Issued by: The Office of the President
At its regular meeting today, Cabinet was briefed on the situation in the Kingdom of Lesotho and the background to current developments.
Cabinet expressed its full support for the assessment of the Southern African Development Community that the army mutiny of 11 September had created a situation of lawlessness and disorder. The government was paralysed; and the mutineers and their supporters had all but seized power. Negotiations had stalled and the atmosphere of mistrust had precipitated an unnecessary deadlock on even minor issues.
Cabinet therefore endorsed the decision of the leaders of SADC to deploy a joint force in the Kingdom as a principled and correct one, premised on the unequivocal rejection of any acts of unlawful seizure of power against any democratic government. In this regard, South Africa had acted as part of a collective, to meet its SADC obligations. This was in response to a request by the government of the Kingdom of Lesotho, which was made within the legal framework of Lesotho's statutes. It is also in the vital interest of South Africa that we should not allow instability to spread beyond Lesotho's borders.
The aim of the operation, as was explained by the Acting President yesterday, is to stabilise the situation and create the environment in which negotiations can continue in earnest, in order to bring about a lasting political settlement. SADC is acting in this operation as a friend of the people of Lesotho, to assist them in resolving their problems by creating the conditions conducive for negotiations.
Cabinet congratulated members of the SANDF and the BDF for the decisive and firm manner in which they have conducted themselves. The government profoundly regrets the loss of life of both the citizens of Lesotho and the SADC military contingent. It welcomes the fact that everything was being done to exercise restraint, and to assist the injured on both sides.
Government expresses its condolences to all the next of kin of those who have lost their lives.
The South African government fully recognises members of the SANDF who have laid down their lives as heroes in defence of stability and democracy in our region. They will be given their honours in tribute to the their loyalty to South Africa and to Southern Africa.
In this regard, government calls on all South Africans to support our citizens in uniform who are prepared to lay down their lives for our collective security, our democracy and our regional stability in Southern Africa.
The latest report from Lesotho is that the situation has stabilised and relative peace has been restored.
The Cabinet meeting also noted the progress report of the Government Communication and Information System, and it endorsed the proposals on how to improve government communications, ensure full integration of work, and undertake communications in each sector on the basis of a broad strategic framework.
The meeting received a report from the Interdepartmental Committee on Corruption and endorsed the campaign against this scourge, the various elements of which will be announced in due course. The meeting also noted the development of the so-called La Nina event in the Pacific, with the attendant implications regarding above-normal rainfall in our region. It instructed the Inter-Ministerial Committee for Disaster Management and the Interim Disaster management Centre to monitor this development and ensure a co-ordinated response.
Cabinet also received a report on, and welcomed progress in, the preparations for the Masakhane Focus Week which is due on 11 to 17 October 1998.
The meeting also reviewed progress in the implementation of the Wild Coast Spatial Development Initiative; and it agreed to amend the terms of reference of the Implementation Authority so as to facilitate consultations, funding and co-ordination.
The following statutes were approved for submission to Parliament:
The following new appointments were made:
Cabinet also welcomed the fact that South Africa is this November to host the General Assembly of the Supreme Council for Sport in Africa; and it also noted progress towards the establishment of the South African Sport Academy and Provincial Sports Academies.
For further information contact: Joel Netshitenzhe 082-900-0083