STATEMENT ON CABINET MEETING

Issued by: Office of the Presidency

1 March 2000

At its meeting today Cabinet was briefed on continuing efforts to manage the flood disaster in the northern provinces of the country as well as Mozambique. The Inter-Ministerial Committee on Disaster management remains seized of this matter, mobilising all spheres of government, NGO's and the private sector to provide emergency relief and start the protracted process of reconstruction.

This includes attending to such issues as rehabilitation of infrastructure, welfare provision, health matters, education and agriculture. Matters pertaining to availability of funds are being attended to through the relevant Cabinet Committees.

Cabinet expressed its sympathy with all those affected - both within South Africa and among our neighbours - and it commended the SANDF and other agencies, both public and private, which have shown the dedication that is typical of a caring society.

Cabinet was briefed on the changes to the programme of parliament, including the allocation of sufficient time for debates on the Departmental Budget Votes. The budget process should be concluded around 23 May 2000.

Cabinet also decided on the conditions which will attach to the allocation of a portion of the GSM1800Mhz to existing cellular licence holders.

The meeting considered the issue of domestic violence and the broader backdrop of the collapse of the moral fibre of society. It emphasised the need for both political and community involvement in dealing with this challenge. The Leader of Government Business (Deputy President) will approach the Speaker of the National Assembly for a special debate on this matter.

Cabinet approved the selection of consortia for the construction of two maximum security prisons, each with a population of about 3-thousand inmates:

Bloemfontein Maximum Security Prison - Ikhwezi Consortium Louis Trichardt Maximum Security Prison - South African Custodial Services.

The following Bills were approved for submission to Parliament:

• Home Loan and Mortgage Disclosure Bill which aims to promote fair lending practices - this will be subject to comments from the public which should be submitted within 30 days of its publication in the Government Gazette;
• South African Weather Bureau Bill, which establishes the Bureau as a juristic parastatal body - also subject to public comment;
• Amendments to the Lotteries Act, which seek to reduce both actual and perceived risk of fraud by employees of the Lottery Operator;
• Amendments to the Remuneration of Public Office Bearers and the National House of Traditional Leaders Acts, to provide for payment of full-time salaries to the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the National House of Traditional Leaders, adjustment of dates on which members of national and provincial legislatures are paid subsequent to an election, and on consultations regarding pension funds and medical aid schemes for Municipal Councillors.

Cabinet approved an approach to communication based on the government's programme for the year. Under the theme: "A nation at work for a better life - Dawn of the African Century", this approach will include integrated focus on major campaigns, premised on the mobilisation of the people to become partners in the cause of reconstruction and development.

The meeting approved the appointment of Mr Denn Alberts to the post of Provincial Commissioner of SAPS in the Northern Province.

Cabinet was informed of the completion of the IMF Staff Report on South Africa and the related Public Information Notice; and the meeting agreed that the Notice could be made public.

For further information contact:
Joel Netshitenzhe
082-900-0083
Have a nice day!