Thank you very much, Deputy Speaker. The position of the South African government on this matter has been that the current divide between Fatah and Hamas does indeed present an impediment to political negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians in that any final political solution, we believe, to the conflict has to have the support of the major political formations in Palestine, including Hamas.
Whilst the Palestinian National Authority President Mahmoud Abbas can negotiate with Israel, as he is the president of the PLO, the current divide between the Fatah-controlled West Bank and the Hamas- controlled Gaza make any final, negotiated solutions to the conflict very difficult to implement. In response to the second part of the question, the South African Representative Office in Ramallah continues to engage with the PNA, PLO and Fatah as well as Hamas in the course of diplomatic practice, in an effort to promote national unity in Palestine. Our government encourages both formations to form a national unity government until new elections can be held in Palestine.
South Africa also continues to encourage the unity of the Palestinian people through and within international forums such as the UN Security Council and the Non-Aligned Movement. Thank you.
Questions regarding management and administration of Marievale, as well as occupation of houses there
3. Mr P J Groenewald (FF Plus) asked the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans:
(1) Whether the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) is responsible for the management and administration of Marievale; if not, who is responsible for it; if so,
(2) whether residents are allowed to stay on in the houses; if so, for how long; if not, why not;
(3) whether alternative housing will be provided; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (4) whether she has been informed about the safety concerns and illegal occupation of some of the houses; if so, what steps are being taken in this regard;
(5) whether the SANDF provides daily transport to its members from Marievale; if not, why not; if so, (a) to which bases and (b) what do the monthly costs amount to? NO827E