Pretoria: President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed a new National Conventional Arms Control Committee (NCACC) to oversee South Africa’s arms trade, in line with international standards. The committee, chaired by Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, includes 11 Ministers and Deputy Ministers, who will serve a five-year term, with Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Andries Nel, as the Deputy Chairperson.
According to South African Government News Agency, the appointments were made in terms of Section 5(1) of the National Conventional Arms Control Act of 2002. The mandate of the NCACC, as defined by Section 4 of the Act, is to implement government policy regarding trade in conventional arms to establish, apply, and ensure a legitimate, effective, and transparent control process that conforms to international law, and the guiding principles and criteria set out in the same law.
‘The committee is responsible for the control and regulation of trade in conventional arms, and the
protection of South Africa’s economic and national security interests by ensuring adequate control of trade in conventional arms,’ the Presidency said. The NCACC is also tasked with fostering national and international confidence in South Africa’s arms control procedures.
The committee may conduct investigations, inspections, and research related to conventional arms trade within or outside the country as needed. President Ramaphosa has assigned these responsibilities to the newly appointed National Conventional Arms Control Committee, which comprises several key ministers and deputy ministers.
President Ramaphosa has extended his best wishes to the committee in fulfilling their mandate and contributing to South Africa’s commitment to responsible arms control.