
RDC: Rassemblement communique du 20.10.2016



The Secretary-General takes note of the conclusion of the national dialogue in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). He commends Edem Kodjo, the African Union Facilitator for the dialogue, as well as participants to the talks for their work and commitment towards a peaceful solution to the crisis in the context of the electoral process.
The Secretary-General hopes that the implementation of the agreement will contribute to a more conducive climate for the respect of fundamental rights and freedoms essential to political debate and credible elections. He urges the Government to remain actively engaged with all political stakeholders, including through continued confidence-building measures. These include in particular the further release of political prisoners and respect for the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression. He also calls on political groups who were not part of the national dialogue to seek to resolve their differences peacefully.
The Secretary-General reiterates the crucial importance of peaceful and credible elections for the stabilization and consolidation of constitutional democracy in the DRC, in keeping with the Constitution and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance.
Déclaration attribuable au porte-parole du Secrétaire général sur la République démocratique du Congo
Le Secrétaire général prend note de la conclusion du dialogue national en République démocratique du Congo (RDC). Il félicite Edem Kodjo, le facilitateur de l’Union africaine pour le dialogue, ainsi que les participants aux pourparlers pour leur travail et leur engagement envers une solution pacifique à la crise dans le contexte du processus électoral.
Le Secrétaire général espère que la mise en œuvre de l’accord contribuera à un climat plus propice au respect des libertés et droits fondamentaux essentiels au débat politique et à des élections crédibles. Il exhorte le gouvernement à rester activement engagé avec tous les acteurs politiques, notamment en continuant d’adopter des mesures de confiance. Celles-ci comprennent en particulier de nouvelles libérations de prisonniers politiques et le respect du droit de réunion pacifique et de la liberté d’expression. Il appelle également les groupes politiques qui ne faisaient pas partie du dialogue national à s’employer à résoudre leurs différends de manière pacifique.
Le Secrétaire général réaffirme l’importance cruciale d’élections apaisées et crédibles pour la stabilisation et la consolidation de la démocratie constitutionnelle en RDC, conformément à la Constitution et à la Charte africaine de la Démocratie, des Elections et de la Gouvernance.
New York, le 19 octobre 2016




JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, October 19, 2016 – Yesterday afternoon, van Der Merwe Associates (“VDMA”) notified the Minister of Finance’s attorneys of their client’s (the Oakbay Group of companies) (www.OakbayInvestments.co.za) intention to oppose the application issued under case number 80978/16 on 14 October 2016 – unless the Minister of Finance withdraws the application and tenders costs by this afternoon – Wednesday 19 October.
VDMA’s letter noted that the Minister of Finance’s affidavit implicated its clients in inappropriate and unlawful conduct. The affidavit also insinuated that VDMA’s clients would “expose the fiscus not only to loss of tax revenue but also put the burden of mining rehabilitation on the fiscus.” which VDMA noted was “uncalled for, malicious and nothing but vexatious.”
VDMA’s client disproved this earlier this week with evidence of the transfer of the Optimum Rehabilitation Trust Fund from Standard Bank to Bank of Baroda, which followed a request by Advocate Thuli Madonsela on 4 October 2016.
VDMA advised its client to oppose the Minister of Finance’s application, obtain all the necessary information from the relevant role players and ask for punitive costs order against dismissal of the application.
VDMA’s letter also stated that the Minister of Finance’s letter has been launched with the financial resources of the tax payer. VDMA’s client does not dispute that Minister of Finance’s is not by law compelled or obliged to intervene in the relationship between VDMA’s clients and the commercial banks. However, VDMA noted that to spend tax payers’ money in “a reckless and inappropriate manner” would constitute a contravention of the provisions of the Public Management Act, No.1 of 1999 – which would warrant “further action against those officials responsible for same.”
Furthermore, VDMA noted that:
“In order that we do not expose the fiscus unnecessarily to costs we propose that the application be withdrawn” – that the Minister of Finance’s application is withdrawn and that the Minister of Finance’s tenders VDMA’s client’s costs, before close of business on 19 October 2016.
VDMA reiterated that the purpose of its letter was to offer the Minister of Finance the opportunity to save taxpayers money.
VDMA also noted that its clients “would like” to put their formal version before court since the Minister of Finance has chosen that forum, so if the application is not withdrawn then “the matter must proceed and we will gladly do the necessary in order to restore the misrepresentation created by the papers.”
VDMA concluded its letter by noting that the Minister of Finance had made “defamatory and untrue remarks towards members of the Gupta Family by insinuating that they have been involved in inappropriate conduct” and that “their rights remain strictly reserved.”
This morning, attorneys for the Minister of Finance declined the offer to withdraw the application and tender COSTs.



JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, October 18, 2016 – Gupta Family lawyer, Van Der Merwe Associates, releases a statement on behalf of Mr. Ajay Gupta and Oakbay Investments (www.OakbayInvestments.co.za) in response to the affidavit from Pravin Gordhan.
Highlights include:
To reiterate, we are delighted to have received this application. The truth always comes out in the end and we look forward to clearing our name in court.



