Dear MyPE As much as I also had a bitter taste in my mouth regarding car dealerships, the Hyundai North End Service in Port Elizabeth to be specific, I am pleased that Verkrampte Witmense (VW) aka White Supremacists and their Ilk viz. Black Educational Snobs (BES) are fighting with each other repeatedly (Sunday Times, 29 November 2020; Page 5). In my case, I won a Hyundai i10 from a Dischem & Cadbury / Mondelez competition of 2015, which had brand new parts replaced with old ones on more … [Read more...] about Porsche & Former MP Skirmish
Letters to the Editor
Swift arrest of a suspect in brutal killing of EC mother and her children welcomed
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance Women’s Network (DAWN) in the Eastern Cape welcomes the swift arrest of a suspect in the brutal, violent killing of a mother and five of her children, including a six month old baby, in their home at Dabekweni Locality in Kwaaiman, near Mqanduli, in the Eastern Cape. DAWN EC condemns the senseless killings of women and children in our country. These acts of violence are unacceptable and can no longer be overlooked by the uncaring ANC government. We call … [Read more...] about Swift arrest of a suspect in brutal killing of EC mother and her children welcomed
Municipal reserve scores big while tourism businesses suffer
Dear MyPE A nature reserve run by the Mhlontlo Local Municipality, which has no board and is unable to provide any financials, has been provided R19 million in Tourism Relief funding, while thousands of tourism SMMEs across the province, in dire need, have not received a cent. This was revealed in a Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEDEAT) report tabled in the Eastern Cape Legislature last week. Even more concerning, is that this was done despite … [Read more...] about Municipal reserve scores big while tourism businesses suffer
Eastern Cape Govt dealt a R3,476 billion blow to budget
Dear MyPE The Eastern Cape Provincial Government was dealt a R3,476 billion blow during the Provincial Adjustments Budget tabled in the Eastern Cape Legislature today, which was cut from the province’s equitable share for compensation of employees from national government. MEC of Finance, Mulungisi Mvoko announced that the huge cut in employee funding had been offset, in part, by dipping into the Province’s financial reserves to the tune of R2 billion. This is a case of the province … [Read more...] about Eastern Cape Govt dealt a R3,476 billion blow to budget
Humansdorp Field Hospital still not operational
Dear MyPE Despite the Covid-19 pandemic currently ripping through the communities of Kouga Local Municipality, the newly built Covid-19 facility at the Humansdorp Hospital remains closed. Serious questions need to be asked about how this facility could possibly have cost R3,506 million of taxpayers money when the unit is not even brick and mortar, but pre-fabricated panels. In a capable state, this substandard construction would not pass muster as a standard ward, let alone a Covid-19 … [Read more...] about Humansdorp Field Hospital still not operational
South Africa’s media characterised as “enemies”
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) has noted comments from some quarters characterising South Africa’s media as “enemies.” Such language is dangerous and could result in further physical violence against members of the media as we have already witnessed in our country by supporters of some political parties whose leaders have expressed such sentiments. We stand firmly behind the constitutional right to freedom of the media against any of characterisation as “enemies.” The “fourth … [Read more...] about South Africa’s media characterised as “enemies”
EC Women and Children suffer due to GBV
Dear MyPE Today, 25 November 2020, South Africa launches 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children while the majority of our women and children are not enjoying their constitutional rights to freedom and safety. Women and children are being kidnapped, raped and killed on a daily basis and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) has long ago reached crisis proportions – with the Eastern Cape being a particular hotspot for these heinous crimes. This was highlighted by the fact … [Read more...] about EC Women and Children suffer due to GBV
Cele must charge Malema for threats against SAPS members and their families
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) calls on the Minister of Police, Bheki Cele, to charge the Leader of the EFF, Julius Malema, with incitement to commit violence against members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) and their families. The Minister’s condemnation of Malema’s comments ring hollow if not followed by decisive action. Strong and decisive action must follow in order to reassure our men and women in blue and their families that their Minister is on their side not the … [Read more...] about Cele must charge Malema for threats against SAPS members and their families
SA needs 365 days of activism to tackle gender-based violence
Dear MyPE South Africa’s coronavirus pandemic has highlighted, in gruesome detail, the rising scourge of gender-based violence in our country. For the many women and children in South Africa who were forced into isolation with their abusers, our country’s national lockdown was a time of terror. As much as 51% of South African women have experienced violence at the hands of an intimate partner, and the worrying spike in gender-based violence under lockdown serves as a reminder of the … [Read more...] about SA needs 365 days of activism to tackle gender-based violence
Allegations of corruption extend to the highest provincial office
Dear MyPE The stench of corruption allegations continue to haunt the Eastern Cape, reinforcing its image as the epicentre of corruption in South Africa. The latest allegations reach into the highest office in the province following the arrest of Premier Oscar Mabuyane’s special advisor, Zandisile Qupe, on Friday, the 20 November 2020. This week I have asked parliamentary questions in this regard. Premier, you cannot say you did not know! Your judgement is also in the dock with this … [Read more...] about Allegations of corruption extend to the highest provincial office
Nelson Mandela Bay Speaker in contempt of court
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) will be seeking a contempt of court order against Nelson Mandela Bay Speaker, ANC councillor Buyelwa Mafaya, after her reprehensible conduct during today’s Nelson Mandela Bay council meeting. Mafaya’s argument that she had adhered to a court order by placing the item of the election of an Executive Mayor on the agenda, but not having to follow through with the actual election, is nonsensical in the extreme and in bad faith. The Speaker’s remarks … [Read more...] about Nelson Mandela Bay Speaker in contempt of court
Motshekga and DBE must account to Parliament after another Matric exam leak
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) calls on the Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga and the Director-General of the Department of Basic Education, Hubert Mweli, to urgently appear before the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education, to account for the latest incident of leaked matric exam papers. It has emerged that Physical Science Paper 2 exam was leaked and seen by students before the commencement of the exam yesterday morning. This latest leak is damaging and has … [Read more...] about Motshekga and DBE must account to Parliament after another Matric exam leak
Mkhize must brief Parliament on rising Covid-19 cases in the Eastern Cape
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) calls on the Minister of Health, Dr Zweli Mkhize, to urgently brief Parliament on the situation that is unfolding in the Eastern Cape, specifically in the Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB) area. I will be writing to the Chairperson m of the Portfolio Committee on Health, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, to urgently place this matter on the committee’s agenda for this coming Wednesday. The NMB Municipality has seen a rapid rise in Covid-19 cases which are a great cause … [Read more...] about Mkhize must brief Parliament on rising Covid-19 cases in the Eastern Cape
Only 6 days left for public comment on proposal to increase SABC license fees
Dear MyPE Tomorrow the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies is due present its proposal to extend the payment of television (TV) license fees to include streaming services. The Democratic Alliance (DA) encourages members of the public to make their voices heard by submitting their views on the proposal. It is only through participatory democracy, where everyone has a say, that our democracy will thrive. The Proposal is contained in the Draft White Paper on Audio and … [Read more...] about Only 6 days left for public comment on proposal to increase SABC license fees
DBE must provide update on source of Matric exam leak
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) calls on the Department of Basic Education (DBE) to provide a progress update on the investigation into the leaked Mathematics Matric exam paper. In particular, regarding the source of the leak. It is vital that we know where this leak originated from to prevent this from happening again. It will also give assurance to both parents and learners that the DBE is on top of this situation. Preliminary investigations have revealed that further … [Read more...] about DBE must provide update on source of Matric exam leak
