i. To ensure the provision of reliable and consistent support required for the President and Deputy President.

ii. To provide a concise operational guide to relevant government departmental staff with clearly indicated responsibilities and duties, and by implication, lines of accountability.

iii. To provide the authority for the relevant civil servants to make decisions and to empower departmental staff with respect to what is approved, permissible and what may fall outside of the level of support required to be given to the President and Deputy President.

Whereas previously, the guide for support for the President and Deputy President was a 2007 Cabinet Policy, the drafting and publication of the Presidential Handbook makes public the document which will henceforth guide decision-making by public servants.

The Handbook is available on The Presidency website: http://www.thepresidency.gov.za/pebble.asp?relid=21135

Enquiries:

Ms Phumla Williams, Acting Cabinet Spokesperson

Cell: 083 501 0139

SOURCE: SOUTH AFRICAN OFFICAL NEWS