STATEMENT ON CABINET MEETING

Issued by: Government Communications (GCIS)

Cabinet met today, Wednesday 18 March 1998.

The meeting was informed that Deputy President Thabo Mbeki and Minister Mangosuthu Buthelezi were due, this afternoon, to visit Botswana to attend a farewell function for President Masire who is retiring.

The meeting was also briefed on developments surrounding the arrest of Foreign Affairs employee, Robert McBride, the content of which formed the substance of the statement Minister Sydney Mufamadi was to make later the same day to parliament.

Cabinet approved the submission of the following Bills to Parliament for consideration during the 1998 session:

• Insurance Amendment Bill, which ensures that foreign insurance companies operating in South Africa do so under South African law;
• Protection of a Purchaser of Securities Bill which improves protection of persons why buy shares, bonds and other marketable securities;
• Short-term Insurance Amendment Bill dealing with technical aspects of this matter;
• RDP Fund Amendment Bill which introduces new mechanisms of control and administration of this fund;
• Land Affairs General Amendment Bill with amendments of a technical nature to a number of laws administered by the Department of Land Affairs.

Cabinet approved proposals for the restructuring of the South African Post Office, including possibilities for a strategic management contract and restructuring of the savings arm of the Post Office.

The meeting also received a report on, and approved, measures to support the "people's housing process", capacity building and discussions among role-players on the Record of Understanding between Government and the Association of Mortgage Lenders.

Cabinet approved the submission of the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights; the International Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or punishment, and the Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, for ratification by Parliament it also noted progress towards the finalisation of the National Action Plan or Human Rights.

The needing also approved the following appointments.

The meeting also approved the following appointments:

• Members of the Board of Directors of Alexkor Ltd: MD Wanza, MF Leaf and BSI Marengwa, all with effect from 1 April 1998.
• Deputy Director-General and Head of the Office for Public Enterprises: Ms NT Mapetle.

Further details on these matters will be provided by the relevant Ministries and Departments.

18 March 1998

Enquiries: Joel Netshitenzhe 082-900-0083