The Speaker
The President of the Republic submitted the following letter dated 8 April 2004 to the Speaker of the National Assembly informing Members of the National Assembly of the employment of the South African National Defence Force:

EMPLOYMENT OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL DEFENCE FORCE IN COMPLIANCE OF THE INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATIONS OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA TOWARDS THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF MADAGASCAR FOR HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE

This serves to inform the National Assembly that I authorised the employment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) personnel in fulfilment of the international obligations of the Republic of South Africa towards the government of the Republic of Madagascar, for humanitarian assistance, in the provision of air transport for emergency relief to cyclone affected areas.

This employment was authorised in accordance with the provisions of Section 201(2)(c) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (Act No 108 of 1996), read with section 93 of the Defence Act, 2002 (Act No 42 of 2002).

A total of 65 members were employed, consisting of command and control elements, communications personnel, an interpreter, a media liaison, medical personnel, aircrew members, ground crew members and a protection element. The duration of the mission is 14 days.

The main equipment for the execution of the task will consist of:
(a) four Oryx helicopters;
(b) one fixed wing light aircraft;
(c) one Falcon 50 aircraft;
(d) one C-130 Hercules aircraft; and
(e) three chartered IL-76 transport aircraft.

The total estimated cost for the personnel and equipment is R12 713 651,94. The Department of Provincial and Local Government will bear the costs.

I will also communicate this report to the Members of the National Council of Provinces as well as to the Joint Standing Committee on Defence, and wish to request that you bring the contents of this report to the notice of the National Assembly.

Regards

T M MBEKI