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Cabinet held its last meeting of the year today, 2 December 1998. The meeting noted progress in negotiations with the European Union regarding trade and other matters. Cabinet approved the approach adopted by South Africa's negotiators on outstanding issues, and reiterated that we should seek an agreement that will promote the development interests of South Africa.

The meeting expressed satisfaction at the commemoration of World AIDS Day yesterday; and noted the multifaceted awareness programme being undertaken by government in partnership with various sectors of civil society.

Cabinet considered the nature of the legislative programme for the last sitting of Parliament early next year, and resolved to process Bills that are both urgent and would not require elaborate processes that may not fit into the short session. Besides statutes that will be considered at the first meetings of Cabinet in the New Year, the meeting approved:

* Amendments to the Public Investment Commissioners Act which among others allows investments which promote social responsibility and infrastructure development;

* Prevention of Organised Crime Bill to rectify textual errors which were identified at its Second Reading during the last session of Parliament;

* Criminal Procedure Second Amendment Bill which will repeal provisions of the existing Act in terms of which certain sentences of magistrates courts are subject in the ordinary course to review by a judge of the High Court;

* Public Service Amendment Bill which provides for heads of departments and organisational components to be appointed by the President and respective Premiers, among others, in order to allow for re-deployment and utilisation of these public servants on a government-wide basis.

Cabinet also approved the White Paper on Energy Policy subject to relevant inter-ministerial consultation on aspects of the Paper. It also approved the publication of the White Paper on the development of the Construction Industry, including processes towards the setting up of a Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB).

On international matters, Cabinet was briefed on preparations for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) which will take place in Durban, South Africa on 12 - 15 November 1999. The meeting agreed on South Africa's contribution to the International Development Association (IDA), a concessional lending window of the World Bank. It also approved the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement between SA and the United Nations pertaining to assistance that South Africa may render to missions of the UN such as the clearing of land-mines in Angola.

Cabinet approved the following appointments:

* Dipak Patel as Directors-General of the Department of Transport;
* Members of the Public Accountants' and Auditors' Board for 1998/99:
* P Masemola as Chairperson and ZJ Sithole as full member of the Council of the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS);
* Upgrading of posts of Provincial Commissioner of the Department of Correctional Services in Kwazulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape to the level of Deputy Director-General.

Cabinet reviewed the voter registration experience over the past week-end and the challenges in the remaining provinces. While acknowledging the independence and autonomy of the IEC, as well as the special role of political parties in this regard, the meeting emphasised the need for government to play a more active role in encouraging eligible citizens to come out and register. The meeting thanked the public servants who volunteered their services for this purpose, and urged for more intensive mobilisation in preparation for further registration periods in the new year.

Cabinet received a report on the monitoring of progress towards making the country's computer infrastructure Year 2000 compatible. While some progress has been made in this regard, Cabinet called on public and private institutions to speed up their work in this regard.

The meeting also received a report on the recent meeting of the Supreme Council for Sport in Africa (SCSA) as well as preparations for the 7th All Africa Games which will be hosted by the City of Johannesburg in September 1999. Cabinet congratulated Minister Steve Tshwete for his appointment as the President-in-Office of the SCSA.

For further information contact: Joel Netshitenzhe 082-900-0083

Issued by: Government Communications (GCIS), 2 December 1998

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