Issued by: Office of the Premier
The Gauteng Executive Council held its last meeting for the year 1999 on Wednesday 8 December at the Sandton Village House Hotel in Lonehill.
MEC for Housing, Paul Mashatile, who was Acting Premier during my visit to Germany, briefed the Executive Council on the meeting of the Presidential Co-ordinating Council.
The Executive Council unanimously decided to throw its full weight behind the establishment of the Presidential Co-ordinating Council. It is the feeling of the Executive Council that such a forum will lead to greater co-operation between the national and provincial spheres of government.
The Executive Council received a report from the MEC for Transport and Public Works, Khabisi Mosunkutu, on the efforts to resolve the Soshanguve Taxi conflict.
MEC Mosunkutu told the Executive Council that he was satisfied with the outcomes of the mediation exercise by Acting Judge Dumisa Ntsebeza. The Executive Council was convinced that on the basis of the report, sufficient agreement had been reached between the warring taxi groups, increasing the possibility for the resumption of taxi operations in Soshanguve.
Representatives of all the taxi operators in Soshanguve will sign a formal agreement on the resolution of the conflict within the next two days. This would enable MEC Mosunkutu to make further announcements regarding the resumption of taxi operations in the area.
A meeting with the community and all other stakeholders has been arranged for Sunday 12 December 1999 at the Soshanguve Community Hall, starting at 09h00.
MEC Mosunkutu also briefed the Executive Council about measures to curb the road carnage during the festive season. These measures include roadblocks, intensified patrolling and checking of the roadworthiness of all motor vehicles, especially taxis and busses.
The Executive Council urged MEC Mosunkutu and all state agencies involved in the "Arrive Alive" campaign to act firmly and mercilessly against anyone who is found to have contravened the traffic regulations.
The Executive Council endorsed the reduction of the speed limit on busses and taxis from 120k/h to 100k/h, and urged MEC Mosunkutu to act decisively against anyone contravening the regulations. The Y2K project management team presented its final report to the Executive Council. The report covered the work of the team since 1997 to date. All business critical systems have been audited and remedial measures were effected where necessary and tested.
We are pleased to announce that the Gauteng Provincial Government will be Y2K compliant come the year 2000. As we begin the holiday season, on behalf of the Gauteng Provincial Government we wish all the people of Gauteng a peaceful holiday and a happy New Year.
For all those who will be on the roads during the holiday season we say: "TAKE EXTRA CARE. DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE. ARRIVE ALIVE".
Issued by: Office of the Premier
Gauteng Provincial Government
9 November 1999