STATEMENT ON CABINET MEETING

26 July 2000

At its meeting today, Cabinet adopted a number of Bills on local government, for public comment:

• Local Government: Property Rates Bill, which seeks to regulate property taxes and harmonise approaches throughout the country, in line with the new developmental role assigned to this sphere of government;
• Municipal Finance Management Bill, which gives effect to constitutional provisions on municipal borrowing and intervention mechanisms in the event of financial emergencies;
• Local Government: Municipal Structures Amendment Bill, which formalises the demarcation process and other preparations for the forthcoming local government elections.

The meeting also approved amendments to labour and related legislation, which impacts on the labour market:

• Labour Relations Amendment Bill;
• Basic Conditions of Employment Amendment Bill;
• Insolvency Amendment Bill;

These Bills are now open for public comment, and will also be tabled at NEDLAC.

Cabinet was informed of the Task Team of Ministers who will interact with their Zimbabwean colleagues on matters of common interest. This Team comprises of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Industry, Finance, Agriculture and Minerals and Energy Affairs. Consultations will be held for urgent interaction between the Ministers of Finance and Trade and Industry with their Zimbabwean counter-parts to deal with urgent matters and prepare for broader interaction between the two governments.

Cabinet discussed preparations for the SADC Summit of Heads-of-State and Government, which will take place during the course of next week. Among the main issues on the agenda of the Summit is the welcome progress that has been made in respect of the SADC Protocol on Trade. SADC Ministers responsible for trade have confirmed that this process is reaching finality, and 1 September 2000 has been set as the target date for implementing the Protocol.

The meeting approved the Framework for an Accelerated Agenda for the Restructuring of State-owned Assets, which sets out both the policy and programme guiding the restructuring of state assets. The Minister for Public Enterprises will launch the Framework on 10 August 2000.

The following other Bills were approved for submission to Parliament:

• Banks Amendment Bill, which seeks to improve the structures and systems of regulation of banks;
• Judicial Matters Amendment Bill which amends a number of Bills administered by the Department of Justice;
• South African Boxing Bill which creates a new structure and dispensation for professional and amateur boxing.

Cabinet also approved the following appointments:

• Mr M Manyatshe to the post of CEO of the South African Post Office Limited;
• Mr M Nkabinde to the post of DDG (Provincial Commissioner in the SAPS) for Mpumalanga;
• a new Board for Mintek;
• South African Council for the Non-Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction;
• Board of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme.

Cabinet approved government's approach to the review of Curriculum 2005, the details of which will be announced after the Minister of Education has consulted with Education MEC's.

Issued by: Government Communications (GCIS)
For further information contact:
Joel Netshitenzhe