Pretoria - South Africa says it supports the destruction of cluster munitions stocks in compliance with the Convention of Cluster Munitions.
This emerged as the Cabinet approved that the Convention of Cluster Munitions be sent to Parliament for ratification.
Acting Cabinet spokesperson Phumla Williams says South Africa, which was among the 94 countries that signed the cluster in Olso, Norway in 2008, is on track to destroy the cluster munitions.
“All plans are in place to ensure that the stock piles are completely destroyed within the eight year period,” said Williams on Thursday.
Williams said the ratification of the convention is in line with South Africa’s commitments to upholding human rights and humanitarian law when engaging in warfare.
The treaty’s main aim is to prohibit the manufacture and use of cluster munitions and exhorts the nations of the world to destroy, within eight years of the entering into force of the convention, all cluster bombs in the possession of the signing countries and that such munitions must not be used or distributed in any way until they have been destroyed.
The treaty, which is known as the Orslo Process, also prescribes assistance to cluster bomb victims, including their families and communities, by providing medical care, rehabilitation, and by giving psychological and financial support.
It further calls for international support and assistance, by asking all countries that are able to do so to help those states that are affected by cluster munitions with the clearance of such bombs, risk education for nationals, victim assistance and stockpile destruction.
South Africa has in the past maintained that it has a small number of cluster munitions that are outdated and due for destruction and does not use cluster munitions, nor does it manufacture or sell such products.
Cabinet supports SA soldiers in DRC
Meanwhile, with regards to the South African soldiers in the Democratic Republic of Congo, as part of the United Nation mission, Cabinet threw its support for them.
“South Africans are called upon to support and give recognition to these soldiers who are instrumental is realising South Africa’s commitment to peace, stability and the strengthening of democracy in the African continent,” said Williams.
She would not however give an update on the three injured soldiers. The soldiers were wounded during a crossfire between Congolese troops and M23 rebels.
South Africa has deployed 1345 members of the SANDF for service in the DRC.
The move was to help South Africa fulfil its international obligations towards the United Nations.
The members are participating in the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) as part of the Force Intervention Brigade (FIB), flowing from the mandate as reflected in the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2098. - SAnews.gov.za
