President Ramaphosa appoints new committee members to enhance arms trade regulation and ensure national security for South Africa.
PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed 11 Ministers and Deputy Ministers as members of the National Conventional Arms Control Committee, which will serve a five-year term.
Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni will act as chairperson, while Andries Nel, Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, will serve as deputy chairperson.
These appointments are made in terms of Section 5(1) of the National Conventional Arms Control Act of 2002.
The mandate of the committee, as outlined in Section 4 of the Act, is to implement government policy regarding trade in conventional arms, establishing and ensuring a legitimate, effective, and transparent control process that conforms to international law.
‘’The committee is tasked with controlling and regulating trade in conventional arms and protecting South Africa’s economic and national security interests.’’
It also aims to foster national and international confidence in the control procedures, with the authority to conduct investigations and inspections related to arms trade both inside and outside the Republic, said the Presidency.
The newly appointed members of the National Conventional Arms Control Committee are:
Khumbudzo Ntshavheni – Minister in the Presidency (Chairperson)
Angie Motshekga – Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
Ronald Lamola – Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
Thembi Simelane – Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development
Senzo Mchunu – Minister of Police
Blade Nzimande – Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation
Parks Tau – Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition
Bantu Holomisa – Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
David Masondo – Deputy Minister of Finance
Alvin Botes – Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
Andries Nel – Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development (Deputy Chairperson)
President Ramaphosa has expressed his confidence in the committee’s abilities, stating, “I wish the Committee well in its deliberations and decisions”.
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