DEPUTY PRESIDENT ZUMA LEAVES FOR BURUNDI WITH DELEGATION

Issued by: Office of the Presidency

30 October 2001

Deputy President Jacob Zuma will tomorrow lead a South African delegation to Bujumbura, Burundi, to attend the installation of Burundi's transitional government.

The minister of intelligence, Lindiwe Sisulu, and the Chief of the South African National Defence Force, General Siphiwe Nyanda, will accompany the Deputy President.

The Deputy President has been assisting former South African President Nelson Mandela in establishing peace in Burundi, particularly on the attainment of the cease-fire agreement.

An agreement was reached that on November I, 2001 Burundi will install a transitional government. The transitional period has been divided into two segments of eighteen months each. President Pierre Buyoya, a Tutsi, will lead in the first eighteen months, deputised by Mr Domician Ndayizeye, a Hutu.

The South African delegation is scheduled to return on November 2, 2001.

For more information please contact Zanele Mngadi: 082-781 9332.