The President of the Republic submitted the following letter dated 26 November 2004 to the Acting Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces informing Members of the Council of the employment of a member of the South African National Defence Force:

EMPLOYMENT OF A MEMBER OF THE THE SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL DEFENCE FORCE IN FULFILLMENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATIONS OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA TOWARDS THE GOVERNMENT OF MOZAMBIQUE

This serves to inform the National Council of Provinces that I authorised the employment of a member of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to the Republic of Mozambique as part of the Southern African Development Community Electoral Observer Mission in fulfillment of the obligations of the Republic of South Africa towards Mozambique during the forthcoming elections in Mozambique.

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).

One person will be employed from 24 November 2004 to 4 December 2004.

The total cost of the deployment is R 17 233, 00 will be funded from the Department of Defence's current allocation for the Joint Operations Division.

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

Regards

SIGNED
T M MBEKI