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Statement on Cabinet Meeting, 5 April 2006 At its meeting
today, Cabinet in principle approved a strategy for the disposal of non-core properties
of State Owned Enterprises (SOEs). The strategy forms part of the programmes of
AsgiSA, to ensure that government leverages as much of these properties as possible
for purposes of promoting urban and light industrial development and other projects
in various parts of the country. It was agreed that there would be further
interrogation of the concept of "core and non-core properties". Further,
in disposing of such properties current occupants and local residents would get
preferential treatment, and ways would be found to compensate SOEs for any loss
of asset value. Cabinet noted the sterling work done by the South African
Revenue Service in surpassing targets for revenue collection in the financial
year just ended. The leadership and staff of SARS are commended for their serious
application to their work. Government also wishes to express its appreciation
to the public whose co-operation has made this achievement possible. As government,
across all the spheres, we do recognise our responsibility to ensure that these
funds are indeed spent in developing our country and providing services to citizens.
Noting that May would be observed as Energy Month, government wishes to
call on all South Africans to use energy in an efficient and socially-responsible
way. While our country has sufficient capacity to manage very high peaks, and
progress is being made to bring forward the construction of some of the major
generation plants, the reality is that a higher rate of growth and broadening
of access have placed a strain particularly on transmission to the Western Cape,
and on distribution infrastructure in some metropolitan areas. All of us have
to conduct ourselves recognising that SA is entering a phase of energy demand
for economic growth and household consumption which requires us to be mindful
of various ways of its conservation. The following Bills were approved
for submission to Parliament: - Deeds Registries Amendment Bill; and
- Less Formal Township Establishment Amendment Bill which updates earlier
legislation on 'informal settlements' in order to fast-track acquisition and development
of land for such settlements.
Cabinet expressed its disappointment
at recent statements by public officials in various capacities regarding the country's
readiness to host the 2010 Soccer World Cup. Negative public communication, aimed
at accessing resources or any other purpose, does not help the image of the country
nor does it in any case reflect the true state of affairs. As we move towards
the 2006 World Cup in Germany , after which international attention will turn
to our country, we all need to ensure that our pronouncements are based on fact,
help constructively to deal with any problems that may arise and assist in engendering
confidence in our country and the continent. The meeting noted the arrangements
that have been made for the Imbizo Focus Week which runs from 6 to 13 April, providing
an opportunity for intense interaction between leaders across all spheres of government
and the public. It also noted preparations for marking the centenary of the Bhambata
Rebellion, which took place in April 1906. This process will initiate celebrations
in recognition of the bravery of African people in fighting colonialism and its
various manifestations such as land dispossession and unjust tax laws. The anniversary
also serves as an injunction for us to speed up comprehensive land reform, including
the implementation of the resolutions of the Land Summit. The following
appointments were approved: - Ms Odette R Ramsingh as DG: Office of
the Public Service Commission (OPSC) for a period of 3 years - currently DDG in
the OPSC;
- Mr G Davel as CEO of the National Credit Regulator for a term
of two years;
- One DDG each in StatsSA, and Departments of Justice and
Constitutional Development, and Land Affairs
Cabinet approved a contribution
of US$1-million per year for the next twenty years to the International Financing
Facility for Immunisation. It also agreed in principle that SA should commit to
once-off payments to the World Bank's International Development Assistance (IDA)
and African Development Bank's African Development Fund (AfDF) as SA's contribution
to the Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative. The meeting expressed its sympathy
and solidarity with communities which have experienced destruction of property
and displacement as a consequence of heavy rainfall in the Northwest Province
. National government is working with provincial and local administrations to
provide support and mitigate the impact of these floods. Cabinet wishes
to convey its condolences to the family of Ministers Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and
Charles Nqakula for the loss of Ms Mapisa-Nqakula's mother. The meeting also conveyed
its good wishes for a speedy recovery to Minister Zola Skweyiya who is undergoing
an operation.
For further information contact:
Joel Netshitenzhe
082
900 0083 5 April 2006
Issued by: Government Communications | 
