17
April 2008 - Media Statement - RESPONSE
BY THE SOUTH AFRICAN MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL
AFFAIRS AND TOURISM, MARTHINUS VAN SCHALKWYK,
IN RESPONSE TO MEDIA ENQUIRIES ABOUT ANNOUNCEMENTS
MADE BY PRESIDENT BUSH ON 16 APRIL 2008
THURSDAY, 17 APRIL 2008:
The statement by President Bush, made to
coincide with the meeting of Environment
Ministers from the Major Economies in Paris,
does not live up to what the United States
committed itself to in Bali just a few months
ago. What is particularly disappointing
is that the proposal is much weaker than
many of the Bills currently before the US
Congress.
It seems as if the current
US Administration wants to turn back the
clock to where we were before the breakthrough
achieved in Bali in December 2007 when all
countries, including the United States,
agreed to a Bali Roadmap that outlines the
negotiation process and building blocks
for a strengthened climate agreement. The
decision in Bali is clear on the respective
responsibilities of developed and developing
countries.
The UN Framework Agreement,
of which the US is a signatory, is also
clear: there is one category for developed
countries, which include the United States,
and another for developing countries, each
with its own responsibilities.
There is no way whatsoever
that we can agree to what the US is proposing,
which means that the fundamental distinction
between developed and developing countries
should be erased and that we should turn
a blind eye to historical responsibility
for the problem. In effect, the US wants
developing countries that already face huge
poverty and development challenges to pay
for what the US and other highly industrialized
countries have caused over the past 150
years. We are willing to do our fair share
to address the climate challenge, but not
to carry a part of the US's burden.
On this issue, the current
US Administration is isolated. It is them
against the overwhelming majority of the
world, developed and developing countries
alike.
We expect from the US
to provide real leadership and take real
action. We expect them to commit to ambitious,
internationally-binding emission reduction
targets. A binding national target for the
US would be a first step, but by far not
enough. It should be an internationally
agreed, ambitious and binding target. This
kind of leadership by the United States
will send a credible signal to the rest
of the world, including to us in the developing
world where we stand ready to do more.
These signals from the
US on Wednesday do not meet the required-by-science
criteria. It does not come close to what
the international community expects from
them.
Riaan Aucamp (Minister's Spokesperson)
+ More
Statement by the Office of the Deputy Minister
of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Ms
Rejoice Mabudafhasi Regarding the Notice
for Intended Legal Proceedings Against her
by Mr Wessels’ Lawyers
23 April 2008 - Media
Statement - Department of Environmental
Affairs and Tourism - WEDNESDAY, 23 APRIL
2008: The Mokoena family who dwell in a
wildlife estate in Hoedspruit, through the
assistance of the Maruleng Local Municipality,
requested Deputy Minister Mabudafhasi to
intervene to resolve their conflict with
Mr Johannes Wessels who owns this estate.
At the centre of this conflict is Mr Wessels'
refusal for the Mokoena family to bury their
late father, Mr Finios Mokoena (who has
died about a month ago) in his property.
A few days after her intervention, the Deputy
Minister was served with a notice for intended
legal proceedings against her for defamation
of character by Mr Wessels’ lawyers.
We received the notice
for intended legal proceedings against Deputy
Minister Mabudafhasi from Mr Wessels’ lawyers
with shock and disappointment. We are extremely
disappointed and shocked because we were
expecting Mr Wessels’ legal team to give
us a response on our genuine request that
the burial of the deceased old man from
the Mokoena family be allowed to take place
without further delays. In fact, Mr Wessels’
legal representative, Mr Adriaan Vorster
had undertaken to do so at our meeting on
Friday last week.
Following the Deputy
Minister’s instructions, we had started
negotiations with Mr Wessels’ legal representative
in good faith in order to address this very
unfortunate situation. This was part of
a process intended to resolve on-going disputes
and conflicts between Mr Wessels and the
Mokoena family. It is the Deputy Minister’s
view that this approach was most appropriate
and in the best interest of nation building,
reconciliation, social cohesion and moral
regeneration.
As one of the stalwarts
and veterans of the liberation struggle
in South Africa, the Deputy Minister nearly
lost her life and endured severe hardships
at the hands of ruthless apartheid agents
whilst she was defending the rights of the
poor and vulnerable.
Given this background
and the contribution she has made for the
attainment of democracy in this country,
she has ever since and forever been the
first person to defend the rights of vulnerable
communities and poor people.
In this instance, the
Deputy Minister very rightfully condemned
what remains a terrible situation. She did
this purely on moral, ethical and humanitarian
grounds. She also condemned racism in all
its forms and formations whilst encouraging
the conflicting parties to respect each
other’s constitutional rights to equality,
dignity and respect. This was in direct
reaction to the complaints she has received
from the Mokoena family and other stakeholders
who have been subjected to unbearable circumstances
in their forefathers land.
The irony of this intended
lawsuit to the tune of R1000 000 is that
it creates an impression that this is the
price we must pay for making an appeal that
the deceased should be laid to rest in peace
as speedily as possible. It may further
cultivate a perception that there are very
rich people out there whose aim is to accumulate
wealth without remorse.
This can only deepen
and worsen the trauma of an already bereaving,
poverty-stricken and helpless Mokoena family
whose members and friends are reeling with
shock. Whenever a perception that there
could be a price tag of this nature and
magnitude is created, the government’s task
of reconciliation could become insurmountable.
The Deputy Minister’s
legal team is currently analysing the notice
for intended legal proceedings with a view
to reply in due course. In the mean time,
the Deputy Minister is still very committed
to finding a speedy resolution regarding
the burial of the deceased. She has henceforth
instructed her office to continue with mediation
efforts that would bring this matter to
an urgent and amicable conclusion.
Beyond the urgent conclusion
of this burial matter, the ultimate goal
of the Deputy Minister’s intervention is
to reconcile the conflicting parties in
an effort to demonstrate that it is always
possible to unite people from diverse cultural
and racial backgrounds through consultation
and negotiations. The Deputy Minister is
totally against actions that may further
entrench racial, ethnical and cultural discrimination
amongst our communities and the South Africa
society at large.
As one of the leaders
within the national democratic movement
and a member of the National Executive Committee
of the ANC, Deputy Minister Mabudafhasi
is duty-bound and committed to the creation
and promotion of a caring society with a
sound moral fibre and a firm social fabric.
She will continue to carry this mandate
without fear or favour.
Livhuwani Matsila (Head of the Deputy Minister’s
Office)
