Issued by: Office of the Executive Deputy President T.M. Mbeki
OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DEPUTY PRESIDENT T.M. MBEKI
Today, the 4th of April 1996, the Chairperson of Inquiry into the Finalisation of the Boundaries between the Provinces of Kwa-Zulu/Natal and Eastern Cape, Mr. J.J. Trengrove submitted his report to the Executive Deputy President Mr. T. Mbeki at Tuynhuis, Cape Town.
The Commission was appointed by the President on the 3rd of June 1995. Mr. J.J. Trengrove, a former Judge of the Supreme Court was appointed as the Chairperson.
Four additional members, two from KwaZulu/Natal namely Prof. C.R.M. Dlamini SC, Rector of the University of Zululand, Empangeni and Mr. C.A. Erskine, a retired farmer of Cramond, and two from the Eastern Cape, Mr. L. Mpati an advocate and Mr G.M. Nettelton, an attorney, both from Grahamstown were appointed on the 25th of July 1995.
The Commission commenced its activities on the 11th of August 1995. In broad terms the Commissions mandate was to advise the President on ways to finalise the boundary between (Southern) KwaZulu Natal and (Northern) Eastern Cape.
On the 11th April 1995, a Steering Committee, comprising six representatives from each f the two provinces agreed that a recommendation should be made to the President to appoint a Commission of Inquiry.
The issues set out in the terms of reference of the Commission are all concerned with the question of the feasibility or otherwise of altering the existing boundary between the Provinces of the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu/Natal in so far as such a boundary relates to the affected areas, namely Northern Transkei/Pondoland consisting of Bizana, Flagstaff, Lusikisiki, Mt. Ayliff, Mt. Frere, Mt. Fletcher, Matatiele and Tabankulu districts of Transkei, the District of Umzimkhulu and the District of Mount Currie.
The Commission, in effect enjoined to inquire into, to report on, and to make recommendations regarding the allocation of the aforementioned affected areas. The Commission was furthermore required to have regard to the following matters in the course of its enquiry, namely:
a) the provisions of the Constitution. b) the will of the persons resident in the affected areas. c) the historical and cultural background of the said areas. d) any economic or geographical factors, and any administrative, educational and social considerations affecting such areas, with more specific reference to: i. The promotion of sound principles of public administration and good government. ii. The promotion of infrastructure and the rendering of services and the need to minimise inconvenience. iii. The promotion of rational development. iv. The promotion of public welfare v. The creation of jobs.
The Commission's work and its report constitute steps in the process of seeking agreement between the two provinces on the finalisation of their common boundary. The intention is that the Steering Committee should also be given an opportunity to make proposals to the President on how the report should be used in such a process and on its publication.
On behalf of the Government and on behalf of the Steering Committee, Deputy President Mbeki expressed his sincere appreciation for the work done by the Commission.
He especially thanked the Chairperson, Mr. Trengrove, for accepting the appointment on the Commission, for the way in which he led the Commission and for the special effort he put into the work of the Commission.
Issued by the Office of Executive Deputy President Mbeki. Enquiries: Thami Ntenteni. Director of Communications Cell Phone 083 55 55 11 8
04.04.96