President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed 11 Ministers and Deputy Ministers as members of the National Conventional Arms Control Committee to implement government policy for the control and regulation of trade of conventional arms.

The committee will serve a five-year term of office with Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni as chairperson and Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Andries Nel as the deputy chairperson.

Ramaphosa explained that the committee would be responsible for the protection of South Africa’s economic and national security interests by ensuring adequate control of trade in conventional arms, conforming to international law.

“The committee is also tasked with fostering national and international confidence in the control procedures and may conduct, inside or outside the Republic, any investigation into, inspection of and research in connection with any trade in conventional arms,” he said.

Ramaphosa has made these appointments in terms of Section 5(1) of the National Conventional Arms Control Act of 2002.

Members comprise Defence and Military Veterans Mininster Angie Motshekga; International Relations and Cooperation Mininster Ronald Lamola; Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Thembi Simelane; Police Minister Senzo Mchunu; Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Dr Blade Nzimande; Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau; Defence and Military Veterans Deputy Minister Bantu Holomisa; Finance Deputy Minister Dr David Masondo and International Relations and Cooperation Depty Minister Alvin Botes.