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Statement on the Cabinet Meeting of 26 June 2007 Cabinet
held its ordinary meeting this morning, 26 June 2007 in Pretoria. The meeting
received progress reports from Cabinet Committees on the implementation of Government's
Programme of Action. Cluster media briefings will be held during the week beginning
2 July to inform the public about progress in implementing the programme. Cabinet
noted the publication by The Presidency of the Development Indicators Mid Term
Review, as part of the establishment of a government-wide monitoring and evaluation
system. The indicators show an overall picture of progress together with some
major challenges. The meeting agreed that the indicators should be made widely
available in an accessible form as part of government's commitment to transparency
and democratic accountability. The publication is available on Government Online
website http://www.gov.za. The
meeting noted that the Pan African Infrastructure Development Fund will be launched
during the African Union summit in Ghana. The Fund, with its Head Office in South
Africa, has raised capital (US$625 million) for investment in infrastructure on
the African Continent. With a target of US$1 billion, it will be the largest infrastructure
fund ever established on the continent. It will help dispel notions of Africa
as a high-risk investment destination. South Africa's Public Investment Commission
has played a leading role in establishing the fund. Cabinet noted that
South Africa will host the 46th annual session of Asian-African Legal Consultative
Organisation from 30 June to 6 July in Cape Town. The Commission serves as an
advisory body to its Member States in the field of international law and as a
forum for Asian-African co-operation in legal matters of common concern. Cabinet
noted that today is International Day against Substance Abuse and Drug Trafficking.
The day is being marked by events across the country including the launch of a
school-based prevention and early intervention programme. The objective is to
build awareness of the issues and to mobilise stakeholders in the fight against
drugs. In the context of recent incidents in the Western Cape, Cabinet
reiterated the urgency of police action to deal with the scourge of substance
abuse and illicit drug trafficking. The meeting also urged communities not to
take the law into their own hands but to work closely with the law enforcement
agencies in implementing government's programme to deal with this scourge. Cabinet
approved the re-designation of the World Health Organisation (WHO) country representative
from WHO Liaison to WHO Representative. The Department of Health will work with
the WHO to select a suitable candidate for this post. The meeting approved
the implementation of the International Health Regulations (IHR) relating to pandemic
influenza and the designation of the National IHR Focal Point for the management
of and prevention of the spread of such diseases. These regulations provide the
legal framework for the global community to improve the management of acute health
risks that could spread internationally and to help contain these at source. The
department of health will implement these regulations with immediate effect. The
following appointments were approved: - Mr Trevor Fowler's contract
as the Chief Operations Officer in the Presidency was extended for another three
years.
- Cabinet concurred with the appointment of Dr P Matlou as the Chief
Executive Officer of the Africa Institute of South Africa (AISA)
- Mr M
Vilana, Deputy Director-General: Department of Transport (Transport Logistics
and Corridor Development)
- Dr M Koorts, Deputy Director-General: Department
of Transport (Public Entity Oversight)
The Local Government Laws
Amendment Bill was approved for submission to Parliament. Enquiries: Themba
Maseko
Government Spokesperson
Cell: 083 645 0810 Issued by: Government
Communications (GCIS)
26 June 2007
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