Dear MyPE Hundreds of young learners from Laerskool Grens in Arcadia, Buffalo City are being crammed into overcrowded classrooms, because work on the new school they were promised four years ago has ground to a halt. This situation has been further exacerbated as the Department has annexed half of the current school grounds for the Buffalo City Inner City School, which is now also operating off the same premises. Effectively, due to the bureaucratic bungling of an inept Education … [Read more...] about BCM learners share cramped school ground as project stalls
Letters to the Editor
EC remains epicentre of unemployment crisis
Dear MyPE The devastating economic fallout of the Coronavirus pandemic and subsequent enforced lockdown continues to be reflected in the latest unemployment figures contained in the Quarterly Labour Force Survey statistics, released today. The Eastern Cape remains the jobs slaughterhouse of the country. It is the epicentre of the virus, the epicentre of corruption and now continues to be the epicentre of unemployment in South Africa. The provincial unemployment figures are the worst in … [Read more...] about EC remains epicentre of unemployment crisis
Stop the fearmongering, stop the economy-bashing, and end the state of disaster, Mr President
Dear MyPE It is incomprehensible that the state of disaster has been extended by yet another month. Government cannot keep managing South Africa around a single risk when our nation is so imperiled by far greater risks, such as poverty, hunger and unemployment. We reject with contempt the veiled threat of a return to higher levels of lockdown. This country is in serious trouble. What people need most right now is maximum freedom and confidence to rebuild the economy and their lives. … [Read more...] about Stop the fearmongering, stop the economy-bashing, and end the state of disaster, Mr President
High Court upholds order for Speaker to call council meeting to elect NMB Mayor
Dear MyPE The Port Elizabeth High Court has upheld its earlier decision that the Nelson Mandela Bay Speaker, ANC Cllr Buyelwa Mafaya, must call a council meeting to elect an Executive Mayor within seven days. The Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomes the judgment handed down by Judge Irma Schoeman yesterday that in the main dismissed the Municipality’s appeal against the earlier court order. (judgment attached) In August of this year Judge Schoeman ordered that the Speaker be directed to … [Read more...] about High Court upholds order for Speaker to call council meeting to elect NMB Mayor
Komani EMS in crisis, putting lives at risk
Dear MyPE Just five ambulances. That is all Komani, Cradock and Middelburg have to rely on in a medical emergency. Five ambulances that have to cover 3,813km2, an area one and a half times the size of the city of Cape Town. This has resulted in the average response time for towns such as Cradock and Middelburg being up to an hour for priority level one calls, for people whose lives are under threat, after the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) was centralised to Komani. The DA recently … [Read more...] about Komani EMS in crisis, putting lives at risk
Health Department must communicate as second wave appears to hit Eastern Cape
Dear MyPE The second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic appears to be in full swing in the Eastern Cape, with the Department of Health already severely stretched as hospital admissions increase. The failure to communicate effectively on the continued dangers of this virus is resulting in a high degree of non-compliance. In the DA-administered Western Cape there is a live Covid-19 dashboard, accessible to the public with up to date statistics to keep the public informed. There have been … [Read more...] about Health Department must communicate as second wave appears to hit Eastern Cape
The Transition From Relief to Recovery
Dear Fellow South African, The jacaranda trees are in full bloom across the nation’s capital, heralding the start of summer. After a long and difficult winter, the beginning of a new season should fill us with optimism. When the National State of Disaster was declared in March, our immediate priority was to contain the spread of the virus and provide emergency relief to citizens, communities, workers and businesses. Over the course of eight months and with the support of our social … [Read more...] about The Transition From Relief to Recovery
DA clarifies report regarding Bhanga’s alleged misuse of NMB municipal vehicle
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) wishes to clarify a recent misleading report implying that DA Eastern Cape Provincial Leader, Cllr Nqaba Bhanga, misused a municipal vehicle and that this alleged misuse led to the tragic death of two people. The incident in 2017, in which Cllr Bhanga’s security officer was involved in an accident that tragically ended two lives, took place while Cllr Bhanga was still the Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Human Settlements in Nelson Mandela … [Read more...] about DA clarifies report regarding Bhanga’s alleged misuse of NMB municipal vehicle
R334 Still in a treacherous condition
Dear MyPE The main provincial road between Motherwell and Colchester, the R334, is in dire need of repair, with certain areas so badly degraded that the road poses a serious risk to those travelling on it. In response to a parliamentary question from the Democratic Alliance (DA), the MEC for Transport, Weziwe Tikana-Gxothiwe, in November 2019, stated that routine maintenance was continuously being done to this road, but based on its condition, this maintenance has been woefully … [Read more...] about R334 Still in a treacherous condition
Rochelle De Kock Appointment
Dear MyPE Congratulations Congratulations Congratulations to Rochelle De Kock on being appointed as the albeit long over-due editor of both The Herald and Weekend Post newspapers. May these publications continue being primarily reporting, insight & ideas' platforms that they are and have always been under her stewardship. Her team cannot be overlooked as they surely add value those newspapers too. Two thumbs up madam & crew. Regards Luyanda Marlon Kama Kwa-Dwesi, Port … [Read more...] about Rochelle De Kock Appointment
Fire-ravaged Mandela Village community housed in death traps
Dear MyPE The residents of Mandela Village in KwaZakhele, Port Elizabeth have not only lost all their earthly belongings after their shacks were razed to the ground, but now also fear for their lives in temporary shanty death traps. In September of this year close to 80 people were left without roofs over their heads after a fire gutted Mandela Village. In response to this disaster the Eastern Cape Provincial Government forked out more than R1,6 million to provide temporary housing for … [Read more...] about Fire-ravaged Mandela Village community housed in death traps
Health Department must step up to assist Matrics writing exams
Dear MyPE The Department of Health must step up and assist schools where matriculants have started writing examinations, to help providing isolation areas and invigilation for learners to write exams who might be carrying the virus. The Democratic Alliance has noted that, despite matric exams starting today, the Health Department is nowhere to be seen, even though they were mandated to provide the necessary assistance. Not only are learners scared of catching the virus, but they are … [Read more...] about Health Department must step up to assist Matrics writing exams
Calls for the appointment of a Children’s Commissioner in EC
Dear MyPE The scourge of violence against women and children is being allowed to go unchecked by an uncaring ANC government - and this was highlighted as rape and murder victim Inathi Abukwe Mhlahlo (6) was laid to rest today. Inathi’s half-naked body was found in bushes next to a road in Mdantsane in East London on 26 October of this year. Now more than ever it is clear that urgent steps need to be taken to protect our children. Children in the Eastern Cape face many challenges - … [Read more...] about Calls for the appointment of a Children’s Commissioner in EC
Water and sanitation rapid response committees established in Chris Hani District
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) has begun establishing rapid response committees to address the total collapse of water and sanitation services provided by the Chris Hani District Municipality (CHDM). Last night, 3 November 2020, the first of three Town Hall meetings regarding this matter was held in Cradock, in the Inxuba Yethemba Local Municipality. The CHDM is responsible for the provision of water and sanitation services to the local municipalities of Inxuba Yethemba, Enoch … [Read more...] about Water and sanitation rapid response committees established in Chris Hani District
Another farm attack in Addo Kirkwood area
Dear MyPE Another farm attack has occurred in the Addo Kirkwood area, again highlighting the need for urgent intervention by police in this provincial hotspot. How much longer must the warning lights flash before action is taken? The Democratic Alliance (DA) has received information that last night (Monday, 03 November 2020) at about 19:15, a man was attacked on a farm by five or six individuals, who made off with firearms, including a shotgun and revolver. I have been raising my … [Read more...] about Another farm attack in Addo Kirkwood area
