The President of the Republic submitted the following letter, dated 4 January 2002, to the Speaker of the National Assembly informing Parliament of the employment of the South African National Defence Force:

Dear Madam Speaker,

EMPLOYMENT OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL DEFENCE FORCE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATIONS OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA TOWARDS THE ORGANISATION OF AFRICAN UNITY

This serves to inform the National Assembly that I authorised the employment of South African National Defence Force (SANDF) personnel to fulfil the international obligations of the Republic of South Africa towards the OAU Mission in the Federal Islamic Republic of Comoros (FIRC).

This employment was authorised in accordance with the provisions of Section 82(4)(b)(ii) read with Section 227(1)(b) and (c) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1993 (Act No. 200 of 1993), [which Sections continue to be in force in terms of item 24(1) of Schedule 6 to the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (Act No. 108 of 1996)], read further with Section 3(2)(a)(v) of the Defence Act, 1957 (Act No. 44 of 1957).

A total of 4 personnel has been deployed to the Federal Islamic Republic of the Comoros (FIRC) to act as military observers as part of the OAU Military Observer Mission to the Comoros to oversee the operation of arms collection on the island of Anjouan.

The deployment is made up of:

(a) 1X Colonel - Small arms expert to lead the mission
(b) 1X Major - Small arms expert
(c) 1X Warrant Officer - Secretary
(d) 1X Warrant Officer - Small arms expert

The SANDF members have been deployed for a total of 21 days with the possibility that members may be required to deploy for a maximum period of up to six months to cover possible extension of the mission.

The expected costs for the deployment of personnel for 21 days up to a maximum of 180 days (6 months) to the mission area are as follows:

(a) Deployment of 4 personnel for 21 days (accommodation in tents) R34 740,30
(b) Deployment of 4 personnel for 21 days (accommodation in hotel R30 064,86
(c) Deployment of 4 personnel for 180 days (accommodation in tents) R222 059,69
(d) Deployment of 4 personnel for 21 days (accommodation in tents) R181 984,49
(e) Transport and accommodation for mobilisation (two members to mobilise from Cape Town - costs already included in the above totals) R10 000,00

The total cost may thus amount to a total of between R30 064,86 and R222 059,69.

The Department of Defence is responsible for the costs of this deployment.

I will also communicate this report to the Members of the National Council of Provinces, and wish to request that you bring the contents of this report to the notice of the National Assembly.

Regards

TM MBEKI