The President of the Republic submitted the following letter to the Speaker informing Parliament of the employment of the South African National Defence Force:
EMPLOYMENT OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL DEFENCE FORCE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATIONS OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA TOWARDS THE UNITED NATIONS ORGANISATION
This serves to inform the National Assembly that I authorised the employment of South African National Defence Force (SANDF) personnel in order to fulfill the international obligations of the Republic of South Africa towards the UN in The Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo as part of disarmament, demobilization, re-integration, repatriation and the resettlement programme of the UN.
This employment was authorised in accordance with the provisions of Section 82(4)(b)(ii) read with Section 227(l)(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(l) 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)(iv) of the Defence Act, 1957 (Act No 44 of 1957).
A total of 1 268 personnel, will be deployed for a period of one year, making a provision for a rotation after every six months, as follows:
(a) 950 X Infantry Battalion Group
(b) 100 X Support Element
(c) 175 X Engineer Company
(d) 15 X Ferry Unit
(e) 12 X Water Well Drilling Unit
(f) 16 X Military Police
The expected costs for the deployment of personnel to the mission area as from January 2003 to end of financial year 2005/2006 are as follows:
2003/2004 Personnel Allowances: R171,552
Initial Non-Inventory: R169,511
Logistic Support: R128,083
TOTAL COST R469,146 LESS 2003/2004 ALLOCATION R-28,731
To be Supplemented R440,415
2004/2005 Personnel Allowances: R171,552
Logistic Support: R178,936
TOTAL R350,488 The total estimated reimbursement from the UN for Initial Non-Inventory Equipment, for Personnel Allowance and for Logistical Support will amount to R200 million.
The National Treasury advised that the shortfall should be addressed through the normal budgetary process.
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.