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Statement on Cabinet Meeting, 3 August 2005 At its meeting
today, Cabinet was briefed on the wide-ranging discussion that took place at the
Land Summit, and it welcomed the fact that all critical role-players participated
in the consultations on this critical question, starting off with the provincial
summits that preceded the national meeting. The outcome of the Summit is being
processed, and a detailed discussion will take place in due course to determine
whether there will be any need to develop new policy and/or implementation approaches
on the part of government. The meeting noted the various events taking
place during Women's Month (August), around the theme, "Women building a
South Africa that truly belongs to all - building on Beijing". In addition
to honouring women who fought for freedom, these events will also provide an opportunity
for collective review of the progress and challenges in the struggle for women's
emancipation since the advent of democracy and the adoption in 1995 of the Beijing
Platform of Action. As South Africa gains experience in its participation
in Peace Missions across the continent and further afield, the issue of the utilisation
of South African Police Service (SAPS) members in such missions has arisen as
requiring clear policy and operational guidelines. Cabinet reflected on this matter
today, taking into account the experience of, and prescripts guiding, the South
African National Defence Force and the deployment, for the first time, of civilian
police monitors in the African Union (AU) Peace Mission in the Darfur Region in
Sudan. The meeting approved standard "Entry and Exit Criteria"
for such missions. These include mandating by AU and/or United Nations (UN), approval
by Cabinet, clarity on SAPS members' role, jurisdiction over the members, consideration
of national interest and so on. It was also agreed that, in addition to tabling
each proposal on deployment in Parliament, consideration should be given to amending
the SAPS Act to provide for such exercises. Cabinet was briefed on the
development of a 2010 Transport Action Agenda, which deals with transport planning
in preparation for the Soccer World Cup. Further work is being done on the programme
for finalisation during the course of this month. It was agreed that, in the meantime,
the capacity of provincial transport agencies would be strengthened, including
in particular in respect of spending on infrastructure. With regard to
the totality of government's specific responsibilities in co-ordinating preparations
for the Soccer World Cup, Cabinet agreed that an adequately-resourced structure
needed to be set up, over and above relevant Ministers' participation in the LOC.
In this regard, it was agreed to appoint Dr Joseph Phaahla, currently CEO of the
SA Sports Commission, as Government Co-ordinator for the 2010 Soccer World Cup
(backed by an Inter-Ministerial Committee and a Technical Team), at the level
of Director-General (DG). The meeting also approved the following appointments:
- Extension of term of DG: Provincial and Local Government for a period
of three years;
- Board of the State Information Technology Agency (SITA),
with Ms Thenjiwe Chikane as Chairperson;
- Extension of the term of Ms N
Mtshotshisa as Chairperson of the Telkom Board for a period of one year, and as
Director for 3 years;
- One Deputy DG in the South African Management Development
Institute (SAMDI); and
- Dr N Mathabe as Chairperson of the South African
National Commission for UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).
The meeting was briefed on the challenges of managing national water
resources infrastructure, and the various options to strengthen this capacity.
It was agreed in principle to set up a National Water Resources Infrastructure
Agency. This will be phased in, by bringing together the Infrastructure Branch
in the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry and the Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority.
The Agency will play a critical role in ensuring that the country is able to meet
its long-term water needs in a sustainable, efficient and equitable manner. Cabinet
was briefed on the ongoing interaction between South Africa and Zimbabwe on the
assistance that South Africa can provide to that country. In principle, government
is open to such assistance, including provision of a loan facility in relation
to Zimbabwe's obligations to the International Monetary Fund. Our approach on
this matter is premised on the principle that such assistance should be to the
benefit of the Zimbabwean people as a whole, within the context of their programme
of economic recovery and political normalisation. Further, government will
work with the UN and South African religious leaders to provide emergency humanitarian
assistance, including particularly in the aftermath of "Operation Restore
Order". Cabinet noted and accepted the report of the Public Protector
on the matter pertaining to PetroSA and its contractual relations with Imvume.
While government had always understood that the allegations of improper conduct
on the part of state officials were unfounded, we do appreciate that this matter,
as it relates to government, has been laid to rest. Cabinet respects the authority
and integrity of the constitutional bodies set up to protect our democracy, and
we hope that the same principles will be observed by other institutions in our
society. The meeting noted positive developments in the economy, including
the upgrading of South Africa's credit rating by Standard & Poor's and employment
statistics indicating that half-a-million (500 000) additional jobs had been created
between March 2004 and March 2005 - surpassing the number of new entrants into
the labour market. This is an improvement on the 400 000 new jobs reported the
year before. We are confident that, working together, government, business, labour
and other partners can improve the performance of the economy so we can build
a better life for all. For further information contact:
Joel Netshitenzhe
Cell:
082 900 0083 Issued by: Government Communications (GCIS)
3 August
2005
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