The President of the Republic submitted the following letter dated 4 December 2003 to the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces informing Members of the National Council of Provinces of the employment of the South African National Defence Force:

EMPLOYMENT OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL DEFENCE FORCE IN HAITI IN FULFILLMENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATIONS OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA TOWARDS THE UNITED NATIONS

This serves to inform the National Council of Provinces that on the 4th day of December Two Thousand and Three, I authorised the employment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) personnel to assist the Government of Haiti in celebrating two hundred years of its independence and victory in the struggle against slavery in the Americas.

This employment was authorised in accordance with the provisions of Section 82(4)(b)(ii) 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 with Section 201(2)(c) of the said Constitution of 1996, in assisting the Government of Haiti in fulfillment of the international obligations of the Republic of South Africa towards the United Nations, in terms of Section 227(1)(b) and (c) of the Constitution of 1993, (which section is also still in force by virtue of the aforementioned Item 24) and Section 18(1) read together with Sections 11, 52 and 53 of the Defence Act, 2002 (Act No 42 of 2002).

A total of 139 personnel will be employed comprised as follows:
120 Navy Members;
9 SAAF Members;
7 SAMHS Members; and
3 CJ Ops
The equipment to be provided by SANDF is as follows:
1 Combat Support Ship (SAS Drakensberg);
1 Harbour Patrol Boat; and
1 Oryx Helicopter.

The expected costs for the deployment of personnel on the operation is R2 059 714,83 at the expense of the Department of Foreign Affairs. The duration will be approximately 53 days.
I will also communicate this report to the Members of the National Assembly, and wish to request that you bring the contents of this report to the notice of the National Council of Provinces.

Regards

SIGNED
M E TSHABALALA-MSIMANG
ACTING PRESIDENT