Statement on Cabinet meeting of 18 November 2009

18 November 2009

Cabinet held its ordinary meeting in Pretoria today, 18 November 2009.

Cabinet decided to set up an Anti-Corruption Inter-Ministerial Committee to effectively deal with all incidence of corruption in the public service. This Inter-Ministerial Committee will study the report and recommendations on corruption issued by the Public Service Commission and other reports. The Inter-Ministerial Committee will ensure that action is taken against all persons who are involved in corrupt practices involving public finances. The South African Government takes strong exception to corrupt practices and regards the matter very seriously because of the potential damage that this could cause to the country’s reputation globally.

In this regard, Government condemns all private sector companies that are involved in corrupt practices including paying bribes to public officials.  Government warns all state employees that strong action will be taken against anyone involved in corrupt practices.

The Anti-Corruption Inter-Ministerial Committee will be chaired by Mr Collins Chabane, Minister in the Presidency, and it will include the Ministers of Public Service and Administration, Finance, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Social Development and representatives from the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) Cluster. The committee will present its report and action plan at the Cabinet Lekgotla in January 2010.

Cabinet approved the request to deploy the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to render borderline control and protection. The deployment of the SANDF will be incorporated into the border control strategy being finalised by the JCPS Cluster.

Cabinet was shocked and unhappy about the disrespect that was meted out of the national flag during the international rugby game between South Africa and France last Friday. The national anthem and the flag are national symbols that must be respected and protected by everyone especially our national sports associations and other cultural bodies during the international events. The Minister of Sports has written to the rugby authorities requesting them to provide an explanation of what happened and to ensure that steps are taken to prevent a recurrence of the incident in France.

The Road Accident Fund’s draft No-Fault policy was approved for publication and public comment. The draft proposes a shift from a blame and fault based policy to universal coverage. The policy will be published shortly for public comment.

The draft Trade Policy and Strategy Framework was approved for public comment. The document will be published shortly.

Cabinet decided that all future court judgements against the State sounding in money will be complied with within 30 days. All outstanding court judgements sounding in money against the state will be complied with immediately. This decision follows the Constitutional Court Judgement (Nyathi vs MEC for Health, Gauteng and Another) which declared section 3 of the State Liability Act 20 of 1957 invalid. State Departments will now be required to settle such debts within 30 days to prevent the attachment of the State’s immovable property.

South Africa’s election to the executive council of the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) was welcomed.

While Government will support working people and communities against unfair and illegal practices by employers that circumvent labour or immigration laws, we will not tolerate the violent targeting of refugee communities or any resurgence of the events of last year.

The Department of Home Affairs, Department of Health and Statistics SA will meet urgently to look at the statistics of mortality rates.  However, Government wants to discourage the debate on numbers which could distract us from the real challenges of taking urgent steps to deal with the causes of death, especially the impact of HIV and AIDS.  

Cabinet approved the following appointments:
 

• Ms NT Msomi was appointed Director-General in the Department of Justice
• Ms MJ Mxakato-Diseko was appointed as Deputy Director-General in the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.
• Ms TS January-Mclean was appointed as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of  South African Tourism (SAT)
• Advocate MB Mkhize as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Nuclear Regulator of SA (NNRSA)
• Ms C Khuzwayo (Chairperson), Mr J Lesejane (Deputy Chairperson), Mr N Nyoka, Ms GN Banda and Ms KR Mthimunye were appointed as candidates to serve as board members of the National Energy Regulator of SA (NERSA)  with effect from 1 January 2010 until 31 January 2013.
• Dr T Cohen (Chairperson), Mr T Mofokeng (Deputy Chairperson), Ms D Kgomo, Ms J Yawitch, Mr WN Lesufi, Dr DG Van der Merwe, Mr D Elbrecht, Mr J Leaver, Ms M Liefferink and Mr B Nemagovhani (alternate member) were appointed to serve as members of the board of the National Nuclear Regulator of SA (NNRSA)

Enquiries:
Themba Maseko (Government Spokesperson)
Contact: 083 645 0810

Issued by Government Communications (GCIS)

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