Cabinet approves defence commission report

Cabinet has approved the tabling of the report of the Interim National Defence Force Service Commission, it was announced in Pretoria on Thursday.

Defence Minister Lindiwe Sisulu was expected to reveal more details later in the day.

Government spokesman Vusi Mona told a media briefing the decision was taken at Wednesday's regular Cabinet meeting.

Cabinet had also approved extending the revised non-statutory forces pension dispensation to cover all former non-statutory forces members who entered into employment contracts with government departments and institutions that contribute to the government employees pension fund.

Mona said Cabinet also approved the white paper on South Africa's foreign policy for submission to parliament and that the white paper should reflect South Africa's interests as it related to the country's role in global geo politics.

Cabinet further approved the draft National Health Amendment Bill, which would be released for public comment.

The bill proposed establishing an Office of Health Standards Compliance (OHSC) which would be tasked with ensuring that all hospitals -- private and state-owned -- complied with minimum standards.

Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi told the press conference any hospital that did not comply with the standards set by the OHSC would not be accepted as a part of the proposed National Health Insurance system.

An ombudsman would also be established to, among other things, give members of the public an opportunity to have their complaints investigated.