Question NW3068 to the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies
08 January 2024 - NW3068
Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies
(1)On what date(s) did the National Conventional Arms Control Committee (NCACC) hold its scheduled meetings in the (a) 2021, (b) 2022 and (c) 2023 calendar years to consider applications for all the (i) import and (ii) export permit applications as defined by the National Conventional Arms Control Act, Act 41 of 2002; (2) whether the NCACC has considered the instability that prevailed between Russia and Ukraine in both 2021 and 2022; if not, why not; if so, (3) whether the NCACC has considered any applications for imports and exports to and from Belarus, which has provided its territory to Russia since its first attacks on Ukraine, actively supported and participated in the Russian invasion of Ukraine and now houses the Russian Wagner private military group; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1.
1.1 The NCACC Meetings are scheduled to take place on the last Thursday of each month from February to November in each year. Dates of scheduled NCACC meetings for 2021, 2022 and 2023 are as follows:
1.2 The 2021 meetings though scheduled as per ussual, were held virtually due to the protocols that were under COVID 19 Controls as prescribed under the State of Disaster as proclaimed at the time.
A. 2021
|
FEB |
MAR |
APR |
MAY |
JUN |
JUL |
AUG |
SEPT |
OCT |
NOV |
|
25 |
25 |
29 |
27 |
24 |
29 |
26 |
30 |
28 |
25 |
B. 2022
|
FEB |
MAR |
APR |
MAY |
JUN |
JUL |
AUG |
SEPT |
OCT |
NOV |
|
24 |
31 |
28 |
26 |
30 |
28 |
25 |
29 |
27 |
24 |
C. 2023
|
FEB |
MAR |
APR |
MAY |
JUN |
JUL |
AUG |
SEPT |
OCT |
NOV |
|
23 |
30 |
27 |
25 |
29 |
27 |
31 |
28 |
26 |
30 |
2.
2.1 The NCACC applies the provisions of s15 of the NCACC Act (as amended) to evaluate and approve application(s), presented for such consideration. The NCACC has not considered and approved any applications to export to Russia and/or the Ukraine. Unless there were any such transfers, in contradiction to s15 of the Act, the contradiction of s15 of the Act would have been a conterpoint of consideration. However, given that none were considered, s15 has been applied without fail.
2.2 Importation of equipment from Russia and/or the Ukraine would not have come into contention, since the importation of controlled items seeks not/does not contribute destabilization of the Region. But, contributes to South Africa’s defensive needs.
3.
3.1 The NCACC is provided with intelligence reports on a systematized frequency and this subscribes to the manner of the criteria contained in various estimates. The reports also target the type of equipment for assessment in terms of whether such transfers are in line with both our domestic and international obligations. Key to this assessment is the United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCR) that include arms embargo.
3.2 At no stage of assessment could the aspect of Belarus and/or the Wagner Group constitute an identified risk to consider at the time. Further, the applications that were destined for such a country would have come under scrutiny, given the applicable criteria of the NCACC Act.
3.3 Thus the question does not arise, other than it being postulate.
Thank you.