, as part of the establishment of a government-wide
monitoring and evaluation system. The indicators show an overall picture of
progress together with some major challenges. The meeting agreed that the
indicators should be made widely available in an accessible form as part of
government's commitment to transparency and democratic accountability. The
publication is available on Government Online website https://www.gov.za.
The meeting noted that the Pan African Infrastructure Development Fund will
be launched during the African Union summit in Ghana. The Fund, with its Head
Office in South Africa, has raised capital (US$625 million) for investment in
infrastructure on the African Continent. With a target of US$1 billion, it will
be the largest infrastructure fund ever established on the continent. It will
help dispel notions of Africa as a high-risk investment destination. South
Africa's Public Investment Commission has played a leading role in establishing
the fund.
Cabinet noted that South Africa will host the 46th annual session of
Asian-African Legal Consultative Organisation from 30 June to 6 July in Cape
Town. The Commission serves as an advisory body to its Member States in the
field of international law and as a forum for Asian-African co-operation in
legal matters of common concern.
Cabinet noted that today is International Day against Substance Abuse and
Drug Trafficking. The day is being marked by events across the country
including the launch of a school-based prevention and early intervention
programme. The objective is to build awareness of the issues and to mobilise
stakeholders in the fight against drugs.
In the context of recent incidents in the Western Cape, Cabinet reiterated
the urgency of police action to deal with the scourge of substance abuse and
illicit drug trafficking. The meeting also urged communities not to take the
law into their own hands but to work closely with the law enforcement agencies
in implementing government's programme to deal with this scourge.
Cabinet approved the re-designation of the World Health Organisation (WHO)
country representative from WHO Liaison to WHO Representative. The Department
of Health will work with the WHO to select a suitable candidate for this
post.
The meeting approved the implementation of the International Health
Regulations (IHR) relating to pandemic influenza and the designation of the
National IHR Focal Point for the management of and prevention of the spread of
such diseases. These regulations provide the legal framework for the global
community to improve the management of acute health risks that could spread
internationally and to help contain these at source. The department of health
will implement these regulations with immediate effect.
The following appointments were approved:
* Mr Trevor Fowler's contract as the Chief Operations Officer in the
Presidency was extended for another three years.
* Cabinet concurred with the appointment of Dr P Matlou as the Chief Executive
Officer of the Africa Institute of South Africa (AISA)
* Mr M Vilana, Deputy Director-General: Department of Transport (Transport
Logistics and Corridor Development)
* Dr M Koorts, Deputy Director-General: Department of Transport (Public Entity
Oversight)
The Local Government Laws Amendment Bill was approved for submission to
Parliament.
Enquiries:
Themba Maseko
Government Spokesperson
Cell: 083 645 0810
Issued by: Government Communications (GCIS)
26 June 2007
