Dear MyPE Eastern Cape expanded unemployment figures could soar close to 60% if the current Covid-19 level three lockdown measures are kept in place. Government policies are driving the people of the Eastern Cape into abject poverty, by taking away people’s rights to earn a living. A capable state would actively balance the need to save lives against the need to save livelihoods. Eastern Cape Premier, Oscar Mabuyane, needs to urgently engage with the national coronavirus command … [Read more...] about Eastern Cape unemployment shock on the cards if drastic action not taken
Letters to the Editor
The Tourism Equity Fund will do little to grow the sector and jobs
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) does not believe that the Tourism Equity Fund will meet its intended targets of boosting South Africa’s tattered tourism industry through improving the participation of black entrepreneurs in the sector. While it is important that there are continued efforts to strengthen the participation of emerging entrepreneurs, it cannot happen at the expense of the tourism industry as a whole. Especially not at a time when the industry is on its knees. The … [Read more...] about The Tourism Equity Fund will do little to grow the sector and jobs
Transnet National Ports Authority relocating their headquarters to Nelson Mandela Bay
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance in the Eastern Cape welcomes the relocation of Transnet National Ports Authority to Nelson Mandela Bay. This is a much-needed boost for Nelson Mandela Bay and the Eastern Cape as a whole. We trust now that the head office will be based in Nelson Mandela Bay, more emphasis will be placed on the relocation of the Manganese Ore Facility from the PE harbour to Port of Ngqura. The manganese facility is a proven health hazard to Nelson Mandela Bay … [Read more...] about Transnet National Ports Authority relocating their headquarters to Nelson Mandela Bay
Remove CSA Board Chairperson, Zak Yacoob following verbal attack on journalist
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) calls for the removal of Zak Yacoob as Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) acting Board Chairperson following the release of a recording in which he can be heard verbally attacking a TimesLive journalist. We condemn the former Judge’s disgraceful and aggressive attitude towards the journalist as it is unbecoming for someone in his position. In a telephone call with the reporter regarding the suspension of CSA acting CEO, Kugandrie Govender, Yacoob can be … [Read more...] about Remove CSA Board Chairperson, Zak Yacoob following verbal attack on journalist
EC Government has still not acted against PPE corruption
Dear MyPE Nearly 10 months after the first allegations of fraud, corruption and collusion in the procurement of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, not a single company that acted as a supplier to the Eastern Cape government has been blacklisted. Despite Premier Oscar Mabuyane’s firm commitment that his government will take a hard line against Covid-19 corruption, he has been unable to charge a single person criminally or prevent delinquent service … [Read more...] about EC Government has still not acted against PPE corruption
R350 Unemployment grant must be extended by reprioritising spending away from vanity projects
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) calls for the extension of the payment of the special Covid-19 social relief of distress (SRD) grant of R350 under the adjusted level 3 lockdown. The grant is set to expire at the end of this month. Millions of South Africans are reliant on the grant to meet their most basic of needs and face starvation without this monthly stipend. With a stricter Covid-19 lockdown and the economy deteriorating at an alarming rate, these vulnerable people are … [Read more...] about R350 Unemployment grant must be extended by reprioritising spending away from vanity projects
BBBEE Has no place in vaccine rollout
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) is appalled at President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent remarks that there would be “opportunities for BEE” in the distribution and rollout of life saving Covid-19 vaccines. What the President has shown, is that he would rather pander to the hardliners, rent-seekers and the politically connected in his party than put the wellbeing of South Africans, at the centre of life and death decisions regarding vaccine rollouts. That someone like Ramaphosa could … [Read more...] about BBBEE Has no place in vaccine rollout
The time is up for tabling vaccine plan
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance’s (DA) lawyers wrote to the Presidency seven days ago making the case that President Cyril Ramaphosa has a constitutional obligation – as does his entire Executive – to be transparent about the vaccine acquisition and distribution plan. We committed to approaching the courts for relief should this not be done within seven days. Time is now officially up. Should the President and his team not publicly table a detailed, costed and practical vaccine acquisition … [Read more...] about The time is up for tabling vaccine plan
Non-extension of Ters: UIF must account to Parliament
Dear MyPE Reports that the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) has decided not to extend the Temporary Employer-Employee Relief (Ters) scheme will come as a severe blow to cash-strapped workers in sectors of the economy hobbled by the adjusted level 3 lockdown. This is especially true for the tourism, hospitality and liquor industries. The UIF’s about-turn on the extension, after weeks of seemingly positive talks at Nedlac, is apparently informed by a report compiled by the Fund’s … [Read more...] about Non-extension of Ters: UIF must account to Parliament
18 Times government misled us about Eskom and rolling blackouts
Dear MyPE It has been 15 years since Eskom’s rolling blackouts brought inconvenience and economic decline to South Africa. And, 15 years of repeated empty promises by an incapable ANC government vowing to fix this crisis. Today, the Democratic Alliance (DA) will expose the 18 times the government misled South Africans on its efforts to turn things around at Eskom and to bring an end to rolling blackouts. November 2007- Eskom says Medupi and Kusile will be completed by 2015 and will … [Read more...] about 18 Times government misled us about Eskom and rolling blackouts
Maybe, Hoping and Praying…
Dear MyPE I hear the historic Grand Hotel is sadly closing. How about handing this building over to our Metro artists, if possible, before it might get stripped & vandalised as well? We desperately need a place of our own, in central, in a hub & buzz of activities - where more people, visitors, art collectors & collectors, will get to know & to support us. This plight was shared with me by one our local artists, Ricardo Swanepoel: "We need a central place for artists in PE. … [Read more...] about Maybe, Hoping and Praying…
Urgent clarity sought from SASSA on lack of funding for disability grants
Dear MyPE The South African Social Security Agency’s (SASSA) recent admission that it does not have enough money to reinstate and extend the temporary disability grants that lapsed at the end of December is a massive cause for concern. According to SASSA’s executive manager responsible for grants administration, Dianne Dunkerley, the Agency only has R411 million of the R1.2 billion needed to extend the grant payments. SASSA’s problem to continue to extend disability grant payments is one … [Read more...] about Urgent clarity sought from SASSA on lack of funding for disability grants
RIP Jackson Mthembu
Dear MyPE I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of ANC stalwart and my former parliamentary colleague, adversary and friend, Jackson Mthembu. The news of his death this afternoon comes as a great shock, and I can only imagine the devastating impact this must have on those who were close to him. On behalf of the DA, I would like to extend our sincere condolences to his family, his friends and his party. You have lost a generous man with a big heart and an even bigger sense of … [Read more...] about RIP Jackson Mthembu
Provincial intervention in Amathole DM long overdue
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance in the Eastern Cape welcomes the decision of the Eastern Cape Provincial Government’s Executive Council to finally implement Section 139 (5)(a) of the Constitution, to address the challenges in the Amathole District Municipality (ADM). This step is long overdue, as the warning lights have been flashing for quite some time. The recovery plan put in place must ensure the municipality is able to meet its obligations to provide basic services and its … [Read more...] about Provincial intervention in Amathole DM long overdue
Minister Motsoaledi must intervene in queue chaos outside Home Affairs offices
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) calls on the Minister of Home Affairs, Aaron Motsoaledi, to implement urgent queue management measures outside of Home Affairs offices to keep citizens safe. Despite scenes of citizens huddled in long queues outside of Home Affairs offices across South Africa, with no social distancing measures in place, no apparent action has been taken. Instead the ANC government sends battalions to the beaches to arrest surfers. Although Home Affairs have … [Read more...] about Minister Motsoaledi must intervene in queue chaos outside Home Affairs offices
