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At its meeting today Cabinet received a comprehensive report from the Department of Home Affairs on progress regarding the provision of bar-coded Identity Documents to citizens who have applied for them. Cabinet noted the special effort that has been put into this campaign, including the "blitz delivery" of IDs to their owners during the course of this week and next week.

While appreciating the progress that has been made, Cabinet urged for continuous and detailed monitoring of developments and regular reports to the Presidency as the process unfolds. The Cabinet also called for a simple and user-friendly procedure for voters who may require Temporary Identification Certificates.

Cabinet considered the implementation of the recommendations of the National Task Team on the Minibus-Taxi Industry; and it agreed on the roll-over of funds to intensify the process of restructuring the industry in the current financial year.

There was also a review of progress in the tourism sector in the past year, including: the building of strong partnerships with the private sector and the establishment of a high level strategic Tourism Forum; restructuring and restaffing of SATOUR; improving tourism training; upgrading tourism safety through the Tourism Safety Task Team; and integrated programmes among Provinces and local government.

The meeting approved a new Notice exempting money-lending transactions up to R10 000, with a loan-term of less than 36 months, from the provisions of the Usury Act. This increases the ceiling from R6 000, and is subject to specific conditions, including that the money lender must be registered with a regulatory institution approved by the Minister.

Cabinet agreed that the current fuel regulatory mechanism should remain in place during the transformation period towards deregulation. However, during the course of the current investigations, the mechanisms can be improved, where necessary. The investigations and consultations should be finalised by the end of 1999.

Cabinet agreed on the establishment of a Freedom Park Trust, and names of Trustees will be considered in due course. Pretoria has been chosen as the site of the Freedom Park, and possible sites are being identified by the Ministers of Public Works and Arts, Culture Science and Technology.

Cabinet approved the submission of Parliament of the International Convention on the Nationality of Married Women. This among others reiterates South Africa's own position that no one should be arbitrarily deprived of his or her nationality, nor denied the right to change it.

The meeting received a report from the Committee of Ministers charged with the evaluation of the Report of the Presidential Review Commission. The Commission made recommendations on 5 broad areas; transforming the structure and functions of governance; managing human resources; budgeting and financial management; and information management systems and technology.

Government once more wishes to thank the Commissioners for a job well done; and it sees their Report as an important intervention in the evaluation and transformation of the public service. Most of the recommendations are already being implemented. However, those pertaining to the structure and functions of the Office of the President, the re-configuration of National Ministries and Departments, and the position of Deputy Ministers will be decided upon by the President.

Cabinet approved the time frames for the audit of the public service in terms of skills and service. The audit will take one month to six weeks; development of options for re-deployment three to six months; and restructuring and deployment up to six months. These measures will be undertaken through a consultative process involving all role-players.

12 May 1999

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

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