The Cabinet agreed on Wednesday to institute an investigation into foreign land ownership in South Africa and how it impacted on land reforms.
Government spokesperson Joel Netshitenzhe said in Pretoria that the audit would be run by the Department of Agriculture and Land Affairs.
”Following the audit, a panel of experts from within government and outside will then debate the results to see if there is a need for restrictions,” he said. Public discussions would be held as well.
Reporting back on the first Cabinet meeting in two weeks, Netshitenzhe said numerous items had been discussed.
Cabinet announced that the health department would be reviewing new information concerning nevirapine as a monotherapy in preventing mother-to-child transmissions of HIV.
Netshitenzhe said the department was reviewing the information in order to make recommendations to Cabinet on the future course of action, taking into account information that demonstrated that combined anti-retroviral therapy was more effective and less risky.
”In the meantime, nevirapine monotherapy will be provided in public hospitals as is currently the practice, ensuring that mothers are given all the necessary facts so that they can make an informed choice,” he said.
In the education field, an interim management team would be deployed to assist the beleaguered Eastern Cape education department, which despite a concerted effort was still underperforming.
”The meeting decided on a one year intervention programme to assist the Eastern Cape department of education, which will include the deployment of a team of officials from national government and other provinces and strengthening of management and monitoring mechanisms,” Netshitenzhe said.
On foreign affairs the Cabinet took the decision to extend SA National Defence Force participation in the United Nation’s mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the UN/African Union mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea, by one year.
It also noted with ”appreciation” the unanimous decision of the AU to approve South Africa as the host country for the Pan African Parliament. According to Foreign Affairs Minister Nkosozana Dlamini-Zuma this was a wonderful opportunity to learn about other cultures and a chance to build bridges across Africa.
The meeting decided to observe the adoption by the UN Security Council of Resolution 1540 (2004) — which imposes binding legal obligation on member states to adopt and enforce laws prohibiting the manufacture of weapons of mass destruction, and their acquisition, transport or use.
”Cabinet also approved policy and procedure on access of foreign military and other such vessels to territorial and internal waters and ports of South Africa,” Netshitenzhe said.
Turning its gaze to Women’s Month in August, Cabinet approved planned activities which would combine the celebration of 10 years of freedom with programmes pushing for women’s emancipation.
On the cyber front, Cabinet noted the placing of the details of government’s programme of action on the government website.
”This marked a new era in ensuring accountability and public involvement in monitoring and evaluating of government activities,” Netshitenzhe said.
This website, as well as the launch of Batho Pele e-Gateway in the upcoming month, would provide ”one-stop, twenty-four-hour access to information about government services.
”This initiative complements other programmes to improve services to citizens, such as the employment of community development workers and the launch of more Multipurpose Community Centres,” he said.
President Thabo Mbeki has called for the creation of 60 MCCs before the end of the year.
”The 58th was opened on the Free State yesterday,” Netshitenzhe said. – Sapa