Documents handed out
Presentation by Minister of Sport (Appendix 1)
Presentation by Department of Foreign Affairs (Appendix 2)
Briefing by Department of Foreign Affairs
The statement was presented by Mr Lekota, Minister of Defence, on behalf of the Department of Foreign Affairs. (see document)
Briefing by Department of Sport and Recreation
Mr Ngconde Balfour, Minister of Sport and Recreation, presented the briefing (see document).
Questions and Answers
Q) Mr Aziz Pahad, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, was asked to explain the statement made by the ANC Secretary General to the effect that the United States could attack South Africa in the near future.
A) Deputy Minister Pahad replied that he has seen the reports of the Secretary General, but two days ago the President stated that there is no indication of any pressure being put on South Africa to toe the line, by the United States or any other country. Government believes that there is an understanding amongst all concerned that a solution has to be found to the problem with weapons of mass destruction. The Secretary General will be asked to clarify his statement, but Deputy Minister Pahad stated that he stands by the statements he made in the Parliamentary debate.
Q) Deputy Minister Pahad was asked to provide a full and comprehensive report of the meetings held with the Iraqi Ministers.
A) Deputy Minister Pahad responded that this matter should not be discussed in this media briefing, and referred interested parties to the extensive speeches he has presented in Parliament over the last two days. The speeches reflect the simple point that the eradication of weapons of mass destruction is not debatable, but is instead an objective that has to be achieved. It is important that good work is done to achieve this. There are still areas that need proactive co-operation, and all parties have to work together to address this matter.
Q) Further clarity was sought with regard to the local weapons team that is to leave for Iraq, with regard the date of their departure and the length of their stay in Iraq.
A) Deputy Minister Pahad replied that South Africa is at one with every country because no country has stated in principle that it wants war. The experts would be leaving for Iraq not to conduct inspections but instead to share South Africa’s experience with regard to its own disarmament process. These experts could even stay in Iraq for a longer period than anticipated if they are so needed, in the hope that they would have something to contribute to the process. It will not be the mandate of the South African experts to complement the work currently being done by the United Nations inspection team.
Q) Could Deputy Minister Pahad comment on the anti-Zimbabwe protests that are currently being staged at the Franco-African Summit?
A) Deputy Minister Pahad responded that the protests are being staged because many countries are concerned about the problems in Zimbabwe. There are several other concerns, such as economic, political and social issues that also need to be addressed. The South African government continues to search for ways in which it and other SADC countries can resolve that conflict. Deputy Minister Pahad stated that the speech he had delivered in Parliament within the last few days would be useful here.
Q) During yesterday’s media briefing Minister Fraser-Moleketi discussed the transformation of the public service, and she also indicated that there are problems with regard to the transformation of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). Could Minister Lekota explain these problems and the plans put in place, if any, to accelerate transformation in the South African National Defence Force?
A) Minister Lekota replied that the Department of Defence is currently working on the transformation process, and several steps have been put in place to exit quite a number of senior officers from the Department of Defence. A new training programme has also been launched that is aimed at training a significant number of young people in the navy, air force etc. At this point in time several thousands have been recruited from which the Department of Defence will then select certain recruits and draft them into a certain section.
One of the schemes introduced a year ago is the establishment of a national security agency, and here members of the SANDF were moved to this agency. The aim here is both to beef up security and to create a new agency that would carry out those tasks that the South African Police Services (SAPS) would not be able to deal with without the constant support of the SANDF. This has marked the increasing withdrawal of the SANDF from the policing authority because it is not the original task of the SANDF, so that the SANDF could, to a large extent, concentrate on its primary functions.
The Department of Defence is also begun the steps to phase out the commandos, because this is critical in the advancement of the transformation process within the SANDF. These commandos are essentially civilians that are acting undercover, and are in fact not trained safety and security officers. They are not employed on a full-time basis, but were instead put there to assist the police during a certain period in this country’s history. They have to be removed, and here it is important to distinguish these commandos, that are actually a product of the Apartheid regime from the notion of the old Boer War commando, as the former are white South African that were enlisted to stem the tide of the liberation struggle. The two are thus not the same. A consequence of this intention was then to give weapons to members of the community.
Recent reports published in the last two to three years have indicated that it is these members of the white South African community that are playing a role in the brutalisation of black South Africans. It is structures such as these, which are not operating under proper training, regulation and arresting powers, that cannot be allowed in a Constitutional order. Government thus owes it to its electorate to phase out these structures in a manner that reinforces the protection of all citizens. This is all part of the process of transformation.
Q) During his opening remarks Minister Lekota sought to link the domestic and international imperatives, and stated that one of the reasons for this is the need for global peace in order to achieve the objectives of the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD). Could Minister Lekota provide specific examples here, especially with regard to South Africa and its successes with regard to poverty alleviation, education etc?
A) Minister Lekota responded that he would not be able to provide any specific examples here, but would instead provide a general example. In Burundi and Angola for example, the extent of the domestic conflict disrupted life made it impossible for very many of the young people to even sit in a classroom. Minister Lekota stated that he would like to think that South Africa will ensure peace and stability with the help of its friends and supporters. When this is achieved, it will create an atmosphere that will return the citizens to their normal lives. Development will also pick up consequently, and this in turn will cut off the reason that makes it necessary for those citizens to leave their country for another.
The battle against poverty in those countries will benefit from the normalisation of economic life. In this regard South Africa is involved in the clearing the landmine sites in Angola, because it cannot be expected to host legitimate elections if voters cannot even gain access to the voting stations. South Africa is thus making efforts in this direction. Minister Lekota stated that in this sense he is saying that the advantage of peace and stability is that it creates conditions within which sustainable development can take place.
Q) Minister Lekota was asked to comment on the recent reports regarding the controversy in the SAS Amatola deal. There seems to be a problem with failing circuitry with these and a South African business has instituted a charge for damages for failing to be awarded the contract.
A) Minister Lekota replied that such problems could always potentially arise in any transaction of this size and nature. Government ha signed contracts with particular international companies for building these ships, and these companies then in turn signed a secondary contract with other businesses to supply them with materials needed to complete the commodity purchased. Government told the primary contractor that it is responsible for providing a product of the necessary quality, as paid for by the South African electorate. Should the final product not be of a satisfactory quality, it is the duty of the South African government to insist that that level of quality is met.
The matter of the lawsuit is between the primary and secondary contractors, and they alone have to resolve their own problems.
Q) It appears from all the reports on the matter, that the Iraqi’s themselves have built those weapons of mass destruction. What then can the South African experts go over there and teach the Iraqi’s about disarming those same weapons, which the Iraqi’s themselves do not already know?
A) Deputy Minister Pahad responded that the issue here is not whether the South African experts can help the Iraqi government to hide its weapons of mass destruction or build better ones. In fact, all countries consider the South African model of disarmament as the best example of this process. The South African model is thus unique in that it does not impose forced disarmament, and is thus regarded as an excellent process.
The South African experts will be fully co-operative but will not serve as substitutes for the United Nations inspectors, because their area of speciality is not weapons production but rather the process of disarmament. It is hoped and expected that the South African experts will make a contribution with regard to ensuring disarmament in an open and transparent way, and if South Africa can share its highly regarded process, this could only be beneficial.
Q) Minister Balfour has stated that South Africa offers its sports facilities to other countries as training grounds. Minister Lekota is asked to explain whether South Africa similarly offers its military bases and facilities to foreign soldiers, and if so, which bases are these?
A) Minister Lekota replied that this has been done for some time already, and these facilities are made available to countries with whom South Africa is friendly, especially those on the continent. This is important to South Africa in cultivating a definitive relationship with other countries, as South Africa has benefited from the experience and expertise from other those countries during the peace-keeping missions, and those countries in turn benefit from our facilities. This also feeds into the African Union idea of joint peace-keeping internationally and this requires that countries on the African continent be familiar with each other, and with the work done by each.
South Africa is currently working with the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Mozambique etc. to begin developing this culture of supportive peace operations. It is particularly important that the means to monitor and sustain these missions are built up, and in this regard South Africa has to continue to increase its resources to be used for collaboration in other countries.
Q) In its efforts to resolve conflict in the region South Africa has gone out of its way to make contact with all the parties concerns in the conflict. In this regard, Deputy Minister Pahad is asked to explain why South Africa has systematically sidelined the leader of the MDC political party. Is this part of a South African policy? The MDC have stated that, whenever a South African delegation visits Zimbabwe, it never visits the MDC. What is the reason for this?
A) Deputy Minister Pahad responded that there is no policy decision to systematically sideline the MDC, because by and large there is an unwritten rule that parties will interact. The Secretary-General of the ANC has extensive discussions with the MDC and these will continue, it is assumed. The reason for specific South African Ministers’ not meeting with the MDC could be linked to the specific task that had to be carried out by that Minister during the visit to Zimbabwe.
Indeed, South Africa interacts in workshops and conferences with other countries without asking what political party it is dealing with. Deputy Minister Pahad stated that he can check with that Ministry to find out the reason for not interaction with the MDC. South Africa interacts with anyone that can move matters forward.
Minister Lekota added that the ANC was itself like the MDC at some point in that it too had to knock on the doors of ruling parties in other countries, some of which would not talk with the ANC. The interaction with the MDC was handled with such openness and South Africa made itself so available to the MDC that the Minister himself even had an unscheduled meeting with the MDC. At this meeting they were encouraged to establish a government of national unity in order to sort out the problems currently being experienced. The MDC cannot sit back like a crybaby and expect South Africa to babysit it, but must instead write to the South African government requesting a meeting to discuss these issues. No such letter has yet been received.
Q) The was a concern a few years ago with the fact that the average age of the South African soldier was the mid-thirties and older, and Minister Lekota has stated in his presentation that new recruits between the ages of eighteen and twenty will be enlisted. Minister Lekota is asked to indicate how far this process is, and the deadlines in place for the completion of this process.
A) Minister Lekota replied that this is a problem in any national defense force, and all efforts are being made to keep the ages of officers at levels at which they are most fit etc. This is an ongoing exercise, and the Department of Defence is working on this.
Q) It appears that Portugese and French speaking soldiers would be important for several of South Africa’s peace-keeping missions. Minister Lekota is asked to explain whether such language courses are in the works or whether interpreters will be employed.
A) Minister Lekota responded that this is an important issue, and stated that the Department of Defence does offer come courses to African countries to develop the English language usage of its officers. The South African government does also send out its own people for language capacity courses. They do have some difficulty but progress is being made. There are officers that do speak some African languages, and they are a major asset.
Minister Lekota added that he has just been informed by Minister Balfour that the correct term for the SAS Amatola should in fact be the "SAS Amatoli".
Q) There seems to be an enduring strain of "anti-US" principles within the ruling party, especially among its senior members, yet the ANC has maintained that it is not "anti-US". Deputy Minister Pahad is asked to explain how his party is coping with this.
A) Deputy Minister Pahad responded that this is a very dangerous assumption, because any real differences within the party that could reflect "anti-US" views would show via the national executive structure. This matter is being coped with via the usual ANC structures. Furthermore, the fact that there are strict anti-war views does not necessarily mean that there are "anti-US" views as well. A more friendly approach is needed here.
The problem is that any strong anti-US approach is dangerous to South Africa’s national interest. All these issues were discussed with the United States diplomats and there is disagreement on certain matters, but it is incumbent on government that just its economic interests cannot unduly influence government’s views. Deputy Minister Pahad contended that South Africa is respected for this.
Deputy Minister Pahad stated that he is not sure what exactly was said by the ANC’s Secretary-General in this regard, but he will be contacted to address this issue. One cannot equate statements by individuals with an accurate reflection of the policy of the ruling party.
Q) Minister Balfour is asked to explain whether honestly has confidence in Shaun Pollock’s leadership ability of the South African national cricket team.
A) Minister Balfour replied that he has every confidence in the captains of all South Africa’s sporting teams, and in this regard Shaun Pollock is no different from any other captain. Minister Balfour stated that he does not doubt Shaun Pollock’s leadership, and both Shaun and the rest of the team need our support.
Q) Whenever the South African national cricket team fails to perform, former captain Hansie Cronje’s name always pops up. This cannot be allowed to continue.
A) Minister Balfour responded that strong bonds are formed and developed between players when they are part of the same team, and most of the current members of the national cricket team still have these links with the late former captain. There is nothing wrong with this, but we cannot be encouraging a constant comparison between the leadership of Shaun Pollock and Hansie Cronje, as this is not the issue. South Africa should be able, as it is currently doing, to give its full support to Shaun and the team to ensure that they focus on winning the ICC World Cup.
Q) Does Minister Balfour still believe South Africa can win the ICC Cricket World Cup?
A) Minister Balfour replied that he never jokes about winning, even in his days as a player, and the aim of competing is to take out the opposition. As an eternal optimist, he believed that any South African sports team has what it takes to win, and the national cricket team is no different here. The team has had mishaps, but still stands a good chance of winning.
Q) Could Deputy Minister Pahad comment on Ms Winnie Madikizela-Mandela’s assertion that she will be going to Iraq to act as a human shield?
A) Deputy Minister Pahad responded that he has not been officially informed of her intentions in this regard, but stated that every citizen has the right to take the action they see as appropriate. He has not spoken to her yet.
Q) Minister Balfour is asked to explain whether any further action will be taken against Mr Percy Sonn after his behaviour at the Boland Park match between India and Holland on February 12.
A) Minister Balfour responded that this matter was handled by the United Cricket Board (UCB), and he is happy with the outcome. Mr Sonn did apologise to the nation and to the cricketing people of South Africa. As far as Minister Balfour is concerned, the matter is thus closed.
Q) The statements made by Deputy Minister Pahad regarding South Africa’s efforts to ensure peace introduced he region are noted, but what are government’s views on the human rights abuses being perpetrated in Zimbabwe? Has the South African government indicated to the Zimbabwean government that these abuses are unacceptable and, if so, does the South African government have the necessary muster here?
A) Deputy Minister Pahad replied that all the reports have been studied, and the task of the South African government is to interact with Zanu PF in an attempt to bring about a resolution to the conflict.
Q) The President has referred to efforts made to increase the security measures along South Africa’s borders. Could Minister Lekota provide the specifics here?
A) Minister Lekota replied that there seems to be an understanding that the SANDF is charged with the responsibility of arresting citizens from other jurisdictions who enter South Africa, but this is a misconception. Policing illegal immigrants is not the mandate of the SANDF but the SAPS, as the SANDF are "trained to kill the enemies of South Africa", not to arrest them. If South Africa is not being attacked there is no reason to pack the country’s borders with SANDF members. Minister Lekota stated that he would be happy if the SANDF was kept from interfering with the lives of South African citizens, because South Africa is not a military State but a Constitutional democracy. The President is correct in saying that the necessary capacity has to be ensured to deal with the situation at South Africa’s border more efficiently.
Q) Actions speak louder than words because the MDC did not attend the ANC conference, yet there was a Zanu PF member present. Could this be because the leaders do not trust the ANC as mediator?
A) Minister Lekota responded that the ANC merely invited its sister parties to the conference, and it did not even invite organisations and political parties with which it enjoys a good working relationship. The ANC did not purposefully exclude the MDC party. The Zanu PF members were invited as leaders of their country, and the ANC cannot be held responsible for such a decision. The ANC is committed to interacting across the spectrum to do what is necessary to find a solution to the problem.
All efforts have to be made to work together as a nation to address the problem, and there is too much "party-politicking" going on. The are too many spokespersons for the MDC, and it is preferable that the official party policy of the MDC be identified.
There were no further questions or comments and the briefing was adjourned.
Appendix 1: Department of Sport and Recreation
PARLIAMENTARY MEDIA BRIEFING BY MINISTER OF SPORT AND RECREATION, MR NGCONDE BALFOUR, Cape Town, 20 February 2003
2003 ICC Cricket World Cup President Thabo Mbeki opened the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup on Saturday, 8 February, with a glittering ceremony that was beamed across the world. The competition, the 8th of its kind, is the largest ever. A total of 14 teams from around the world are participating in 54 matches over a period of 46 days during which time the country will receive unprecedented international exposure. It is estimated that over the duration of the tournament, some 2 billion people will watch the games that will be played in South Africa, Kenya and Zimbabwe.
Government has been closely involved in the competition, providing logistic, security and financial support. Sport and Recreation South Africa (SRSA