Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor The Democratic Alliance (DA) is deeply concerned by the response from Community Safety MEC Xolile Nqatha regarding the number of arrests and convictions concerning gang-related murders in the Northern Areas. In response to an oral question in the Legislature yesterday, the MEC said that 181 arrests were made in connection with 142 cases between January 2019 and August 2024, resulting in only 62 convictions. While this may seem like progress, it pales in comparison to the 985 … [Read more...] about Mec’s Response Shows Alarming Failure To Address Gang-Related Murders In Northern Areas

Dear Editor The Democratic Alliance (DA) calls for the Public Protector to investigate the delayed construction of the Sarah Baartman Centre of Remembrance in Hankey in the Eastern Cape, which has been mired in mismanagement and inefficiency for over a decade. Despite more than R200 million being spent and three contractors assigned to the project, the centre remains incomplete. Disputes with contractors and shoddy workmanship have stalled progress, and it is vital that those responsible … [Read more...] about Public Protector Must Investigate Delayed Construction of Sarah Baartman Centre

Dear Editor The Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomes the commencement of the Department of Transport’s work on MR00391, the Humansdorp-Hankey Road, marking a significant R218 million investment in the Kouga Local Municipality. Yesterday, DA Kouga constituency leader Dr Vicky Knoetze MPL and I visited the site where work officially began. This project is crucial for improving transport infrastructure in the Eastern Cape and represents an essential step forward in cooperation between local … [Read more...] about Progress on Kouga Road Rehabilitation Project Welcomed

Editor: I recall similar incidents of theft from this facility around 30 years ago - at the time the security were stumped until someone discovered that the thieves were emerging from underground. Apparently they were using the huge pipes that used to transport water along Harrower Road from the North End Lake to the Power Station at the bottom of Mount Road. At the time the municipality welded the drain covers shut and the thefts stopped. Could it be the same MO today?   Dear Editor The … [Read more...] about Urgent Intervention Needed in NMB Cable Theft Crisis

Dear Editor The Democratic Alliance (DA) is deeply concerned by recent reports of corruption, tender manipulation, and political interference at Amatola Water. The forensic report detailing secret meetings between Amatola Water's leadership, the Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, David Mahlobo, and a politically connected businessperson threatens to destabilise water security in the Eastern Cape further. These revelations underscore the DA’s long-standing concerns regarding Amatola … [Read more...] about Amatola Water Corruption Threatens Eastern Cape Water Security

Dear Editor The R75 between Gqeberha and Uitenhage/Kariega has claimed yet another two victims in two unrelated accidents over the weekend. The latest fatalities follow days after the DA has yet again warned SANRAL that their failure to maintain this road is putting lives at risk. Since January this year there has been various correspondence as well as media reports on SANRAL’s continued failure to maintain this dangerous stretch of road. SANRAL has previously cited various excuses as to … [Read more...] about NMB Killer Road Claims Another Two Victims

Dear Editor Despite the 50th celebration of the Volkswagen GOLF, there is surprisingly still not a single model thereof that is in honour & homage of the original designer of that car's very first generation, namely: Giorgetto Giugiaro. It seems that the stereotypical German bigotry is at play, since the said Giugiaro is Italian and the Scirocco is the closest model name that has come close to an Italian moniker attached to a VW model; or any non-Germanic named VW model for that … [Read more...] about VW Golf 50th Anniversary

Dear Editor Hillary Rodham-Clinton, incidentally the first and greatest Woman President that the United States of America [USA] never had, put it simply what a statesman is: " The statesman thinks about the next generation, whilst the politician thinks about the next elections". It is therefore a great guideline for everyone that is still blinded by the motives of politicians, whom are primarily Clout, Fame & Relevance seekers; if not and/or outright Money, Status & Relevance … [Read more...] about The Greatest Woman President that the USA…

Dear Editor The Makana Municipality is once again faced with spiralling debt of tens of millions of rands to ESKOM and officials cannot raise sufficient income to settle this electricity account and pay salaries. Despite her best efforts, the Chief Financial Officer has been unable to generate sufficient income to settle ESKOM debt and pay salaries. This is due to a shockingly low 52% collection rate of municipal rates and taxes. The low collection rates resulted in ESKOM not being paid … [Read more...] about Makana Finances Run Dry

Dear Editor The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Police will hold the Minister of Police accountable for commitments made during a recent community imbizo regarding spiralling violent crime in Nelson Mandela Bay. This feedback was contained in a reply by the Chairperson of the Police Portfolio Committee, Ian Cameron MP, to a letter I addressed to him requesting a committee oversight inspection to Nelson Mandela Bay, and specifically the gang-ridden Northern Areas. During his recent … [Read more...] about Portfolio Committee will hold Police Minister to account for NMB crime commitments

Dear Editor The recent mass killing of four people in the Northern Areas of Gqeberha has yet again highlighted that immediate intervention is needed and not talk shops and empty promises by the Minister of Police or the MEC for Community Safety. During his recent community engagement in the Metro the Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, promised to deploy more boots on the ground and crime fighting experts to Nelson Mandela Bay. However, grand crime fighting commitments have been made in the … [Read more...] about Police Portfolio Committee Chairperson Requested To Conduct Oversight In Crime-Ridden

Editor: I have a dream - to see the island of St Croix covered in penguins again! Dear Editor The DA welcomes the decision by Dr. Dion George, DA Minister, to pursue an out-of-court settlement regarding the closure of areas surrounding African Penguin colonies to fishing. This initiative is crucial for ensuring penguins have sufficient food near their breeding grounds, a factor biologists have identified as vital for their conservation. By reducing competition between penguins and … [Read more...] about Minister Dr. Dion George’s action to protect endangered African Penguins