Cabinet met today to consider matters that required urgent attention.
The meeting was informed that President Nelson Mandela had considered the nominations to the Constitutional Court from the Judicial Service Commission. After consulting the President of the Constitutional Court and the leaders of parties represented in the National Assembly as required by the Constitution, the President had decided to appoint Mr Justice Sandile Ngcobo as Judge of the Constitutional Court. Cabinet concurred with the President's decision.
Cabinet was also briefed on the work of the Department of Home Affairs to urgently provide Identity Documents to those who had applied. It noted with appreciation the progress that has been made in this regard.
Government wishes to call on all those who have not yet collected their ID's, to do so at their nearest Home Affairs Offices. Where necessary, these Offices will remain open over the week-end.
On election day, June 2, the Department of Home Affairs, working together with the IEC, will strive, to the extent possible, to avail ID's and Temporary Identification Certificates of those who have registered, at their voting stations. However, the best guarantee for these citizens is to collect their ID's before election day at the Home Affairs Offices.
The National Conventional Arms Control Committee presented its Quarterly Report - and the last one to the current government - to Cabinet. The Chairperson of the Committee thanked members of Cabinet for their co-operation over the years, and the transparent manner in which these matters have been handled.
The meeting approved for tabling to Parliament, and signing by the Minister of Defence, of the Agreement on the Multilateral Status of Forces between the Governments of the SA, Botswana and Lesotho.
Cabinet was briefed on the progress with regard to the restructuring of the SA Post Office. It considered both the time-table for this process as well as the possible Strategic Management Partners. New Zealand Post/Royal Mail and Canada Post have been short-listed for this purpose.
Cabinet approved the appointment of Mr Mervin King and Ms Barbara Masekela as Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson respectively of the South African Sports Commission.
It also approved the appointment of members of the Competitions Tribunal in accordance with the Competition Act. Mr DH Lewis and Advocate MTK Moerane were appointed as Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson respectively.
For further information contact:
Joel Netshitenzhe
Tel: 082-900-0083
ISSUED BY GCIS
26 May 1999