Dear MyPE The Eastern Cape needs clear action steps, not empty promises, from premier Oscar Mabuyane during his inaugural State of the Province Address tomorrow. The Democratic Alliance believes that what the Eastern Cape needs is strong leadership, an unrelenting consequence management system that will hold those responsible of wrongdoing to account, and an honest commitment to serve the people of this province. Key areas of concern are the collapsing local government structures, with … [Read more...] about NO empty promises needed to turn Eastern Cape around
Letters to the Editor
Failure to spend capital budget by end of week will cost NMB millions
Dear MyPE The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM) is on the verge of forfeiting in excess of R420-million back to National Treasury, because they have been unable to spend the money, despite empty political promises to do so. What makes this dismal state of affairs even worse, is that the funds being forfeited is money that is desperately needed for projects that would have improved the lives of Nelson Mandela Bay residents. I have today written to Premier Mabuyane to request his … [Read more...] about Failure to spend capital budget by end of week will cost NMB millions
Eastern Cape failing youth battling with substance abuse
Dear MyPE The Eastern Cape government is failing to assist the thousands of youth across the province who are battling with substance abuse. As the world marks the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, serious concerns have to be raised around what the provincial government is doing to help youth who are battling to overcome drug addiction. It is common cause that societal factors play a critical role in substance abuse, and with the Eastern Cape having the … [Read more...] about Eastern Cape failing youth battling with substance abuse
Legal action over sewage in Fish River welcomed
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance welcomes the announcement yesterday that the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) will be taking legal action to force the Inxuba Yethemba Local Municipality and Chris Hani District Municipality to stop polluting the Great Fish River. The announcement follows after the Democratic Alliance earlier this month revealed that raw, untreated sewage is flowing directly into the Great Fish River near Cradock, placing the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands … [Read more...] about Legal action over sewage in Fish River welcomed
Transport woes depriving patients of medical care and medication
Dear MyPE The situation at the Butterworth Hospital, where many sick and elderly patients wait for a full day, and in some cases even spending the night, for medical attention is testament to the fact that free health care in the Eastern Cape is a myth. I recently conducted an oversight inspection at the hospital and found that many of the patients spend the night in the Outpatients Department (OPD) are not waiting to be attended to at the Butterworth Hospital. Instead, they are waiting … [Read more...] about Transport woes depriving patients of medical care and medication
Commission for Gender Equality to assess investigation regarding sex-for-jobs and sex-for-houses in EC
Dear MyPE The fight against the scourge of sex-for-jobs and sex-for-houses has gained new momentum after the Commission for Gender Equality agreed to assess claims of these practices taking place in the Eastern Cape. On 13 June 2019 I was joined by DA Eastern Cape Provincial Leader, Nqaba Bhanga MPL, in meeting with a delegation from the Commission in East London. (See invitation attached here) In April 2019 the DA Women’s Network (DAWN) in the Eastern Cape wrote to the Commission to … [Read more...] about Commission for Gender Equality to assess investigation regarding sex-for-jobs and sex-for-houses in EC
Holding the President to account for Bosasa dealings, including possible money laundering
Dear myPE Today’s headline in the Business Day, “DA denies raising laundering issue”, is misleading and seeks to distort the truth as it pertains to the Public Protector’s investigation into the President Ramaphosa’s relationship with Bosasa (now African Global Operations). At no stage has the DA distanced itself from this investigation or the contents thereof. Rather, we have been explicitly clear in our call for the matter to be finalised, and for Parliament to establish an Ad Hoc … [Read more...] about Holding the President to account for Bosasa dealings, including possible money laundering
ANC violates Constitution by trying to push through Sundays River Valley Municipality budget
Dear MyPE The ANC in the Sundays River Valley Local Municipality (SRVLM) has violated the Constitution and Section 30(2) of the Municipal Structures Act, while trying to push a summary budget through council. This was done without any supporting documentation and the necessary votes to pass it in council. Last week, the SRVLM published that the 2019/2020 Budget had been adopted by council, despite only securing seven votes of the nine needed. In doing so, the municipality is in clear … [Read more...] about ANC violates Constitution by trying to push through Sundays River Valley Municipality budget
Government must answer for inaction regarding polluted Fish River
Dear MyPE The inaction of the Department of Water Affairs and Sanitation, as well as the Chris Hani District Municipality in remedying the constant flow of raw sewage into the Great Fish River has now reached crisis proportions. It has been more than a week since I wrote to the Green Scorpions to intervene and investigate the flow of untreated wastewater into the Great Fish River. This is caused by the total shutdown of the wastewater treatment plant near Cradock in the Inxuba Yethemba … [Read more...] about Government must answer for inaction regarding polluted Fish River
NMB residents will suffer due to uncosted and disingenuous budget process
Dear MyPE The majority of residents in Nelson Mandela Bay will find themselves in the financial doldrums after the R12 billion 2019/20 budget for the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro was passed. This uncosted and disingenuous budget will have a massively negative financial impact on the residents of the Metro. The budget has not been properly costed or honestly presented for public and business consideration. Recent and now successful appeals to councillors to simply pass the budget for the … [Read more...] about NMB residents will suffer due to uncosted and disingenuous budget process
SADTU can no longer hold the youth to ransom
Dear MyPE The celebration of South Africa’s Youth Month rings hollow whilst a lack of quality education and job opportunities has led to the country having the highest youth unemployment rate (52.8%) in the world. One of the biggest obstacles learners face is the South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU). The union has been holding the toothless Department of Basic Education and the future of our youth to ransom for many years. Today, 18 June 2019, I was joined by DA EC … [Read more...] about SADTU can no longer hold the youth to ransom
Algoa Bay ADZ: Delay in public participation
Dear MyPE The second round of public participation (application phase) has been delayed due to the large volumes of comments received during the pre-application phase. We are currently compiling the Draft Basic Assessment Report by incorporating the input from stakeholders received during the pre-application phase. We anticipate that the application-phase public participation round will commence in the first week of July 2019. Please note that the next phase of the public participation … [Read more...] about Algoa Bay ADZ: Delay in public participation
Green Scorpions called to intervene in Fish River sewage debacle
Dear MyPE Raw untreated sewage is flowing directly into the Great Fish River near Cradock, placing the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of people at risk. This is an environmental and economic catastrophe that poses a significant health risk to individuals. Tuesday, 11 June 2019, I conducted an oversight inspection at the Inxuba Yethemba Local Municipality’s wastewater treatment plant in Cradock and was shocked to find it completely shut down. Sewage continues to flow into the … [Read more...] about Green Scorpions called to intervene in Fish River sewage debacle
Frail Care Centres and Old Age Homes Struggling to get Payment
Dear MyPE The South African National NGO Coalition ( SANGOCO) held a meeting last week on the latest regarding the Non Payment of the Frail Care Centres and Old Age Homes and we note with concern the continued non payment of the frail care centres by the Eastern Cape Department of Social Development. The Frail Care Centres have been promised that the payment will be made and they have not been paid after almost three months now. This problem has been a crisis since 2016 and the former … [Read more...] about Frail Care Centres and Old Age Homes Struggling to get Payment
SACP shocked by the disrespect shown by the NMB ANC Task Team
Dear MyPE The SACP (Mbuyiselo Ngwenda District) condemns the pollical meddling by the Regional Task team of the ANC in the affairs of the Municipality. In an article carried out by the Herald Newspaper, both Nceba Faku and Babalwa Lobishe allege that they will reshuffle the Mayoral Committee. We view this political gimmick as an attempt to get access to the resources of the Municipality and nothing else. In the past we have pleaded with this task team to focus on its primary mandate, which … [Read more...] about SACP shocked by the disrespect shown by the NMB ANC Task Team
