Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance Women’s Network (DAWN) in the Tsitsi-Kouga Constituency has launched a court watching brief campaign to monitor cases of Gender Based Violence (GBV). This comes as a woman was murdered in Sea Vista in St Francis Bay and a young girl was raped and murdered in Hankey recently. The campaign will see DAWN representatives attending court proceedings to monitor the cases and ensure that justice is served on perpetrators of GBV. DAWN representatives will also … [Read more...] about Women’s Network Launches GBV Court Watching Brief Campaign in Kouga
Letters to the Editor
24-Hour traffic law enforcement fails to launch
Dear MyPE Transport MEC, Weziwe Tikana Gxothiwe should hang her head in shame, as the 24-hour traffic law enforcement that she has been promising for years, and which was supposed to come into effect at the beginning of October, has failed to launch. Twenty-four-hour traffic law enforcement is desperately needed in the Eastern Cape if there is to be any hope of returning law and order to our roads and saving lives needlessly lost. MEC Tikana Gxothiwe, in response to a parliamentary … [Read more...] about 24-Hour traffic law enforcement fails to launch
Libraries at risk of collapse as funding delayed
Dear MyPE Libraries across the province, which serve as cornerstones for reading and learning, are at risk of permanent closure as much needed funding has been delayed by a broken bureaucratic system. Not one municipality in the province has received their 2020/2021 library subsidies from the Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture (DSRAC). These subsidies total R73,9 million. DSRAC MEC, Fezeka Bayeni, in response to a parliamentary question, said the delays in funding … [Read more...] about Libraries at risk of collapse as funding delayed
Amendments to the Health Act give unvetted powers to the Minister of Health similar to a State of Disaster
Dear MyPE Health Minister Zweli Mkhize’s late night introduction of amendments to the Regulations Relating to the Surveillance and the Control of Notifiable Medical Conditions, 24 hours before the extended National State of Disaster under the Disaster Management Act expires is deeply concerning. It gives an impression of a government desperate to retain power over its citizens even outside of a legitimate State of Disaster by giving powers to the Minister which will allow him and the … [Read more...] about Amendments to the Health Act give unvetted powers to the Minister of Health similar to a State of Disaster
Minister De Lille must provide answers on dangerous Humansdorp Court
Dear MyPE Thirteen years after promises of a much-needed upgrade by the Department of Public Works, the Humansdorp Magistrates Court still poses significant health and safety risks to all that enter there. Yesterday, 13 October 2020, I was joined by Sarah Baartman District Municipality Cllr Henni Britz in conducting an oversight inspection at the court and was shocked at its dilapidated state. (see pictures here, here, here and here) Plans to extend and secure this building have been in … [Read more...] about Minister De Lille must provide answers on dangerous Humansdorp Court
CSA government intervention could open door to political interference
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) notes the decision by the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa to give a notice of government intervention to the International Cricket Council (ICC) in the affairs of Cricket South Africa (CSA). This intervention by government is far from ideal, as it could open the door to political interference at CSA. We trust that no decisions will be made without the applicable response from the ICC. The DA maintains that the appointment of … [Read more...] about CSA government intervention could open door to political interference
Helenvale residents roll up their sleeves to tackle illegal dumping crisis
Dear MyPE Today, 14 October 2020, I was joined by local DA councillors and 100 volunteers in an effort to clear the massive illegal dumping site in front of the Helenvale Primary School in the Northern Areas of Port Elizabeth. (see pictures here, here and here) This dumping site poses a massive health and safety risk and is teeming with rats and is, therefore, a breeding ground for infections. The Municipality seems unable or unwilling to clear illegal dumping sites and is putting the … [Read more...] about Helenvale residents roll up their sleeves to tackle illegal dumping crisis
Why must someone die in order for Minister Cele to get to grips with conditions on farms?
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomes the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) investigation into allegations that members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) are involved in the stock theft syndicate operating in the Senekal-area in the Free State and call on them to expand the investigation to encompasses more rural communities in South Africa. The DA has been reliably informed from our numerous oversight inspections to various rural communities through … [Read more...] about Why must someone die in order for Minister Cele to get to grips with conditions on farms?
DASO wins top leadership positions at EC Midlands College
Dear MyPE The trust students have in the DA Student Organisation (DASO) was reaffirmed when DASO candidates were elected to top leadership positions in the Eastcape Midlands College Student Representative Council (SRC). The SRC election concluded today, 13 October 2020. After all the ballots were cast and the votes counted, three of DASO’s candidates won positions in the SRC. Kirston Baatjies was elected Campus Chairperson of the EC Midlands College Heath Park Campus, while … [Read more...] about DASO wins top leadership positions at EC Midlands College
Calls for independent investigation into CSA, as board tables whitewashed forensic report
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) calls for the establishment of an independent committee to investigate the ongoing challenges within Cricket South Africa (CSA). This comes as the CSA board finally released its long-overdue forensic report into the organization’s administration following sustained pressure from the DA and Parliament’s Portfolio Committee of Sports, Arts and Culture. Following our initial reading of the report, the DA is of the view that the allegations in the report … [Read more...] about Calls for independent investigation into CSA, as board tables whitewashed forensic report
Environmental Affairs buckles under staff shortages
Dear MyPE At a time when our province is under siege by poachers targeting wild animals, indigenous plants and several marine species, critical vacancies in the enforcement and compliance components of the Department of Environmental Affairs have not been filled. The lack of environmental law enforcement is undermining our economy. The wanton plundering by organised poaching syndicates has a devastating impact on the province’s natural heritage and poses a significant risk to the … [Read more...] about Environmental Affairs buckles under staff shortages
South Africa is currently on a 73% deficit on economic reform progress
Dear MyPE Today marks exactly 508 days since President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered his Presidential inauguration speech at the Union Buildings in which he called for an economic compact to drive growth and economic opportunity. Since then, however, the economy has continued its downward trajectory, with the unemployment rate reaching an unprecedented all-time high. When Covid-19 hit our shores early this year, it delivered the final blow to an economy that was already in deep crisis due to … [Read more...] about South Africa is currently on a 73% deficit on economic reform progress
We need an immediate plagiarism audit of all provincial departments
Dear MyPE Premier Oscar Mabuyane must immediately institute a plagiarism audit of all policy documents produced across all departments of his provincial administration, if he hopes to restore the public’s faith in provincial government processes. Our journey into the fourth industrial revolution cannot be based on flawed planning if we are to build a capable state. This follows after the hasty withdrawal of the ICT framework document, titled Provincial Digital Transformation Framework … [Read more...] about We need an immediate plagiarism audit of all provincial departments
Calls for establishment of parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee to investigate rampant criminality in SAPS
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) will write to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Thandi Modise, to request that she uses the power at her disposal in terms of Rule 253(1) (b) of the Rules of the National Assembly to establish an Ad Hoc Committee of the National Assembly to investigate criminality and corruption at the South African Police Services (SAPS). This is in light of yet another scandal involving the police, this time the SAPS Deputy National Commissioner, Bonang Mgwenya, … [Read more...] about Calls for establishment of parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee to investigate rampant criminality in SAPS
State of disaster and lockdown must end now
Dear MyPE The DA calls on Ramaphosa’s cabinet to resist the urge to once again extend the state of disaster, which is otherwise due to end on Thursday 15 October. South Africa’s prolonged lockdown must end immediately and completely. Indeed, both should have ended five months ago. SA’ epidemiological models massively exaggerated the size of the covid risk. The World Health Organisation has now echoed what the DA has been saying for months: that lockdowns are net harmful and unjustifiable. … [Read more...] about State of disaster and lockdown must end now
