The Speaker

The President of the Republic submitted the following letter dated 27
January 2005 to the Speaker of the National Assembly informing Members
of the National Assembly of the employment of the South African National
Defence Force in the Democratic Republic of Congo:

EMPLOYMENT OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL DEFENCE
FORCE IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO,
FOR SERVICE IN FULFILMENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL
OBLIGATIONS OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA TOWARDS
THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

This serves to inform the National Assembly that I authorised the
employment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF)
personnel to the Democratic Republic of Congo, for service in fulfilment of
the international obligations of the Republic of South Africa towards the
Democratic Republic of Congo in the provision of support in the
integration and training of the new restructured forces.

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 40 members are employed as from mid-January 2005 for a period
of 12 months.

The total estimated cost to be borne by South Africa for the deployment of
personnel is R 25 600 036.

I will communicate this report to the Members of the National Council of
Provinces 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 Assembly.

Regards

SIGNED

T M MBEKI
PRESIDENT