The President of the Republic submitted the following letter dated 27 January 2005 to the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces 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 FULFILLMENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATIONS OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA TOWARDS THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

This serves to inform the National Council of Provinces that I authorised the employment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) personnel to the Democratic Republic of Congo, for service in fulfillment 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 R25 600 036.

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
PRESIDENT