29 June 2006
Cabinet met at the Union Buildings, before a brief recess.
Cabinet finalised the two-monthly reports from Cabinet Committees on
implementation of Government's Programme of Action. The media will be briefed
on progress in the POA during the week beginning 2 July 2006 and the Programme
of Action on the government website will be updated.
The meeting examined a strategy for the restructuring of the Road Accident
Fund, proposing amongst other things, the introduction of a no-fault system of
benefits for all victims of road accidents and a Road Accident Fund benefit
scheme intended to improve healthcare outcomes for those injured in road
accidents. Cabinet approved distribution of the document for public
comment.
Cabinet was briefed on the outbreak of Polio in Namibia. It noted that South
Africa had been successful in the eradication of polio within its borders, but
took the view that although no cases had been reported in the country for the
past 15 years; we could not afford to be complacent. The government has been
assisting the Namibian Government in dealing with the outbreak, amongst others
through provision of laboratory test services and vaccine cooler boxes. Cabinet
commended Namibian Government for its speedy intervention.
Cabinet approved the following appointments:
* Mr. Tshediso Matona as Director General for the Department of Trade and
Industry for three years
* Fourteen members of the Board of South African Tourism for three years,
commencing on 1 July
* Four part-time commissioners of the International Trade Administration
Commission (ITAC)
The meeting was briefed on measures needed to meet the Black Economic
Empowerment objectives as and when state-owned enterprises (SOEs) dispose of
assets. A number of SOEs have finalised and others are finalising plans for the
disposal of such non-core assets. The guidelines, which will be published
shortly, will ensure a coherent approach across the relevant public enterprises
reporting to DPE; a clear set of empowerment criteria to the market; and
mechanisms for setting and achieving empowerment targets through disposal of
these non-core assets.
Cabinet welcomed the elections to be held in the Democratic Republic of
Congo on the 30 July 2006. These elections represent for the Congolese what our
1994 elections represented for us and mark the culmination of over ten years of
peace efforts by the people of the DRC. Our IEC, together with a number of
South African institutions and companies have been providing different kinds of
assistance and support. Cabinet expressed its gratitude to the government of
the DRC for affording South Africans the opportunity to make a humble
contribution to this historic process.
Cabinet noted the events leading to the shooting in which four members of
the SAPS lost their lives and eight criminals were shot dead. Government would
like to re-affirm its appreciation of the role of SAPS in fighting crime and to
emphasise the message that crime should not and does not pay. We express our
empathy and condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the fallen
members of the SAPS and call on all South Africans to unite against crime.
Cabinet noted the tragic death of 14 teachers in a road accident in the
North West Province and expressed its condolences with the families, friends,
pupils and colleagues of the teachers. Cabinet expressed its appreciation of
the steps taken by the North West government to support the affected
communities.
The meeting noted that the emblem for the 2010 FIFA World Cup would be
unveiled in Berlin on 7 July 2006. As the 2006 FIFA World Cup reaches its
climax in Germany, the world will be watching us carefully to judge whether we
will be ready to host this prestigious event. Cabinet expressed its confidence
that South Africa will be ready and called on all sectors of our society to
work together in a national effort to ensure that South Africa, working with
the rest of the continent, hosts the best World Cup ever.
Cabinet congratulated the five African countries that represented the
African continent in the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, especially Ghana for
carrying the torch beyond the first round, on behalf of millions of Africans
around the world. Whatever the outcome of individual matches, there cannot be
any doubt that African football has come of age.
Cabinet received a report from the National Security Council (NSC) on the
Khampepe Commission Report into the mandate and location of the Directorate of
Special Operations (DSO). The report had been referred by the President to the
NSC for further consideration. Cabinet endorsed the decisions of the NSC as
reflected in the attached Statement.
For further information contact:
Themba J Maseko
Government Spokesperson
Cell: 083 645 0810
Issued by: Government Communications and Information System (GCIS)
29 June 2006
