The Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Mr Amos Masondo, has received correspondence from the Presidency requesting deferment of his appearance before the Council, which was scheduled for this afternoon, to reply to oral questions. 
 
 The letter noted that the Section 89 Independent Panel process has been unprecedented in the life of South Africa's constitutional democracy and that the recommendations of the Panel and their implications for the stability of the country required that the President take the time to carefully consider the contents of the report and the next course of action to be taken. 
 
 The Chairperson has acceded to the request. A new date will be determined in due course by the Council's programme committee.