Date: 24/06/2003
Source: The Presidency
Title: J Zuma: Answers to questions in NCOP


QUESTIONS FOR ORAL REPLY BY DEPUTY PRESIDENT JACOB ZUMA IN THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES (NCOP), 24 June 2003

QUESTION NUMBER: 1

Mr K D S Durr to ask the Deputy President:

(1) What is the Government's stance on calls to abolish religious holidays such as Good Friday and Christmas Day;

(2) Whether the Government has taken or intends taking any steps in this regard; if not, why not; if so, what steps;

(3) Whether he will make a statement on the matter?

REPLY

Government has no intention of abolishing religious holidays such as Good Friday and Christmas Day.

QUESTION NUMBER: 2

Mr AE van Niekerk to ask the Deputy President:

(1) What is the reason why constitutional institutions fall under the guardianship of departments;

(2) Whether this reason can be reviewed to strengthen the independence of the institutions by letting them be directly financed by Parliament?

REPLY:

Honourable member, the Chapter 9 Institutions do not fall under the "guardianship" of departments. In terms of our Constitution, they are independent and subject only to the Constitution and the law. They must be impartial and must exercise their powers and perform their functions without fear, favour or prejudice. They are accountable to the National Assembly.

I think that what the honourable member is referring to is the fact that each Chapter 9 institution receives its budget through a government department.

This is done to assist with the overall budgetary process.

However, as the honourable member is aware, the appropriation is approved by Parliament. Before approving the funds, the institutions are given an opportunity to appear before the relevant committees in the National Assembly. Once approved, these funds are transferred by the relevant departments into the bank accounts of the Chapter 9 Institutions. In terms of the Public Finance Management Act, each of the institutions has its own Chief Executive Officer who is accountable for the spending of the money.

I am sure you are aware, honourable member, that Parliament is currently reassessing its relationship with the Chapter 9 institutions in its consideration of the Report on Oversight and Accountability. The report of the Joint Rules Committee contains proposals in this regard and I await with interest to see how they will be taken forward.

QUESTION NUMBER: 3

Dr PJC Nel to ask the Deputy President:

Whether the Government has taken or intends taking any steps in regard to the threat by the Forces for the Defence of Democracy (FDD) in Burundi to kill soldiers of the African peacekeeping force, which includes approximately 700 South African soldiers, should they enter areas which are perceived by the FDD as being theirs; if not, why not; if so, what steps?

REPLY

The South African soldiers in Burundi form part of the African Union peacekeeping force together with troops from Mozambique and Ethiopia. As such they fall under the command of the African Mission in Burundi.

The Status of Forces Agreement and the Rules of Engagement governing their conduct give the African Mission Forces in Burundi a firm basis to exercise freedom of action.

The soldiers have the right to use force when necessary to protect themselves. The African Union Mission Army Commander has made it clear that the force would fight fire with fire. This emphasises the determination of the Mission to achieve its objective in Burundi, which is to bring peace, security and stability to that country.

I am, however, encouraged with the progress made in the preparation for the disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration of the former combatants of the armed forces and the Burundian Army. Central to this process is the planning of assembly points or cantonment areas for the former combatants. Restricting the former combatants to these areas will ensure that no further skirmishes take place and will conclude the implementation of the cease-fire agreements.

QUESTION NUMBER: 4

Mr ME Surty to ask the Deputy President:

Whether, with reference to the President's stance on peace, democracy and development as being central to the challenges faced by South Africa and Africa, he will elaborate on the achievements and importance of these elements for South Africa and the continent, in the context of South Africa and NEPAD; if so, what are the relevant details?

REPLY

The honourable member will recall that through the New Partnership for Africa's Development, African leaders agreed that peace and security, democracy and good governance, human rights and sound economic management are some of the key conditions necessary for sustainable development. To achieve peace and security, it is essential to build the capacity of African institutions for early warning, and the prevention, management and resolution of conflicts.

Conflict resolution is a top priority for African leaders as shown by their tireless efforts recently to constructively address conflict situations in several African countries, namely the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Angola, Burundi, Sudan, Sierra Leone, Madagascar, the Comoros the Central African Republic and the Cote d'Ivoire.

We expect that the Peace and Security Council of the African Union will be established at the Maputo Summit in July.

As honourable members are aware, South Africa has in particular been centrally involved assisting the negotiations in resolving the conflicts in Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and negotiations resolving the conflict between the DRC and Rwanda. South Africa is presently participating in two United Nations mandated missions in Eritrea and Ethiopia, and the DRC. Furthermore, South Africa is taking part in AU missions, one also in Ethiopia and Eritrea, and the other in Burundi.

In conclusion, we should be mindful that South Africa is part of Africa. It would be a mistake on our part to ignore the problems and crises faced by our fellow Africans. One of our immediate priorities, therefore, is the promotion of international and regional stability and prosperity. In an era of globalisation and interdependence, all countries and people are mutually vulnerable to a multiplicity of new challenges.

These challenges directly impact on our own development and nation-building project. I am sure members will agree that it is in South Africa's interest to be actively involved in the affairs of the continent. This we do not only as a matter of necessity, but because of a sincere commitment to the security and well being of our fellow Africans and also because stability in the continent will bring about sustainable development for all of us.

Issued by The Presidency
24 June 2003