STATEMENT ON CABINET MEETING

Issued by: Government Communications (GCIS)

At its meeting today, Cabinet was briefed on, and noted, progress in the preparations for the Non-Aligned Movement Summit and the Presidential Jobs Summit.

Cabinet was also briefed on missions of the South African government to the Kingdom of Lesotho and the Democratic Republic of Congo to assist in finding solutions to the crises in these countries. Consultation is continuing among South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe to set up the team which will investigate the allegations of the Lesotho Opposition about the recent elections. With regard to the Congo. Cabinet noted that the South African government was in contact with all interested parties to echange views and ensure co-ordination among various initiatives. In this regard, speculation about tensions in the region about this and other issues is misplaced - all the efforts are meant to complement rather than undermine each other.

On the situation in Angola, the Cabinet noted that the Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General to Angola was due to arrive in South Africa today, to brief the government about developments in that country, and to examine requests for South Africa's assistance in this regard. Cabinet was also briefed about the recent executive meeting of the US-SA Bi-national Commission.

Cabinet reviewed the process since the submission of the Poverty and Inequality Report, and it agreed that the Inter-Ministerial Committee on this issue will formulate a strategy to take forward the recommendations contained in the report, taking into account the outcome of the Poverty Hearings under the auspices of the Human Rights Commission and other agencies.

Cabinet agreed that the housing subsidy should be reviewed with the view of adjusting the maximum amount to R16 000. This will be achieved either through accessing additional funds or by reducing the number of subsidies. A submission will be made, with regard to the former, to the Treasury Committee. Further, Cabinet approved appointments to the Servcon Housing Solutions Board.

Cabinet noted the report on the presentation of South Africa's initial Country Report on the UN Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women in June 1998.

Cabinet also noted progress with regard to the Legacy Projects on the Women's Monument, Freedom Park, Battle of Ncome and Sarnora Machel Monument.

Cabinet approved the following statutes:

• Inspection of Financial Institutions Bill, which aligns old legislation with the Constitution and enhances the effectiveness of inspections;
• Amendments to Transport Appeal Tribunal Bill reinstating the National Transport Commission to deal with local and cross-border permits and ensure correlation among all relevant Bills;
• Amendment to the Labour Relations Act to deal with problems experienced by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration and Bargaining Councils, phasing out of the Industrial Court and eliminating contradictions with constitutional provisions;
• Amendment to the Unemployment Insurance Act to provide for improved maternity benefit payments - which Bill will be submitted to Nedlac;
• Prevention of Organised Crime Bill to deal with participation in criminal organisations;
• National Sport and Recreation Bill, among others, to promote equity and democracy, and provide for dispute resolution mechanisms;
• Constitution of Republic of South Africa Fourth and Fifth Amendment Bills dealing with electoral issues. the Finance and Fiscal Commission, and administration of legislation which has not been allocated to any sphere of government.

Cabinet also approved the submission of the following agreements to Parliament for ratification:

• SADC Protocol on Education and Training; and
• Accession to the UN Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.

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