Dear MyPE The Education Portfolio Committee must call the State Information Technology Agency (SITA) to explain why it has turned to the High Court in a bid to stop a controversial R538 million tablet deal between the provincial education department and the Sizwe Africa IT Group. The evidence is piling up that the contract, awarded to a subsidiary of well-known ANC-ally Iqbal Survé’s Ayo Technology Solutions, is irregular and should be set aside, despite the ANC members of the portfolio … [Read more...] about SITA court action further evidence that Sizwe Africa deal irregular
Letters to the Editor
StatsSA must commit to specific timeline on release of QLFS following second postponement
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) calls on Statistics South Africa (StatsSA) to commit to a specific timeline of when it will release the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) for the second quarter of the financial year. StatsSA has indicated that the report will be released at the end of September citing data collection challenges posed by Covid-19. Whilst we understand the extent to which the pandemic has affected the entity’s ability to collect data, it is concerning that StatsSA … [Read more...] about StatsSA must commit to specific timeline on release of QLFS following second postponement
Renewed call for an independent investigation into Makana Municipality administration
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) Caucus in the Makana Local Municipality has submitted a motion to the Council requesting an independent investigation into the administration of the municipality. We are also asking that the Municipal Manager be suspended pending the outcome of such an investigation. This follows after a High Court judgment called for the Premier of the Eastern Cape, Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane, to dissolve the Council immediately in terms of Section 137 (C) of the … [Read more...] about Renewed call for an independent investigation into Makana Municipality administration
6 Months of lockdown and thousands still waiting for answers from SASSA over R350 grant
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) has learned that the previous Minister of Social Development, Bathabile Dlamini, spent more than R2.5 million for a technical task team to review the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) business model and make recommendations in reforming how SASSA made its cash payments. In a reply to a DA parliamentary question, the Department of Social Development (DSD) said that it paid six technical advisers a total of R2 534 831,05 between May and … [Read more...] about 6 Months of lockdown and thousands still waiting for answers from SASSA over R350 grant
Summerstrand Residents Doing it for THEMSELVES
Dear MyPE With the sorry state of affairs our Metro finds themselves in, the grass cutting contract expired at the end of January and has never been renewed. Added to this, with the advent of Covid-19 and the closing of beaches no attention was paid to our beachfront resulting in vandalising of facilities and totally overgrown and derelict ‘lawns’, or rather weeds, all along the beachfront. With the relaxation of The State of Emergency to level 2 resulting in the opening of both … [Read more...] about Summerstrand Residents Doing it for THEMSELVES
Minister Zulu’s silence on ECDs is ripping families apart
Dear MyPE The Minister of Social Development, Lindiwe Zulu, is set to be challenged in the North Gauteng Division of the High Court yet again for violating the South African Constitution and the rights of children as per the Children’s Act in denying them access to basic nutrition (food and water), social services and the right to appropriate public administration. Founding affidavits by SA Childcare give damning accounts of nonpayment of subsidies by the Department of Social Development; … [Read more...] about Minister Zulu’s silence on ECDs is ripping families apart
How was the R2.5 billion drought relief fund spent?
Dear MyPE The Auditor-General (AG) of South Africa has turned down the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) request for an investigation into how the R2.5 billion allocated to the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) in 2016/17 for drought relief was spent. While the AG wrote back to indicate that his office is currently inundated with investigating various cases of Covid-19 corruption and does not currently have capacity to investigate this matter, the DA will … [Read more...] about How was the R2.5 billion drought relief fund spent?
SA’s first ever virtual political congress
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Eastern Cape will be making history when it holds South Africa's first ever virtual political congress. This historical congress takes place tomorrow, 29 August 2020, from 10h00 and everything is ready for it to be a great success. A new Eastern Cape political leadership will also be elected. The DA and its members have already shown faith in its current leadership by nominating unopposed Nelson Mandela Bay Councillor Nqaba Bhanga, as … [Read more...] about SA’s first ever virtual political congress
Calls on Cricket SA board to share contents of forensic report which led to CEO’s dismissal
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) calls on the Cricket South Africa (CSA) board to urgently release the forensic report it used to terminate its CEO, Thabang Moroe’s employment with immediate effect. According to the board, the decision to fire Moroe is in line with an external legal opinion they received and is also supported by findings of an independent forensic investigation which revealed that Moroe had allegedly committed acts of serious misconduct warranting his … [Read more...] about Calls on Cricket SA board to share contents of forensic report which led to CEO’s dismissal
The Eastern Cape’s Covid-19 Stats are still a mess
Dear MyPE The incompetent ANC-led Eastern Cape Government has once again shown that it is still incapable of providing reliable Covid-19 data for the province. The latest consolidated reports provided to members of the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature, are riddled with conflicting data, giving two very different sets of figures for active cases in the province. In the Western Cape, all citizens can access a daily Data Dashboard which is updated in real time and can drill down to … [Read more...] about The Eastern Cape’s Covid-19 Stats are still a mess
Dramatic rise in Eastern Cape farm attacks
Dear MyPE The number of farm attacks in the Eastern Cape have risen three-fold over the past four years, highlighting the brutal assault that continues to take place on Eastern Cape farmers. These attacks are a warning flag of the increasing violent crime in rural communities in the Eastern Cape, and once again highlights the urgent need for a Rural Safety Summit that can address the issue. The latest statistics, provided by MEC Weziwe Tikana-Gxothiwe in response to parliamentary … [Read more...] about Dramatic rise in Eastern Cape farm attacks
EC government must address Bedford land invasions
Dear MyPE The uncaring attitude of the ANC government has recently led to unacceptable land invasions in the town of Bedford. After waiting years for housing delivery, and fed up with government’s empty promises, members of the Goodwin Park community invaded vacant land on Sunday. Whilst not condoning the actions of the disgruntled residents, the DA believes that every South African family should have access to adequate shelter. The housing shortage and the failure of the Eastern … [Read more...] about EC government must address Bedford land invasions
Is the ANC pushing for a third alcohol ban?
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) has been reliably informed that there is a strong lobby within the ANC by certain Ministers to reintroduce another ban on alcohol as soon as possible. This group of Ministers include Police Minister Bheki Cele, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize, Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula and Cooperative Governance Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma. Over the last few days, Minister Mbalula has led the public charge in claiming that the laws need to be "reviewed" … [Read more...] about Is the ANC pushing for a third alcohol ban?
Coalition Talks
The DA will always put the people of NMB first Dear MyPE Much has recently been reported of coalition talks between the Democratic Alliance (DA) and other opposition parties in Nelson Mandela Bay, to form a government and remove the ANC-led Coalition of Corruption. The DA has previously said that we will only ever make decisions based on what is in the best interests of the people of Nelson Mandela Bay. After today’s failed council meeting it has, yet again, been made abundantly clear … [Read more...] about Coalition Talks
EC Government must investigate Burgersdorp water project irregularities
Dear MyPE The water-scarce area of Burgersdorp is bearing the brunt of alleged irregularities surrounding a Joe Gqabi District Municipality water project relating to the repair of the Chaipini’s Klip Dam in Burgersdorp, after it breached in February 2020. The project has stalled for over three months, after the current contractor claimed the municipality has failed to pay for work done, despite there being no evidence of their appointment to do the work in the first place. (See pics here … [Read more...] about EC Government must investigate Burgersdorp water project irregularities
