Statement on Cabinet meeting - 8 November

9 November 2006

Cabinet would like to thank the many thousands of our citizens who
participated in Izimbizo around the country during the recent Imbizo Week to
discuss service delivery challenges. A total of 400 Izimbizo were held and 18
Cabinet Ministers, 15 Deputy Ministers, Mayors, Premiers and Councillors
interacted with communities in every corner of our country. This is a clear
indication that our democracy is reaching a higher level as the executive
regularly gets the opportunity to listen to and to be held accountable by our
citizens. All matters raised during the Izimbizo will receive urgent attention
from government.

The Cabinet meeting considered progress reports from the Cabinet clusters on
the implementation of the Programme of Action as part of the preparations for
the January Cabinet Lekgotla. Media briefings will be held on the Programme of
Action in the next two weeks.

The 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children will take
place from 25 November to 10 December. It will take its message to grassroots
level and beyond the borders of South Africa. The 16 Days Campaign will also
strengthen our partnership against AIDS, since the vulnerability of women is a
key factor in the spread of the HIV infection.

Cabinet calls on everyone to support the 16 Days of Activism campaign by,
among other things, wearing the white ribbon to raise awareness and demonstrate
support for our women and children. Wearing the ribbon tells victims and
survivors of abuse that we are all united in the fight against all forms of
abuse against women and children.

The meeting noted that the recently held Forum on China-Africa Co-operation
was a success and had cemented the economic ties between China and the rest of
the continent. The outcome of the Summit will, among other things, add impetus
to the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) initiative and its
sustainability.

Cabinet noted the judgment of the Supreme Court of Appeal in the matter of
Schabir Shaik. Cabinet reaffirmed its respect for all decisions of the
judiciary and expressed its unqualified respect for the rule of law. We are
confident that all South Africans will continue to embrace our Constitution and
the independence of the judiciary. Our judges must perform their duties with
the full knowledge that our Constitution, the supreme law of the land,
guarantees their independence and their right to apply the law to the best of
their abilities. In this regard, our judiciary must know that it enjoys the
full confidence of Cabinet. Equally, our citizens must know that the
judiciary's principal task is to uphold the laws of the land and to ensure that
all of us are treated equally before these laws. Any unjustified, racial and
ill-informed attacks on the judiciary are both regrettable and unwelcome.

Cabinet noted media allegations against the National Commissioner of the
South African Police Services. Government wishes to express its confidence in
the Commissioner, noting that the allegations were investigated by the
Independent Complaints Directorate (ICD) and found to be baseless. The Minister
of Safety and Security is dealing with this matter and has stated his
willingness to consider any new information that could be brought forward in
this regard. We call on all parties to resist the temptation of seeking cheap
publicity at the expense of an innocent person.

Cabinet, on behalf of all South Africans, wishes to convey best wishes to
the national rugby team in their match against Ireland over the weekend. We
trust that the boys will do South Africa proud and defeat the Irish as they did
100 years ago.

Cabinet received a progress report on the finalisation of Codes of Good
Practice for Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) and noted that the
codes will be finalised in December. An inter-departmental task team will be
set up to finalise the codes and report back to Cabinet.

The following appointments were approved:

* One year extension of employment contract of the Chief Financial Officer
(CFO) of the South African Post Office, Mr NJD Buick
* Mr HN Gumede, Deputy Director-General (DDG) in the Department of Minerals and
Energy
* Mr MK Maphisa, DDG in the Department of Housing
* Mr S Zulu, DDG in the Ministry of Housing
* Mr KLG Terry, Strategy and Operations in the Presidency
* Dr MS Rampedi, DDG in the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry
* Mr AS Theron, Regional Commissioner, Western Cape Correctional Services
* Mr T Marais, DDG in the Department of Agriculture.

Further, Cabinet approved the following appointments to the International
Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank with effect from 1 March 2007.

* Mr G Aboobaker was approved as a candidate for appointment as a Senior
Advisor in the office of the Africa Group 1 Constituency's Executive Director
in the IMF
* Mr D Mogajane as a candidate for appointment as Senior Advisor in the office
of the Africa Group 1 Constituency's Executive Director in World Bank.

Board appointments:

* The term of office of the members of the South African Diamond Board was
extended until 30 June 2007, or until the Diamonds Amendment Act is
proclaimed.

The meeting noted that Mr Linda Mti, the National Commissioner of the
Department of Correctional Services resigned at the beginning of the month. His
resignation has been accepted and he will be leaving the public service at the
end of November 2006.

The meeting passed a motion of condolence on the passing away of the former
Prime Minister and State President PW Botha and noted that President Thabo
Mbeki attended the funeral on behalf of the government and people of South
Africa.

Enquiries:
Themba Maseko
Cell: 083 645 0810

Issued by: Government Communication and Information System (GCIS)
9 November 2006