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Statement on the Cabinet Meeting of 8 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 | 
