The Acting President of the Republic submitted the following letter dated 10 January 2005 to the Acting Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces informing Members of the Council of the employment of the South African National Defence Force in Sudan:

EMPLOYMENT OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL DEFENCE FORCE IN SUDAN IN FULFILLMENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATIONS OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA TOWARDS THE AFRICAN UNION

This serves to inform the National Council of Provinces that I authorised the employment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) personnel to Sudan for service in fulfillment of the international obligations of the Republic of South Africa towards the African Union, as part of the enhanced African Mission in the Sudan.

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 329 members of the SANDF will be deployed for the mission as from mid-January 2005 to March 2006.

The total estimated cost to be borne by South Africa for the deployment of personnel to the mission until 31 March 2006 will be R76 570 247.

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

J Z ZUMA
ACTING PRESIDENT