Letter received from the President dated 12 July 2005 informing the National Assembly of the employment of the South African Defence Force:

This serves to inform the National Assembly that I authorised the employment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) personnel to Cote D’Ivoire for service in fulfillment of the International obligations of the Republic of South Africa towards Cote D’Ivoire, in the provision of assistance in the implementation of the Pretoria Agreement, with specific emphasis on the Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration process.

The 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 46 members of the SANDF will be deployed for the mission as from 08 July 2005 to 31 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 R 26 090 724.

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