Report on SANDF Deployment in Lesotho: adoption

JOINT COMMITTEE ON DEFENCE
3 November 2006
REPORT ON SANDF DEPLOYMENT IN LESOTHO: ADOPTION

Chairpersons: Ms. M Matsemela (ANC) [Acting]
                         Mr. L Mokoema (ANC)

Documents handed out
Letter from Deputy President on deployment of SANDF in Lesotho

SUMMARY
The committee adopted the letter from the Deputy president and then acknowledged that the report being drawn up on said letter agreed with the deployment of troops in order to transport SADC heads of state to the SADC Summit being held in Lesotho. The report on the letter will be signed and made available in due course.

MINUTES
Mr. L Moekoema (ANC) stated that the Committees had to deal with one issue only: the deployment of South African National defence Force (SANDF) troops to Lesotho, and the adoption of a letter from the Deputy President outlining the situation. Before troops could be deployed it was necessary for Parliament to first give its approval. He stated that both himself and the Acting Chairperson, Ms. M Matsemela (ANC), considered it both important and appropriate to deploy troops in Lesotho.

The Committee secretary, Mr. J Ramrock, was called on to read out the letter. It essentially expressed the need to deploy troops to Lesotho in order to provide transport for SADC Heads of State to Lesotho, for the duration of the SADC Summit.

The Co-Chairperson opened the floor to discussion on the matter.

Discussion
Mr A Moseki (ANC) [North West] agreed that the letter should be adopted and asked if this information has been communicated to the National Assembly as well.

Mr J Schippers (ANC) seconded Mr. Moseki.

Mr J Phungula (ANC) wanted to know exactly who was being transported, and to which location.

The Co-Chairperson repeated the contents of the letter to Mr. Phungula in Zulu.

Committee Report on SANDF deployment
The Committee Secretary read out the report, which condoned the actions called for in the letter. He stated that the Committee Report was in agreement with the letter.

The Acting Chairperson noted that the Committee’s business had been concluded, and the Co-Chairperson adjourned the meeting.