Nqakula to head SA team in DRC

2006-07-18 14:03

Pretoria - Safety and Security Minister Charles Nqakula will head South Africa's observer mission at the Democratic Republic of the Congo elections on July 30, says foreign affairs deputy minister Aziz Pahad.

He said: "We don't expect that Minister Nqakula will be based permanently in the DRC and he could come and go as the situations demands."

The remaining members of the 128-strong mission would join an advance team already in the DRC on Wednesday.

SA would also be part of a 200-member Southern African Development Community (SADC)observer mission. Pahad said the people of the DRC were "greedily" awaiting election day.

He had visited the country with other SADC ministers to assess its preparations for its first election in more than 40 years.

He said: "Credible, peaceful and democratic elections in the DRC are possible."

However, there was a need, even with only a few days remaining, for more voter education and more information on the electoral process.

Pahad said: "We have made a call on all the parties that the elections should be free and fair and the losers should accept the outcome of the elections.

"We are confident that these elections are on track and despite the many challenges, sufficient preparations have been made to ensure elections take place."

- SAPA