Statement on the Cabinet meeting held on 26 August 2009
27 August 2009
Cabinet re-affirmed its commitment to implement the Bus
Rapid Transport (BRT) system in partnership with all the stakeholders,
particularly the taxi industry. The BRT initiative is aimed at improving and
changing the way commuters can travel in our major cities. Improving public
transport for South Africans is not negotiable as it has the potential to
improve the quality of life of our citizens and to increase productivity across
the board.
Government is firmly committed to making sure that all
affected stakeholders are consulted and are part of the initiative. It is for
this reason that government agreed to the establishment of the National Joint
Working Group on Public Transport. This Working Group will lay the basis for a
stronger partnership between Government and the taxi industry. Government is
firmly committed to working with the taxi industry to address all their
legitimate interests, concerns, and anxieties as the industry goes through this
transformation.
At the same time the contractual agreements to implement
the BRT will be signed between the respective cities and the relevant taxi
associations. As national government we are committed to support and safeguard
the integrity of the city-led negotiation process.
Government fully appreciates the contribution made by the
taxi industry over many decades in moving South Africans around the country.
Hence our commitment to work with the industry to ensure that it is not
marginalised. In actual fact, Government sees the taxi industry as forming part
of this initiative. The Joint Working Group was established to address all
concerns and reservations of the industry including but not limited to the BRT.
All the cities that are implementing the BRT system have
made unequivocal commitments to ensure that the affected operators are consulted
and become an integral part of the BRT.
Having said that, government condemns all threats of
violence against the implementation of the BRT. Such threats of violence and
actual violent conduct are viewed in a very serious light and will not be
tolerated. The law enforcement agencies will not hesitate to take strong action
against those who either threaten or perpetrate any form of violence. Whilst the
right to protest by those who are unhappy about the BRT is respected, this right
cannot be exercised at the expense of law abiding citizens who have an equal
right to a safe, punctual and efficient ride between home and work.
Cabinet condemned, in the strongest possible terms, the
illegal and violent protest at the Union Buildings by members of the South
African National Defence Union (SANDU). Defying a court order, engaging in
unnecessary violent behaviour, causing damage to private and public property,
and attempting to invade the seat of government is totally unacceptable,
especially from people who have the responsibility of being the true defenders
of the constitution. All those who were involved in this unruly behaviour must
expect no sympathy from the State, as the law will take its course.
The time is fast approaching where the State cannot be
expected to stand by while the laws of the land are being trampled upon, public
and private property is being destroyed, untold damage is being caused to the
country’s reputation as a stable and emerging democracy, and most importantly,
the rights of law abiding citizens are being infringed upon in the name of
protesting.
Cabinet congratulated all the athletes for participating
in the 12th International Association of Athletics Federations IAAF, held in
Berlin on 12-23 August 2009 and for winning two gold medals and a silver in 800
meters race and the long jump respectively. Caster Semenya, Khotso Mokoena and
Mbulaeni Mulaudzi made all South Africans very proud. They lifted South Africa
to the top 10 on the medals table at the conclusion of the championships. A
special word of congratulations goes to Caster Semenya, whom President Zuma
referred to as the ‘golden girl’ for silencing her critics by winning gold
against all odds. Her achievement, especially during Women's Month, will serve
to inspire millions of women, young and old, in South Africa and the rest of the
developing world, to reach for the skies against all odds.
The Human Resources Development Strategy for South Africa
(HRD-SA) 2010-2030 was discussed. The meeting decided that further work needs to
be done to achieve greater alignment between the strategy and the electoral
mandate; to take the current economic conditions into account; to include a
stronger vision for the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) as
well as the location of the further education and training (FET) colleges; and
the need to reflect on the unintended consequences of the merger of some of the
universities and other institutions of higher learning, particularly the Medical
University of South Africa (MEDUNSA).
The Ministerial Task Team on cost cutting measures in
government that is led by the Minister of Finance, Minister Pravin Gordhan,
indicated that it would be tabling its report shortly. President Zuma will
announce these cost cutting measures as soon as Cabinet has discussed and
approved the report.
The document on the development indicators was approved
and will be published shortly. The 2009 edition contains 76 indicators that are
clustered into 10 themes. These indicators are an important evaluation tool that
will be used to measure the impact of the various Government policies and
service delivery initiatives, and add value to the efficient planning and
implementation of government programmes.
The Green Paper on National Strategic Planning was
approved. The Green Paper provides for, among other things, the establishment of
the Planning Commission. The Green Paper will be submitted to Parliament
together with the Green Paper on Performance, Monitoring and Evaluation shortly.
The Department of Health’s interventions and messages on
the H1N1 pandemic were discussed and the meeting noted that the Minister of
Health was scheduled to make a statement in Parliament on the government
response to the pandemic.
South Africa’s participation at the second Africa-South
America summit was approved. This summit will serve to strengthen South-South
cooperation and the consolidation of the African agenda. The Summit will take
place in Caracas, Venezuela from 22 to 27 September 2009.
The meeting noted that the next Southern African
Development Community (SADC) summit was scheduled to take place on 7 to 8
September 2009 in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The DRC will take over
the chairpersonship of SADC for the next year.
Cabinet decided that the number of persons who are
appointed into the Boards and Councils of State and State-controlled bodies
should be broadened to give more South Africans the opportunity to serve the
nation. The appointment of Chairpersons of Boards should be contingent on
appropriate experience and qualifications. The Minister of Public Enterprises is
compiling a database of persons who could be considered for appointment to these
boards.
A 10.5% cost of living salary adjustment for the office
bearers of the South African Human Rights Commission was noted and approved. The
Ministers of Justice and Constitutional Development and of Public Service and
Administration were mandated to investigate the salary structure of office
bearers of all Chapter 9 institutions and to make recommendations in this
regard. The two ministers were also asked to expedite all outstanding matters
regarding the Report of the Ad hoc Committee on the Review of Chapter 9
Institutions.
Ms Mamodopi Mohlala was appointed to the post of
Director-General in the Department of Communication. She is the current Pension
Fund Adjudicator. Her previous positions include the following: Councillor of
the Independent Communicationa Authority of South Africa (Icasa); Managing
Director of Mohlala Attorneys and lecturer at Unisa. Her qualifications include
a BA in Law, an LLB, and LLM.
Mr Jimmy Manyi was appointed to the post of
Director-General in the Department of Labour. Mr Manyi is currently the Group
Executive of Corporate Affairs at Tiger Brands. His previous positions include
Director of Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) and Corporate Affairs at IBM;
Director of Corporate Affairs and Public Policy at Barclays Bank PLC and
Executive Director of Business Banking and Marketing at Nedcor-Peoples Bank. His
qualifications include: Chartered Marketer Programme; Senior Executive Programme;
National Higher Diploma in Economic Geology and a National Diploma in Geology.
Ms Jesse Duarte was appointed to the post Chief Operations
Officer in the Presidency. She is currently the Spokesperson of the African
National Congress and her work experience include: Deputy Director-General and
Chief Director in the former Department of Foreign Affairs, and South Africa’s
High Commissioner to Mozambique.
The following appointments were also approved:
- Ms Lusanda Mxenge was appointed to the post of Deputy Director-General in charge of the Cabinet Office in the Presidency.
- Mr Mkhuseni Apleni was appointed to the post of Deputy Director-General in charge of Finance and Supply Chain Management in the Department of Home Affairs.
- Concurred with the recommendation to appoint of Dr B Mehlomakhulu as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS).
- Mr CB Sibisi (Chairperson); Dr T Demana; Dr MJ Ellman; Mr WK Masvikwa; Mr ME Mkhanazi; Ms B Mosako; Ms WIJ Poulton; Ms DIM Sekonyela and Dr B Mehlomakhulu (ex officio) were appointed to the Board of the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS)
- Ms C da Silva; Mr MA Samie; Ms JRK du Preez; Ms M Lehutso-Phooko; Mr H du Toit and Ms B Njenje were appointed to the Board of the South African Special Risk Insurance Association (SASRIA) for a period of three years. Mr G Matthee was re-appointed as the Executive Director of SASRIA for three years and Mr C Ramaphosa was re-appointed as Chairperson of the Board.
- Concurred with the re-appointment of Mr M Mcdonald; Ms T Eboka and Ms T van Meelis to the part-time posts of commissioners at the International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC) at the Department of trade and Industry for a three-year term.
- Mr Z Fihlani and Mr J Lesejane were appointed to the
Board of the Export Credit Insurance Corporation (ECIC) for a three-year
period. Mr T Ditshego and Ms L Mvanana’s terms in the Board were extended
for a year. Mr I Sharma’s term was extended to coincide with his employment
contract, which expires on 28 February 2012.
The Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons
Bill was approved and will be submitted to Parliament.
Enquiries:
Themba Maseko (Government Spokesperson)
Cell: 083 645 0810
Issued by Government Communications (GCIS)
