The President of the Republic submitted the following letter dated 20 September 2005 to the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces informing Members of the Council of the employment of the South African National Defence Force in 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 (DRC), in accordance with the Tripartite RSA/DRC/Kingdom of the Netherlands Agreement regarding provision of support in the integration of armed forces of the DRC.

This employment was authorised in accordance with the provisions of section 201(2)(a) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (Act No 108 of 1996), read with sections 52, 53 and 93 of the Defence Act, 2002 (Act No 42 of 2002).

A total of (70) members will be employed from mid September 2005 for a period of six months.

The total estimated cost to be borne by South Africa for the deployment of personnel, from the current allocation for Peace Support Operations, is R 28 626 692.

I will communicate this report to the National Assembly and to 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

PRESIDENT