National Assembly, 11 September 2002
Mr. J P I Blanché (FA) to ask the Deputy President:
(1) Whether he or the President held discussions with President Mugabe during the latter's recent visit to South Africa on the seizure of commercial farms in Zimbabwe and the eviction of farmers and farm workers in those farms; if not, why not; if so, (a) what views did he or the President communicate to President Mugabe and (b) what was president Mugabe's response thereto?
(2) Whether South Africa has promised any economic or food aid to Zimbabwe; if so, what are the details of the promised aid?
REPLY:
(1) Neither the President nor the Deputy President held discussions with President Mugabe during his recent visit to South Africa to attend the World Summit on Sustainable Development.
(2) The Government has donated R500, 000 to the World Food Programme to procure and distribute food aid in Zimbabwe. During its 2002 mid year lekgotla, Cabinet also decided to investigate further material support to countries in the SADC region that are drought challenged, including Zimbabwe.
Rev K R J Meshoe (ACDP) to ask the Deputy President:
(1) Whether he or the President has been informed of the intentions of former Rwandan armed force soldiers and Interahamwe militias to resist attempts to disarm them and repatriate them to Rwanda; if so, what step does the Government intend taking in this regard; if not,
(2) Whether the Government will investigate the matter; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details
REPLY:
(1) No.
To date no formal communication has been directed to either the South African Government via our embassies in Rwanda and the DRC nor to the Third Party Verification Mechanism (TPVM) by any of the armed groups operating within the DRC of their intention to resist any attempts to disarm and repatriate them to Rwanda.
We are however aware of the concerns of some of the former Rwandan soldiers that they may be subjected to retaliatory measures on their return to Rwanda.
Provision has, therefore, been made for concerns of this nature to be addressed within the framework of the Agreement signed between the governments of Rwanda and the DRC by their respective Heads of State on 30 July 2002 in Pretoria.
(2) No.
In terms of the Progamme of Implementation of the Agreement between the DRC and Rwanda, a Third Party Verification Mechanism (TPVM) has been established with the mandate to monitor and verify the implementation of the Agreement on the withdrawal of the Rwandan troops from the territory of the DRC and the dismantling/demobilisation and repatriation of the Interahamwe and ex-FAR forces in the DRC. In other words, the TPVM will be responsible for processing all issues pertaining to the disarmament of the armed groups and will report to the principals on developments.
The TPVM assumed duty in Kinshasa during the week of 26 August. South Africa's representatives on the TPVM are: Mr Billy Masethla and Ms Thembi Majola from the Presidency, Ms Lindiwe Zulu from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Major General Ntshinga from the Department of Defence. The other two members of the TPVM are the Deputy Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General in the DRC and the Deputy Force Commander of the United Nations Mission in the DRC (MONUC).
Prof. Turok (ANC) to ask the Deputy President:
(1) Whether, following his statement on the undermining of South African moral values on television, he will consider replacing the entire board of the SABC; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(2) Whether the Government has any procedures for monitoring sex and violence on television; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(3) Whether the Government will lesson the self-sufficiency on the part of the SABC to enable it to concentrate on quality programmes; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details
REPLY:
(1) No. The Board of the SABC is appointed by the President on the advice of Parliament. There are procedures outlined in the Act governing the removal from office of the Board after due investigation by Parliament.
We are not looking at the removal of the Board as a remedy to this situation. Rather we have launched the Moral Regeneration Movement to facilitate inclusive and ongoing discussions on moral values. These discussions, and the fact that the SABC is an active partner in the MRM, will hopefully yield positive results. I also trust that the SABC has been following the debates on the MRM including the one that took place in this House yesterday. I hope that they pay particular attention to the concerns of Honourable Members about programmes they regard as problematic.
(2) The licensing and monitoring of the performance of broadcasters is undertaken by the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA). ICASA maintains a monitoring unit, which undertakes the monitoring of performance of broadcasters including compliance with sex and violence regulations.
(3) Government promotes the provision of an efficient service delivery that focuses on quality programmes. Achieving self-sufficiency on the part of the SABC is seen by government as laying a basis for the delivery of such quality programmes. The Broadcasting Amendment Bill currently before Parliament also seeks to address the issue of improving the licence collection system.
Mr. N S Booi (ANC) to ask the Deputy President:
(a) What progress has been made in the peace process in the Great Lakes region, (b) what future role will South Africa play in this process and (c) what is the anticipated extent of South Africa's involvement therein?
REPLY:
(a) Madam Speaker before I respond to this Question allow me to say that it is appropriate on this day to think of the American people and particularly those who lost their loved ones on September 11 last year. We trust that memories of this tragedy and others, will encourage all of us to work even harder to intensify peace efforts throughout the world.
A lot has been done in peace process in the Great Lakes region since the signing of the Lusaka Cease-fire Agreement in 1999.
A key development was the hosting of the Inter-Congolese Dialogue at Sun City from 25 February to 19 April 2002 which adopted 37 important resolutions on the integration of opposing armed forces, the economic reconstruction of the country, national reconciliation and a humanitarian assistance programme.
This was followed on 30 July 2002 by the signing in Pretoria of the Peace Agreement Between the Governments of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda on the withdrawal of Rwandan Troops from the Territory of the DRC and the Dismantling of ex-FAR and Interahamwe Forces in the DRC.
The Namibian army has already completely withdrawn from the territory of the DRC. There are reports of other nations which are in the process of withdrawing or planning to withdraw.
As far as Burundi is concerned, there is a continued deployment of South African troops in that country and the Deputy President is currently engaged in efforts to obtain a ceasefire agreement between the armed groups and the Transitional Government of Burundi.
A Ceasefire Agreement was reached on 26 August 2002 between the Transitional Government of Burundi and the National Council for the Defence of Democracy / Forces for the Defence of Democracy (CNDD-FDD) of Colonel Jean Bosco Ndayikengurukiye, culminating in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding. The Cease-fire Agreement, which has been initialled by the parties concerned, will be signed at a later date.
Efforts are continuing to include other armed groups in the process. The Phalipehutu-FNL is currently engaged in South Africa in consultations with the facilitation technical team. The negotiations between the Burundi Transitional Government and the CNDD-FDD of Pierre Nkurunziza will continue in Tanzania next week. The last Great Lakes Summit will take place in a few weeks time.
(b) South Africa, as a member of the United Nations (UN) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) as well as chair of the African Union (AU), will continue to play a positive role in the peace process and will listen very carefully to advice from the government and the people of the DRC on how best we can contribute to the post-conflict reconstruction of the DRC and the attainment of lasting peace and stability.
(c) South Africa intends to be involved in the peace process in the Great Lakes region to the extent possible, within our capabilities, to facilitate the achievement of the objectives of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) and the African Renaissance.
Issued by: Office of the Deputy President