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At its meeting today, Cabinet was briefed on negotiations regarding public sector salaries. Cabinet confirmed the final offer from government, and urged the public sector unions to accept the settlement in the context, among others, of the process being launched on general wage policy.

Cabinet also noted the variety of activities organised to mark Women's Day, with the central campaign theme around the critical question of violence against women and children. These include religious services on Sunday, as well as an address to the nation by President Mbeki.

The meeting also approved the allocation of R1-billion of the Poverty Relief Fund to a variety of projects aimed particularly at job creation. The Minister of Finance will make relevant announcements in this regard in the next two days.

Cabinet approved for promulgation the Regulations by the Minister of Defence for purposes of providing a regulatory framework for trade union rights within the South African National Defence Force. These regulations are being finalised with the State Law Advisor to ensure that they are consistent with the limitation clause contained in the Constitution.

With regard to the fight against crime, Cabinet:

* agreed to the publication of a notice for the re-inclusion of second-hand motor vehicles, parts and accessories under the operation of the Second-hand Goods Act: this will provide for a proper regulatory environment to strengthen the power of the police to combat vehicle crime;

* noted progress in the process of reducing the number of international airports from forty to ten, with special arrangements for others where the need may arise;

* approved that the Prevention of Organised Crime Second Amendment Bill be submitted to Parliament for consideration as early as possible after the opening of the session this month: Presiding officers in Parliament will be approached to expedite the matter.

Cabinet approved the time-table for the policy process on Electronic Commerce. It also noted the Public Information Terminals (PIT) programme to expand grassroots access to communication technologies such as the Internet, Electronic Mail and government information. The meeting emphasised the urgency of developing a framework for the regulation of communication technologies in line with standards developed elsewhere in the world.

Cabinet approved that the Local Government Municipal Systems Bill be released for public comment prior to its finalisation. The Bill deals with such matters as the roles of service providers, a uniform country-wide approach to matters of municipal transformation; and it provides a basis for a comprehensive review of a large body of laws and ordinances inherited from the past.

The meeting approved the proposal for public participation in the process of changing the country's National Coat of Arms.

Cabinet approved the appointment of:

* Chief Deputy Commissioner (Provincial Commissioner - KwaZulu-Natal): Mr CT Jordaan

* Chief Deputy Commissioner (Operational Support - Head Office): Mr AM Esmaraldo

* Deputy Director-General in the Department of Finance: Mr GA Gulston.

Please note that the appointments referred to above (Provincial Commissioner and Chief Deputy Commissioner (Operational Support) are in the Department of Correctional Services.

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

Issued by: Government Communications (GCIS), 4 August 1999
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