The Department of Foreign Affairs responded to an article that appeared in the Saturday Star of 2 January 1999, alleging South African government approval of mercenary support to the Angolan government.
The only authority in the South African government which may authorise South African organisations or individuals to render foreign military assistance, is the National Conventional Arms Control Committee (NCACC).
According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, no such application from any South African organisation/individual or foreign organisation/individual based in South Africa, for the rendering of military assistance to either parties in the conflict in Angola, was received since the Foreign Military Assistance Act became effective in September 1998.
The NCACC is a Cabinet Committee consisting of eleven cabinet ministers representing relevant ministries. It meets once a month either in Cape Town or Pretoria. The last such meeting took place in Pretoria during December 1998.
Any application to export services or materiel must be submitted in writing to the NCACC. Thereafter the application is subjected to an interdepartmental scrutiny process. Finally, the NCACC decides whether such an application will be granted or denied.
The government would welcome any proof that substantiates the allegations referred to in the Saturday Star article. Any transgression of the Act would be thoroughly investigated and if proven correct, would be prosecuted. South Africa is one of a few countries in the world which has legislation in place to regulate foreign military assistance to areas of conflict. The NCACC reports quarterly to Cabinet and the public on all export permits.
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
PRETORIA
3 JANUARY 1999