Statement on Cabinet meeting 10 October

11 October 2007

Cabinet held its ordinary meeting in Pretoria yesterday, 10 October
2007.

Cabinet took the view that much has already been said regarding the
suspension of the National Director of Public Prosecutions and calls for
patience to be exercised to ensure that the work of the enquiry by Dr Ginwala
is not compromised. The meeting also resolved that there was no need for the
President to make any pronouncements on the matter as such a step could
pre-empt the outcome of the commission. Suggestions that the suspension had
created a constitutional crisis are baseless. Government, under the leadership
of President Mbeki, remains committed to the doctrine of separation of powers
and finds the intimation that suspending the National Director of Public
Prosecutions undermines this doctrine unjustified, misleading and amounts to an
extreme exaggeration.

The meeting reflected on the scare stories and rumours that were distributed
via e-mail and SMS about an alleged tornado that was about to hit parts of
Gauteng on Monday afternoon. These rumours persisted for most of Monday
afternoon despite assurances from the South African Weather Service that,
although a severe storm was on its way, there was no tornado or anything of
that sort that was about to happen. Some employers responded by sending their
staff home early out of a genuine concern for safety. This resulted in panic
and led to huge traffic congestions in many parts of Johannesburg and Pretoria.
Government would like to appeal to all members of the public to be more
vigilant and not react to rumours that may lead to mayhem, damage to property
and an unnecessary loss of life.

Employers and the media are advised to check with the relevant authorities
before sending out messages that could cause unnecessary panic. It would be
prudent for employers and the media to check with the relevant authorities
before broadcasting or publishing information of this nature. Even if there was
some truth in the rumours, sending everyone home at the same time could itself
constitute a disaster. The SA Weather Service is the most reliable and primary
source of information on the weather and we advise everyone to check with them
before sending out messages that could lead to chaos and destruction. The SA
Weather Service can be found at 082 162 and at http://www.weathersa.co.za.

In the light of these developments, Cabinet decided that the National
Disaster Management Centre will be asked to look at ways in which such
situations could be managed better in future with a view to making sure that
clear communication guidelines and procedures are developed and communicated to
the public. The only structures that have the authority to issue warnings to
the public are the SA Weather Service and the National Disaster Management
Centre.

The meeting noted the progress in accelerating the acquisition of scarce and
priority skills and approved that the Joint Initiative on Priority Skills
Acquisition (JIPSA) be extended to the end of 2009. A dedicated unit will be
established in the Department of Education, in collaboration with the
Department of Labour, to co-ordinate this effort and ensure that JIPSA work is
incorporated into the National Human Resources Development Strategy.

South Africa will be hosting the second India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA)
Heads of State summit on 17 October 2007 in Pretoria. The summit comes after
the 62nd session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly where developing
countries reaffirmed the need for collaboration and multilateral approaches in
addressing the challenges of development. The summit will be preceded by
trilateral fora made up of Ministers and senior officials and a business forum
involving at least 200 business people from the three countries.

Trade among the three countries has reached between US$6 and US$7 billion
and the objective is to reach the trilateral target of US$10 billion over the
next three years. At this second summit, the Heads of State will sign
agreements for co-operation in strategic areas such as trade and investment;
international poverty alleviation and social development; trilateral exchange
of information; international best practices; technologies and skills; tourism
and transport.

Cabinet noted that the Department of Transport will host the first African
Union Conference of Ministers responsible for road and rail from 15 to 19
October 2007 and 19 to 21 November 2007 respectively.

During the month of October, a number of activities will take place around
the country to intensify direct interaction between the Executive and the
public. This programme kicked off this past weekend with the Presidential
Imbizo which took place in the Uthukela district in KwaZulu-Natal province.
This month will experience heightened communication between the Executive and
the public on a variety of issues, including Transport and Social Development
events, the national Imbizo week from 22 to 28 October, and the National
Correctional Services Week from 15 to 19 October.

The meeting noted and welcomed the successful rescue of over 3 200
mineworkers who were trapped underground at Elandsrand Gold Mine. The
successful rescue operation brought much relief to families and the entire
population and all those involved are congratulated for their efforts. However,
the incident and the frequent deaths in the mines have raised public concerns
about mine safety and have highlighted the need for urgent steps to be taken by
the industry to improve safety in the mines. The audit of safety in the mines,
as ordered by President Mbeki, will go a long way to ensure that all mines
comply with the safety and health standards as prescribed by the laws of the
country. Government calls on the industry to work with the Department of
Minerals and Energy and other stakeholders to ensure that concrete steps are
taken to prevent the unnecessary loss of life.

Cabinet wishes the best of luck to the more than 599 000 candidates who will
be sitting for the grade 12 examinations around the country. It is hoped that
all the many hours of hard work and sacrifice will pay off. Parents and
teachers are encouraged to continue to support the learners during this
stressful period for our young stars.

The meeting expressed disquiet about the cold-blooded killing and discovery
of 10 decomposing bodies of women in the sugar cane fields in Umzinto,
KwaZulu-Natal, on the eve of the beginning of the campaign against violence on
women and children. These gruesome murders must be condemned in the strongest
possible terms by all South Africans and the security services must and will do
everything possible to ensure that the perpetrators face the full might of the
law.

Cabinet welcomed the progress the Springboks are making in their march to
capture the International Rugby Board (IRB) Rugby World Cup in France and
expressed best wishes to the team on behalf of all South Africans. The Deputy
President will meet the team on Saturday when she visits France and she will
convey the country's support.

The following appointments were approved:

* Dr Frank Chikane's contract as the Director-General in the Presidency was
extended for another year
* Ms M Williams was appointed as the Deputy Director-General: Office of the
Chief Information Officer in the Department of Public Service and
Administration
* Ms R Sekese and Ms M Williams were appointed to the Board of the State
Information Technology Agency (SITA)
* Advocate T Mqobi was appointed to the post of Chief Deputy Commissioner for
Gauteng in the Department of Correctional Services
* Mr Lucky Montana's appointment as Chief Executive Officer of the South
African Rail Commuter Corporation (SARCC) was approved
* Concurred with the appointment of the following as members of the Agrément
Board of South Africa: Mr L Moshe, Ms MKE Choma, Dr MS Tayob, Mr EJ Kruger, Mr
M Marler, Mr NC Noyana, Ms NP Ngcobo, Ms ND Shabalala, Mr S Malebye, Mr SM
Seane, and Mr M Silinga.

Enquiries:
Themba Maseko, Government Spokesperson
Cell: 083 645 0810

Issued by: Government Communication (GCIS)
11 October 2007