Statement on the virtual Cabinet Meeting of 7 July 2022

A. Issues in the Environment

1. Update on the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)

1.1. Cabinet commended all people in South Africa who chose to vaccinate and observe all COVID-19 protocols that resulted in the country averting rising numbers of new cases during the fifth wave of the pandemic.

1.2. However, we must not be complacent as COVID-19 is still in our midst. Although the country recently scrapped the compulsory wearing of masks in public, people with comorbidities and those who are ill are encouraged to continue wearing a mask. We must also continue to wash or sanitise our hands and observe social distancing and proper ventilation.

1.3. Vaccination remains the scientifically proven defence against COVID-19 and Cabinet encourages all unvaccinated people to vaccinate without delay and vaccinated people to get their booster shots at their nearest vaccination sites, for free.

2. Monkeypox

2.1. Cabinet was updated on the latest developments in the spread of Monkeypox disease in the country following the recent confirmation of a second case in the country. The affected persons are isolating at home and contact tracing is being conducted to detect others who may have been exposed.

2.2. The Department of Health and the National Institute for Communicable Diseases are collaborating with the World Health Organisation to assess the risk for local transmission in line with the International Health Regulations.

2.3. The monkeypox virus is not easily spread and usually only occurs after close contact such as kissing, cuddling or touching parts of the body with monkeypox lesions. People without monkeypox symptoms cannot spread the virus to others.

2.4. Cabinet advised people who experience symptoms of fever, general flu-like signs, followed by a blister-like rash to report to their nearest healthcare facility for early detection and treatment.

3. East London tavern tragedy

3.1. The devastating tragedy at the Enyobeni Tavern in East London in the Eastern Cape on Sunday, 26 June 2022 that claimed the lives of 21 teenagers, has shattered our entire country. It is hard to imagine the anguish of families who lost their children in such a tragic manner.

3.2. Cabinet expressed its condolences to the families who lost their loved ones and thanked everyone for their humanitarian support to the grieving families during this difficult time.

3.3. It is concerning that children as young as 13 were allowed to enter the venue and consume alcohol. We call on communities to play their part in keeping our children safe at all times.

3.4. Children under the age of 18 are not allowed to enter taverns, shebeens, pubs and bottle stores. Liquor traders who are found to be contravening any of these laws must be criminally charged and have their operating licences revoked.

4. Outcomes from the Group of Seven (G7) Leaders’ Summit

4.1. President Cyril Ramaphosa participated in the G7 Leaders’ Summit which took place in Bavaria, Germany on Monday, 27 June 2022. The President – who participated in working sessions where climate, energy, health, global food security and gender equality issues were discussed – was invited by the host, Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

4.2. The G7 is an intergovernmental political forum consisting of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States.

B. Cabinet Decisions

1. Draft Legal Sector Code (Draft LSC)

1.1. Cabinet approved the publication of the Draft LSC for public comment. The objectives of these codes are to facilitate the transformation of the legal sector to achieve representation as per the country’s demographics. The code will also ensure the development of the body that will produce well-trained and competent providers of legal services.

1.2. The development of the Draft LSC was overseen by the Legal Practice Council, a statutory body established in terms of Section 4 of the Legal Practice Act, 2014 (Act 28 of 2014) and guided by the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act (B-BBEE), 2013 (Act 46 of 2013).

1.3. The B-BBEE Act of 2013 provides for the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition to issue codes of good practice on black economic empowerment in the specific sectors. Members of the legal profession currently do not have a sector code to guide them in addressing the imbalances and inequalities in the legal profession.

1.4. The Draft LSC will be published in the Government Gazette for 60 days to allow for public comments.

2. Biannual performance progress reports

2.1. Cabinet approved the biannual performance progress reports for the period covering October 2021 to March 2022. The reports form part of the Medium-Term Strategic Framework (MTSF) 2019-2024. The MTSF 2019-2024 is the implementation plan and monitoring framework for achieving the National Development Plan: Vision 2030 priorities for the sixth administration of government.

2.2. The reports focused on the seven priorities of government, namely (1) Economic transformation and job creation; (2) Education, skills and health; (3) Consolidating the social wage through reliable and quality basic services; (4) Spatial integration, human settlements and local government; (5) Social cohesion and safe communities; (6) A capable, ethical and developmental state; and (7) A better Africa and world, and related interventions of the sixth administration.

2.3. Cabinet welcomed areas of progress on the determined targets for the period under review. Cabinet also noted areas that required interventions so as to address delays which were negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

2.4. Ministers will hold media briefings in the coming weeks to unpack their respective reports and elaborate on areas where performance needs to be strengthened.

C. Upcoming Event

1. Black Industrialist and Exporters Conference (BIEC)

1.1. An inaugural BIEC will be held at the Sandton International Convention Centre in Johannesburg on Wednesday, 20 July 2022.

1.2. The conference follows the launch earlier this year of the Black Industrialists Export Network by government, which supports black industrialists to break into new markets, and access export finance and marketing avenues.

D. Message

1.  Congratulations

Cabinet extended its congratulations and well-wishes to:

the Springboks, for a thrilling last-minute victory over Wales during the first of three test matches at the Loftus Versveld Stadium in Pretoria on Saturday, 2 July 2022.

Banyana, for their 2-1 victory in their opening Women’s Africa Cup of Nations match against Nigeria, hosted by Morocco, on Monday, 4 July 2022.

E. Appointments

All appointments are subject to the verification of qualifications and the relevant clearance.

1. Dr Nyameko Barney Pityana as the Chairperson of the National Lotteries Commission.

2. Adv Rory Voller as the Commissioner for the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission.

Enquiries:

Ms Phumla Williams – Cabinet Spokesperson
Mobile: 083 501 0139

Issued by Government Communication and Information System (GCIS)

11 July 2022