Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) is concerned about reports of a protracted go-slow strike action, that Transnet claims is illegal. This strike action has gone on for the past 13 days at Transnet’s Port of Ngqura, allegedly due to dissatisfaction about promotions in the service. The DA will write to Transnet to request an urgent update on developments at the Port of Ngqura, and how the entity plans to address this strike action. While we recognise the democratic right of workers … [Read more...] about Transnet must shed light on the protracted “Go Slow” at Port of Ngqura
Letters to the Editor
R2,3 billion in claims against police in the Eastern Cape
Dear MyPE The fact that R2,3 billion in current claims against the police in the Eastern Cape are pending is a shocking indictment of the state of policing in the province. In response to a parliamentary question, MEC for Safety and Liaison, Weziwe Tikana, said that claims paid out by the Eastern Cape SAPS in the 2018/19 financial year was in excess of R45-million. This is up by R6-million from the claims paid in 2017/18 financial year, and nearly R11-million more than what was paid out … [Read more...] about R2,3 billion in claims against police in the Eastern Cape
DA lays criminal charges regarding Great Fish River sewage crisis
Dear MyPE The inability of the Chris Hani District Municipality (CHDM) to curb the flow of raw sewage into the Great Fish River has now become a criminal matter. Today, 10 July 2019, I laid criminal charges against the Municipality and its Acting Municipal Manager, Dr Bhekisisa Mthembu, at the Cradock Police Station. See affidavit attached here. The charges relate to Section 151 (1) of the National Water Act 36 of 1998, following their continued intentional and wilful contamination and … [Read more...] about DA lays criminal charges regarding Great Fish River sewage crisis
Condolences to Nkonyeni family
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance in the Eastern Cape would like to extend its heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of legendary actress Nomhle Nkonyeni, who passed away earlier today. Nomhle (77), a child of New Brighton in Port Elizabeth, was well known for her role in the Eastern Cape film Tsha Tsha, shot in Peddie. She was a veteran in the acting world and entertained audiences in Africa and internationally for 5 decades. You will forever remain in our thoughts and … [Read more...] about Condolences to Nkonyeni family
Provincial roads in Middelburg a threat to residents
Dear MyPE The uncaring ANC-led Eastern Cape Department of Roads and Public Works lacks the administrative capacity and political will to maintain Middelburg’s provincial roads. The Department in the Chris Hani Region is the custodian of a section of the R56 from Loop Street, via Church and Jubilee Street, towards Midros entrance and the slipway between the station towards the N9. These provincial roads are in a dismal state while the Department is conveniently ignoring the pleas of the … [Read more...] about Provincial roads in Middelburg a threat to residents
Port of Ngqura go slow is destroying economy
Dear MyPE Urgent intervention is required to address the impasse at the Port of Ngqura, which is destroying jobs and severely impacting the Eastern Cape economy. Recent revelations have highlighted how illegal industrial action, in the form of a go-slow, have exposed the cracks caused by the continued mismanagement at the port through which trade is being jeopardised. Trucks have had to wait for up to 18 hours before being offloaded, and vessels attempting to collect shipments have been … [Read more...] about Port of Ngqura go slow is destroying economy
Parliament must answer urgent questions
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) has noted the resignation of ANC MP Zukisa Faku, former mayor of Buffalo City Metro, from Parliament earlier this week. The DA will today be writing to the Secretary of Parliament to determine what the exact circumstances are that surround Ms Faku’s election and subsequent resignation as Member of Parliament. Should it turn out that Ms Faku was never eligible for election, Parliament should conduct an urgent review to establish where and how their … [Read more...] about Parliament must answer urgent questions
Ernest Malgas Treatment Centre in need of better aftercare services and teachers
Dear MyPE The Eastern Cape Department of Social Development must, as a matter of urgency, assign more field social workers to children graduating from the Ernest Malgas Treatment Centre in Port Elizabeth. Yesterday, 8 July 2019, I conducted an oversight inspection at the Centre and found it to be a well-run, state-owned drug rehabilitation facility for children – the only one if its kind in the province. I was also joined by the DA’s Shadow MEC for Education, Yusuf Cassim MPL. The … [Read more...] about Ernest Malgas Treatment Centre in need of better aftercare services and teachers
Siyenza toilet scandal
Dear MyPE Today, 9 July 2019, at offices occupied by the South African Police Service in the Cambridge Goods Shed in East London, I added my affidavit to a completed criminal investigation into the R631 million Siyenza toilet scandal in the Amathole District Municipality (ADM). In doing so I was joined by Buffalo City Metro Councillors Vaughan Holmes and Dharmesh Dhaya. I had initially planned to lay criminal charges against a former ADM Municipal Manager, Mr Chris Magwanqana, who is … [Read more...] about Siyenza toilet scandal
DA to lay criminal charges
Dear MyPE On Tuesday, 9 July 2019, I will be laying criminal charges against those implicated in the Public Protector’s report regarding the Siyenza toilet scandal at the Fleet Street Police Station in East London. The DA welcomes the Public Protector’s report into the R631-million scandal in the Amathole District Municipality (ADM), which has found that there was improper conduct and maladministration in the awarding of the tender to Siyenza. The report has found that former ADM … [Read more...] about DA to lay criminal charges
Sewage continues to flow into Fish River
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance has reliably learnt that, less than a week after beginning work on the dysfunctional Craddock Waste Water Treatment Works, the contractor appointed by the Chris Hani District Municipality has downed tools. Last week, while at the site, I noted that a contractor was in the process of commencing with the much-needed work to bring the facility back online. Unfortunately, I have now been informed that the contractor has downed tools and vacated the site … [Read more...] about Sewage continues to flow into Fish River
Adapt or die ahead of the Fourth Industrial Revolution
Dear MyPE Today I tabled a motion in the Provincial Legislature dealing with the preparedness of the province for the Fourth Industrial Revolution that is sweeping through the world. The province needs to be fully prepared for the massive change that is already impacting on how we learn, how we communicate, how we work and how we govern. The period referred to as the Fourth Industrial Revolution entails the converging of digital, physical and biological technologies. This period is … [Read more...] about Adapt or die ahead of the Fourth Industrial Revolution
Cele’s attempt to curtail private security industry opposed
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) has opposed Police Minister Bheki Cele's draft amendment regulations in terms of the Private Security Industry Regulation Act. While the South African Police Service (SARS) is failing to keep up with the demands placed on it by increasing levels of crime and gross under resourcing, it is alarming that Minister Cele seeks to constrain an industry serving the safety of millions of citizens across all communities. The proposed draft regulations place an … [Read more...] about Cele’s attempt to curtail private security industry opposed
EC SOPA: You can’t build on a rotten foundation
Dear MyPE We cannot build the Eastern Cape on a rotten foundation of corruption, poor administration and lack of consequence management. If Premier Oscar Mabuyane wants to build on these foundations, he first needs to rip out the rot to prevent it from spreading further. Mabuyane’s vision, delivered today in his inaugural State of the Province Address, is ambitious and touched on the right areas but did not provide any new solutions. What is going to be done differently this … [Read more...] about EC SOPA: You can’t build on a rotten foundation
Rogue Sunday’s River Valley Municipality strikes again
Dear MyPE Less than a month after having violated Section 30 (2) of the Municipal Structures Act by purporting to have passed the municipal budget with far less than a majority of the vote, the rogue Sunday’s River Valley Municipality has struck again by appointing a permanent Chief Financial Officer in an irregular manner, violating sections of the Municipal Finance Management Act. Despite having written to the MEC of COGTA, Xolile Nqata, to intervene as a matter of urgency and … [Read more...] about Rogue Sunday’s River Valley Municipality strikes again
