Dear MyPE Serious questions need to be asked about the Eastern Cape Government’s commitment to embracing digital transformation and the fourth industrial revolution. This became apparent following an audit of the respective departmental websites, to determine if they had made the latest annual reports (2019/20) available for download, following their tabling in the virtual sitting of the Legislature a week ago. As of this morning, Wednesday 9 December, of the 13 departments, only … [Read more...] about Failure to upload Annual Reports highlights digital delinquency in Province
Letters to the Editor
On Nqaba Bhanga’s “short lived tenure as Mayor”
CoGTA MEC does not have the power to declare election of NMB Mayor invalid, must go to court Dear MyPE The letter by the Eastern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) to the office of the Speaker regarding last week’s Nelson Mandela Bay council meeting, is devoid of any truth and in extreme bad faith. In it, MEC Xolile Nqatha states the election of an Acting Speaker and, therefore, the election of a Mayor at last week’s Nelson Mandela Bay special council … [Read more...] about On Nqaba Bhanga’s “short lived tenure as Mayor”
DNA backlog 117 000 and climbing – SAPS must approach private labs urgently
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) has written to National Police Commissioner, General Kehla Sitole, to request that he urgently investigates partnerships with private laboratories to tackle the backlog in DNA samples at the National Forensic Science Laboratories (NFSL) which now stands at 117 736. The DA in the sixth Parliament has been raising the alarm on challenges with DNA testing at the NFSL since 2019. I raised my concerns in the Portfolio Committee on Police repeatedly and … [Read more...] about DNA backlog 117 000 and climbing – SAPS must approach private labs urgently
Resignations plague Livingstone Hospital
Dear MyPE Senior management at Livingstone have described the staffing at Livingstone Hospital as a “leaking bucket” with nurses and administrative staff leaving in numbers. Reasons for the mass exodus are simple: Healthcare personnel at the hospital are physically, emotionally and mentally exhausted, and are fearful of losing their lives to the Covid-19 virus. The virus is seemingly more aggressive, with slightly higher mortality rates the second time around and hospital workers are … [Read more...] about Resignations plague Livingstone Hospital
Another pothole promise hole
Dear MyPE Nelson Mandela Bay’s road network is riddled with potholes and other road infrastructure maintenance problems. Across the Metro residents regularly have to dodge crumbling craters. To fix this decay requires dedicated teams, with the requisite experience, working around the clock using quality materials. Instead – the ANC Coalition of Corruption makes fanciful promises that they have no intention of keeping. The latest promise made by the MMC for Roads and Transport, Cllr Rosie … [Read more...] about Another pothole promise hole
NMB sabotages itself with fuel bungle
Dear MyPE Service delivery will grind to a halt in Nelson Mandela Bay due to the Municipality’s inability to timeously finalise its contract with a service provider to provide fuel to the municipal fleet. The contract with the previous service provider, Masana Petroleum Solutions, expired on 30 October 2018 and was, thereafter, extended on a monthly and six-monthly basis. The tender was advertised last year and after it was awarded, court action followed before the new service provider … [Read more...] about NMB sabotages itself with fuel bungle
President Ramaphosa must explain who dropped the ball on Covid-19 vaccine
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) calls on President Cyril Ramaphosa to use the opportunity of his impending address to the nation to explain who dropped the ball on the procurement of the Covid-19 vaccine. Reports today indicate that South Africa has missed the payment deadline for participation in the Covid-19 initiative that would have given the country access to the Covid-19 vaccine. It is unclear who has bundled the process between National Treasury and the Department of … [Read more...] about President Ramaphosa must explain who dropped the ball on Covid-19 vaccine
Call to research link between alcohol misuse and gender-based violence
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance welcomes the commitment from Eastern Cape Premier, Oscar Mabuyane, to research the relationship between alcohol use and gender-based violence. His commitment follows after the matter was raised by myself through a member’s statement during plenary in the Eastern Cape Legislature this afternoon [Wednesday, 2 December 2020], where I asked why research is not being done by the province into the relationship between liquor and violent crime, of which … [Read more...] about Call to research link between alcohol misuse and gender-based violence
Hotspots: Liquor and restaurant restrictions will only inflict further harm on South Africa’s economy
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) has taken note that the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) is considering curbing the sale of alcohol from Monday to Thursday in so-called “hotspots” as well as recommending that hospitality establishments such as restaurants and bars should stop serving food and alcohol by 9pm. These two recommendations will be devastating to our economy as well as thousands of restaurants across South Africa that have only begun to get back on their feet … [Read more...] about Hotspots: Liquor and restaurant restrictions will only inflict further harm on South Africa’s economy
Matric Exam Leaks – More Questions Than Answers
Dear MyPE While the Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomes the arrest of a suspect in connection to the leaked Matric Physics and Mathematics examination papers, there are still questions that we urgently need clarity on to ensure the credibility of what is left of the exams and to ensure that it does not happen again. The following points need clarifying: When can we expect a full report? How many papers were leaked? Did the Department distribute the replacement papers for learners … [Read more...] about Matric Exam Leaks – More Questions Than Answers
Process of establishing new EC ward boundaries fatally flawed
Dear MyPE Critical public engagements over the changing of ward boundaries in the Eastern Cape, known as delimitation, have not taken place, which means the submissions made by the Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB) are fatally flawed and bring the entire process into question. While the Covid-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on the ability of institutions such as the MDB to carry out the usual face to face public participation processes, alternative forms of public engagement are … [Read more...] about Process of establishing new EC ward boundaries fatally flawed
We will not take instructions from a prisoner
Dear MyPE Criminally convicted former ANC councillor Andile Lungisa’s statements on petitioning the Acting Mayor, Cllr Thsonono Buyeye, and Speaker, Cllr Buyelwa Mafaya, to postpone all council meetings until February 2021 is just another example of the ANC and its connected cadres’ desperation to hold on to power and loot the coffers of Nelson Mandela Bay. The DA will not be instructed on when municipal meetings should be held by a convicted criminal and prisoner. Lungisa is not behind … [Read more...] about We will not take instructions from a prisoner
EC HIV AIDs programmes devastated by Covid-19 pandemic
Dear MyPE As the world commemorates HIV AIDS Awareness Day, it is perhaps fitting to look at the overwhelming impact that the Covid-19 pandemic has had on the lives of those living with HIV AIDS, and the programmes meant to make a difference in the fight against this silent killer. Sadly the Covid-19 pandemic, which has devastated communities and upset economies across the globe, has impacted very severely on our province, our health department and our people. As a result, programmes … [Read more...] about EC HIV AIDs programmes devastated by Covid-19 pandemic
Department of Education wastes R1,7million on out of date app
Dear MyPE The Eastern Cape Department of Education has wasted R1,7million on an application, named Sikuncede Njani, that is outdated and therefore serves no real purpose. In response to a parliamentary question from the DA, MEC of Education, Fundile Gade, said the app is currently up to date with relevant information that can be utilised by the public and officials of the Department. This is not true. After phoning no less than 30 numbers of schools and officials, as listed on the app, … [Read more...] about Department of Education wastes R1,7million on out of date app
Shark Rock Pier Selfie Frame
Dear MyPE Regarding the new Shark Rock Pier Selfie Frame (The Herald 30 November 2020, Page 2), I am advocating for another one to be earmarked for somewhere near the Redhouse Yacht Club. That one would be perfect for the next 20 years or so, long over-due Woolhope Memorial Bridge that would fly over the Swartkops River as a road network connecting Motherwell township and the M19 & Chelsea Roads upon entering or leaving the Perseverance industrial area. Regards Luyanda Marlon … [Read more...] about Shark Rock Pier Selfie Frame
