Issued by: SA Communication Service
The meeting received a report on parparations for Africa Telecom which will be held during the course of next week in Johannesburg, bringing together governments from the continent and role-players in the telecommunications industry.
The meeting also noted that President Nelson Mandela and a number of Ministers were on a State Visit to the Republic of Angola; and that two Ministers are part of the delegation to the UK to help facilitate the implementation of the agreement on Northern Ireland. It also noted that South Africa was elected some ten days ago to chair the OAU Labour and Social Affairs Commission. All these developments underline the important role democratic South Africa is playing in continental and international affairs.
Cabinet approved the submission of the following Bills to Parliament:
Cabinet also approved the submission to Nedlac of the International Labour Organisation Instrument on Health and Safety in the Mines as well as a proposed amendment to the ILO constitution. The meeting further reviewed government representation in Nedlac and agreed to revise such representation in order to ensure streamlined and effective participation.
The meeting received a report on the processing of the Poverty and Inequality Report and delegated relevant Ministers to work on a comprehensive response by government. It also approved the Draft Framework for a National Action Plan on Human Rights for further consultation pending its submission to the United Nations on 10 December 1998. Progress was noted with regard to activities around Constitution Week, with emphasis on violence against women and children.
The meeting approved proposals that the SANDF should in the long-term take responsibility for border control; and that interim arrangements should be worked out between the Defence Force and the SAPS.
Cabinet approved, for submission to the President, names of proposed members of the Publications Review Board and of the Advisory Panel to recommend the Chairperson of the Board.
It also authorised the Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry to sign Protocol V to the Treaty on the Lesotho Highlands Water Project.
Cabinet received a report on the decision of the President as Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Force, after due consultation, to appoint Lieutenant-General Siphiwe Nyanda as the next Chief of the SANDF with effect from 1 June 1998. Lt. General Nyanda (whose CV can be obtained from the numbers given below), is currently the Deputy Chief of the Defence Force. The meeting welcomed this appointment and wished Lt. General Nyanda well in his new responsibility.
The relevant Ministries and Department are available for further elaboration of these decisions.
29 April 1998
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