Issued by: Government Communications (GCIS)
At its meeting today, 28 April 1999 Cabinet received a report on on-going work to ensure that governmental systems are Y2K compatible. The meeting expressed satisfaction with the work being done, and urged for even more intense application to this process by all government structures, including local government.
After consultations held with the Presiding Officers in Parliament, Cabinet agreed to the following programme, immediately after the elections: the new parliament will convene on 14 June to elect the new President and Presiding Officers; it is proposed that provincial legislatures convene on 15 June to elect Premiers and their own Presiding Officers; inauguration of the new President will take place on 16 June; and on 17 and 18 June provincial legislatures will assign their delegates to the NCOP. On Friday 25 June the new President will address a joint sitting of the National Assembly and the NCOP, and the debate on his address will take place the following week.
The meeting also approved the recommendation that election day, 2nd of June 1999 should be declared a Public Holiday. The necessary administrative process will be put in motion for the President to formally declare the public holiday. It also expressed satisfaction with the work being done by the relevant Inter-Ministerial Committee on security preparations for the elections.
Cabinet concurred with the decision of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on AIDS that HIV infection should be made a notifiable condition. The meeting emphasised that this is not meant to, nor will it, breach citizens' right to confidentiality and privacy.
Cabinet approved Guidelines on Government Communication during an Election Period. This will serve as an in-house guide to government communicators and other relevant public servants during this particular election period which starts in early May. These guidelines will also be forwarded to the IEC, which may, independently, take whatever relevant decisions it deems necessary on this matter.
On economic matters, the meeting noted the successful launch of South Africa's Eurobond, a reflection of the confidence of the international financial community in our economy in the short-, medium- and long-term.
The meeting received a report on the investigation affecting the Director-General of Home Affairs. It noted that the Department of Public Service and Administration which worked together with the Public Protector's Office had provided the Minister with three options: suspension, forced special leave or voluntary special leave.
The Minister chose the latter, with additional special conditions which will prevent the Director-General from influencing the outcome of investigations. The Public Protector has indicated to the Minister of Home Affairs that he is "satisfied that the essential purpose of suspension will be achieved through the presence of those special conditions". He has further stated that any "impression that acrimony exists between [the Public Protector's Office and that of the Minister] is sincerely regretted".
Cabinet also received a brief report on the "Africa Rally" led by Minister Jay Naidoo; and it congratulated him on the success of the mission. Further discussion on follow-up measures will be held once a comprehensive report has been submitted.
Cabinet approved the following appointments:
The meeting approved the following statutes for submission to Parliament:
Cabinet also adopted a policy framework on Municipal International Relations for South Africa, which will assist all spheres of government in the development of municipal international relations which are in the interest of internal development and accord with the country's foreign policy.
28 April 1999
For further information contact:
Joel Netshitenzhe
082-900-0083
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
COMMUNICATIONS
communications@po.gov.za
Tel: (012) 319-1500 ; Fax: (012) 324-4030
Tel: (021) 464-2100 ; Fax: (021) 464-2229