Statement on Cabinet meeting of 17 May 2000

17 May 2000

Cabinet reiterated the South African government's commitment to solidarity with the people of Angola. Cabinet noted the period 15-30 May 2000 has been declared Angola Focus Weeks by the Department of Welfare and calls upon all South Africans to mark this week by, inter alia, contributing to the Angola Solidarity Fund. Mr Kgati Sathekge (082 808 9486) of the Department of Welfare can be contacted for further details.

South Africa has been attending the 2000 Review of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) being held in New York until the end of this week. Cabinet noted with appreciation the significant role played by South Africa in 1995 in obtaining the indefinite extension of the treaty.

Cabinet has agreed to the transfer of medicolegal mortuaries from the South African Police Services to the provincial health departments. This will be phased in depending on the capacity of the individual health departments.

Cabinet noted the meeting of the Technical Forum of diamond experts held in Kimberley and agreed to a high level government sponsored conference being held in July 2000 in South Africa. This would help take forward the proposal of the Mining Indaba 2000 held on 10 February 2000 where South Africa had been asked to facilitate the joint initiative of African diamond producing countries.

The Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism was given approval to set aside R1.5 million of its 2001/2002 budget for the 5th World Parks Congress which will be convened in September 2002 in Durban.

The following appointments were approved:
 

• Regional Land Claims Commissioners in the Commission on Restitution of Land Rights; Ms T. A. Shange (KwaZulu Natal); Mr S. T. R. Ramakane (Free State and Northern Cape): and Mr A. M. B. Phela (Gauteng and North West).
• Mr S. D.O. Msikinya to the post of Director-General, Department of Transport.
• Dr K. S. Chetty to the post of Deputy Director-General, Department of Health.
• Mr M.P. Mokotedi to the post of Deputy Director-General, Department of Public Works

Enquiries
Y Abba Omar
Deputy CEO of Government Communications
Cell: 082 414 3383

Issued by: Government Communications (GCIS)

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