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Cabinet today approved a schedule for the implementation of the new system of Cabinet Committees which was adopted last month. The new system will be implemented from January 2000. The Committees are: Economic Sector; Social Sector; Investment and Employment; Governance and Administration; Justice and Crime Prevention; and International Relations.

Cabinet was briefed on the programme of Parliament for the first half of next year. The programme includes the finalisation by the end of January of the Open Democracy and other Bills referred to in the Constitution, as well as the State of the Nation Address by the President on 4 February 2000.

The meeting was briefed on the Inaugural Session of the Binational Commission between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and SA. It also congratulated South African representatives to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting as well as all those who were involved in ensuring the success of CHOGM.

Cabinet noted the appointment of Tramsanqa Nxumalo as Acting Commissioner of Correctional Services. It approved the following appointments:

* Adv. Vusi Pikoli as Director-General at the Department of Justice;
* Enver Daniels as Chief State Law Adviser;
* Deputy Directors-General in the Departments of Transport, Public Works, and Public Service and Administration;
* the Managing Director of the State Information Technology Agency (SITA), Tebogo Matsoso;
* the Board of the National Library of SA which will be chaired by Professor SP Manaka;
* the Board of Khula Enterprises Finance Limited;
* extension of the term of office of the existing South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) Council until 31 December 1999;
* the Statutory Board of the South African National Botanical Institute (NBI), to be chaired by Dr N Tsengwa.

Cabinet approved the following Bills for submission to Parliament:

* Firearms Control Bill which deals with regulations pertaining to the ownership of firearms;
* Cultural Laws Amendment Bill which deals with various institutional matters in legislation on cultural matters.

The meeting approved the policy positions and delegation to represent South Africa on trade matters at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Third Ministerial Conference in Seattle later this month.

Cabinet was briefed on the latest developments regarding the trade agreement signed with the European Union. The South African government's position is that this matter has been conclusively dealt with, and we respect the integrity of the process that led to the signing of the Agreement South Africa is ready to implement the Agreement within the time frames agreed upon.

Cabinet approved in principle to the establishment of a National AIDS Council which will include representatives of Government and civil society. Details in this regard will be announced in due course.

On the issue of the decision by the Investigation Unit led by Judge W Heath regarding the so-called ABSA life-boat, Cabinet wishes to make it clear that the decision was that of the Unit and not Government. The President and the Minister of Finance were merely informed, in accordance with legislation, of this decision by the Judge. Cabinet welcomes the initiative taken by the Reserve Bank to clarify the principles underpinning such practices.

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

Issued by: GCIS, 17 November 1999

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