Zuma to discuss regional trade issues in Lesotho

07 June 2016 - 14:01 By Genevieve Quintal

President Jacob Zuma will visit Lesotho this week for discussions relating to the Southern African Customs Union (SACU). Zuma is the chair of the SACU Summit‚ which is an African regional economic organisation whose member states are Botswana‚ Lesotho‚ Namibia‚ South Africa and Swaziland.The Presidency on Tuesday said the consultations to be held in Lesotho were a follow-up to discussions held by SACU heads of state and government at the inauguration of the new headquarters building in Windhoek in November last year.“The discussions will also focus on progress in the implementation of the SACU work programme as adopted by the 2011 SACU Summit‚” spokesperson Bongani Ngqulunga said.“The deliberations will also consider regional‚ continental and global economic and trade developments and their impact on SACU.”SACU‚ at 105 years old‚ is one of the oldest customs unions in the world.On his visit to Lesotho‚ Zuma will be accompanied by International Relations Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane‚ Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies and Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan.In April this year‚ Zuma travelled to Botswana‚ Namibia and Swaziland for similar consultations on SACU.According to SACU’s website‚ the economic structure linked member states by a single tariff and no customs duties between them.It has been a busy year for Zuma who has travelled to around 14 countries since January.Questions have been raised concerning the presidential jet‚ which has reportedly had some technical difficulties.While in Qatar last month‚ the presidential plane‚ Inkwazi‚ broke down which resulted in an alternative aircraft having to be sourced to enable Zuma to return home.Shortly after that there were reports that the president refused to fly because he allegedly feared he was being sabotaged.However‚ the Presidency denied this saying the reports were misleading.“The Presidency requested that a reliable aircraft be made available on 23 May 2016 in order to avoid another inconvenience too soon after Qatar‚” it said at the time.In March this year‚ Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula confirmed that her department would acquire a new presidential jet‚ but denied that there was a preferred option or that an amount of R4-billion. – TMG Digital/BDlive..

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