STATEMENT ON CABINET MEETING

Issued by: GCIS

Cabinet today received a briefing on the security situation in the Inanda/KwaMashu-Ntuzuma areas of KwaZulu-Natal, as well as the operational plans of the security agencies in this and other areas of the country with high levels of crime. The meeting agreed that, in addition to these operations, the process of implementing multi-disciplinary projects in these areas should be speeded up. The Deputy President has been charged with co-ordinating this work.

Cabinet was informed of the visit in the coming few days to Nigeria, by a delegation headed by the Deputy President, including the Ministers of Trade and Industry and Foreign Affairs. Among other issues the delegation will follow up proposals for the setting up of a Bi-national Commission between the two countries, in order to deepen relations in all areas of endeavour.

Cabinet has approved policy with regard to the utilisation of Special Advisors, which includes the following regulations:

• all executing authorities except the Chair of the Public Service Commission and MEC's may appoint not more than two full-time advisors;
• the advisors should be appointed in accordance with a standard employment contract and have defined job descriptions linked to performance incentives;
• their remuneration packages should be equivalent to those of public service managers, and the compensation level of each Special Advisor should be approved by the Minister of Public Service Administration on the recommendation of the relevant Executing Authority;
• only South African citizens should be appointed as Special Advisors, and all candidates should be subjected to a security clearance before appointment.

It was also agreed that any variation with regard to the regulations will be handled by the President and the relevant Executing Authority.

Cabinet approved for submission to Parliament of the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Bill, subject to any amendments that relevant Ministers may deem necessary during the process of consultations. Other statutes to be submitted to Parliament are:

• National Water Amendment Bill which amends the current Act on procedures for the appointment of the Water Tribunal;
• Financial Services Board Amendment Bill which deals with various matters pertaining to the functions of the Board;
• A cluster of Bills dealing with the Built Environment, Architectural Profession, Construction Management, Engineering Profession, Landscape Architectural Profession, Quantity Surveying Profession and Property Values Profession;
• The ILO Convention on the Prohibition and Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour;
• Fire Brigade Services Amendment Bill which deals with the composition of the National Fire Brigade Board;
• Cross-border Insolvency Bill which introduces internationally-recognised fair and efficient administration of cross-border insolvency.

The meeting received a comprehensive report and recommendations to address the spate of bus accidents. The Cabinet expressed it condolences and sympathies to the families of all those who have lost their lives or have been injured; and it expressed the deepest regret to the Government and people of the United Kingdom for the Lydenburg bus tragedy. Cabinet called on the people of our country to work together to eliminate these disasters; and it cautioned against recriminations and the culture of self-flagellation in the media and in general public discourse.

Cabinet approved appointments to the National Council for Correctional Services and the Board of Trustees for the People's Housing Partnership Trust. It also approved the appointment of Major-General TT Matanzima as Chief of Personnel in the rank of Lt.-General with effect from 1 December 1999.

The meeting congratulated the sporting fraternity, the Ministry of Sport and Recreation and other state agencies for the successful hosting of the All-Africa Games. Particular compliments were paid to the sports-persons and volunteers who did our country proud.

The meeting noted with regret the tragic incident at the Tempe Military Base two weeks ago. It expressed its condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. Government will decide on a further course of action once a comprehensive investigation of the incident has been completed.

29 September 1999

For further information contact:
Joel Netshitenzhe
082-900-0083
Issued by: GCIS