Date: 08/12/2003
Source: The Presidency
Title: J Zuma: Answers to questions in NCOP


WRITTEN REPLIES TO QUESTIONS IN THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES BY THE DEPUTY PRESIDENT, JACOB ZUMA, 8 December 2003

QUESTION NUMBER: 101

Mrs EN Lubidla to ask the Deputy President:

Whether, with particular reference to Africa's own efforts to realise the objectives of the African Renaissance, which aims to place the continent at the forefront of human development and progress, there has been found to be a growing trend in Africa towards greater regional and sub-regional cooperation and integration; if so, what are the relevant details.

REPLY

In line with concerted efforts by African States, the African Leadership and the peoples of Africa, there are numerous cases of regional cooperation and integration. As one would expect, the process towards integration is not easy. As such there are many outstanding challenges that are continually being addressed. The following cases testify to a "growing trend in Africa towards greater regional and sub-regional cooperation and integration":

* The transition from the Organisation of African Unity to the African Union illustrates a commitment by African countries to modernise multilateral cooperation in order to address existing challenges. The Constitutive Act of the African Union sets out an ambitious agenda for continental integration and cooperation, including the establishment of a Pan-African Parliament, ECOSOC (stakeholder consultative forum), three financial institutions, a Court of Justice and a handful of specialised agencies.

* The New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) initiative sharpens the focus on the socio-economic challenges faced by African countries and it provides an implementation plan to address these. As part of NEPAD, the African Peer Review Mechanism is an innovative instrument that is soon expected to come into force and that has the potential to substantially promote good governance in Africa.

* A majority of African countries have committed themselves - and made significant progress - towards opening up their economies to intra-regional trade. Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa), Southern African Development Community (SADC) and Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) are key examples of this. Progress is also underway in the renewed effort to promote regional integration within the East African Community (Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda). In addition, enhanced monetary cooperation in West Africa, with the preparation of a common currency area for Ecowas, is gaining momentum.

* Concerted efforts by African countries to negotiate and implement peace agreements amongst African countries are important prerequisites for economic and human development. The transition to peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, the signing of peace agreements in Somalia and Sudan and the transition to a democratically elected government in Madagascar are significant examples of this.

* Lastly, those African countries that have shown commitment to good governance have experienced significant economic growth in the 1990s. Economic growth in Africa is expected to have averaged 3.1% in 2002 and to reach 4.2% in 2003. This is more than twice the average growth Africa achieved from 1984 to 1993 and marginally higher than the average for all developing countries. This in turn has positive implications for intra-regional trade development, investment flows and human development.

QUESTION NUMBER: 131

Mr KDS Durr to ask the Deputy President:

(1) Whether, in view of the allegations in the press on his alleged involvement with the arms procurement deal and his close association with certain individuals facing criminal charges in that regard and in view of the damaging effect this is having on the image of Parliament and South Africa's good name, he intends standing down as Deputy President until his good name has been restored; if not, why not;
(2) Whether he intends taking any steps to clear his name; if not, why not; if so, what steps;
(3) Whether he will make a statement on the matter?

REPLY

1. No. As the honourable member is aware there is a principle in our law that says a person is presumed innocent until proven guilty. I have consistently denied any wrongdoing with regard to the arms procurement deal as well as any other matter. Complaints against me have been laid with the Public Protector for allegedly violating the Executive Ethics Code and with Parliament for allegedly violating the Code of Parliamentary Ethics. I have been cleared in both matters. The National Director of Public Prosecutions has publicly stated I will not be prosecuted, as they (the National Directorate of Public Prosecutions) do not believe they have a winnable case.

2. I have reported the allegations of abuse of power to the Public Protector. I am still considering whether I will take any further steps in this regard.

3. No.

QUESTION NUMBER: 157

Ms C-S Botha to ask the Deputy President:

(1) What factors did the President take into account in deciding to amend and clarify the terms of reference of the Hefer Commission of Inquiry;
(2) Whether the President discussed this decision with him; if not, with whom did the President discuss the matter before taking this decision; if so, (a) when and (b) what was the purport of the discussions;
(3) Whether he will appear before the Hefer Commission; if not, why not;
(4) When is it anticipated that Judge Hefer will deliver his report?

REPLY

1. The honourable member is referred to the media statement issued by The Presidency in this regard. A copy is attached for ease of reference.

2. The President does not disclose details of discussions that he has had with any person prior to taking decisions.

3. No. I have explained to the Commission that as I was deployed by the African National Congress as Chief of Intelligence for a particular period, everything undertaken by me in this task was not done in my personal capacity. In the course of my work, I must have handled sensitive and delicate information. I am therefore not at liberty to discuss any information regarding this work without the express mandate and direction of the African National Congress.

4. Judge Hefer has not formally indicated when he expects to issue his report.

QUESTION NUMBER: 158

Mr AE van Niekerk to ask the Deputy President:

(1) Whether he will make a statement on the role of the government's language policy as an instrument to promote nation building;
(2) How does he envisage the implementation of the language policy?

REPLY

(1) The National Language Policy Framework promotes the equitable use of the 11 official languages by government. It is based on principles that are key to nation building, namely, that it recognises languages as resources that are needed to maximise knowledge and expertise and to ensure full participation in the political and socio-economic life of our country. The policy takes into account the broad acceptance of linguistic diversity, social justice and equal access to services and programmes.

(2) It is envisaged that the implementation of this policy will help in job creation, as it will increase the demand for translators, editors and interpreters, especially in the indigenous languages.

* The National Language Policy Framework will be implemented through a progressive phasing-in process, with the establishment of language units in departments as a core strategy
* Other implementation mechanisms such as capacity building, a Language Code of Conduct for public servants, the establishment of a South African Language Practitioners' Council, telephone interpreting and language technology will be employed to ensure the successful entrenchment of multilingualism in South Africa.

Issued by: The Presidency
8 December 2003