Dear MyPE https://youtu.be/FRlBxtlxx-s The Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomes the removal of Raymond Mhlaba Municipality Ward 20 Councillor, Cllr Lindelwa Penisi, as the Chief Whip of Council, but is shocked to learn that the ANC has decided to keep her on as a public representative. This follows after a video was circulated of Cllr Penisi shouting and swearing at residents whose only plea was for water. The DA highlighted yesterday that no public representative should ever conduct … [Read more...] about Disgraced ANC Raymond Mhlaba Councillor must be removed as public representative
Letters to the Editor
Mr President, will you ignore the Brand family farm attack, too?
dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) strongly condemns the farm attack on the Brand family on their smallholding in the Northern Cape. Danie (83) and Breggie (79) Brand, retired farmers, as well as their visiting daughter Elzabie (50), were allegedly attacked on Sunday on their farm at Magogong-plots in Hartswater, Northern Cape. It was only the following day, after repeated calls, that their house was visited, and the alarm raised. One of their two stolen vehicles was found abandoned … [Read more...] about Mr President, will you ignore the Brand family farm attack, too?
Calls for new provincial drought disaster to be declared for EC
Dear MyPE The recent decision to revoke the classification of the ongoing drought as a national disaster, and the lapsing of the Eastern Cape provincial drought disaster declaration, could have dire consequences for the province. While other provinces across the country may have received much needed rain over recent months, the Eastern Cape, and specifically the western half of the province, is still facing severe water shortages. This has had a crippling impact on agriculture in the … [Read more...] about Calls for new provincial drought disaster to be declared for EC
About that R350 Minister Zulu?
Dear MyPE The Minister of Social Development, Lindiwe Zulu, will deliver her Executive statement regarding the special Covid-19 relief of distress grant of R350 before Parliament on Thursday, 30 July 2020. The Democratic Alliance (DA) called for the Minister to give account of her Department’s abysmal handling of the payment of these grants on 9 June 2020 and is happy at the opportunity to hold the Minister to account. Minister Zulu should make the most of this opportunity, and use … [Read more...] about About that R350 Minister Zulu?
The path to recovery will be long and difficult. And so, it needs to start now.
Dear Fellow South African, As several parts of our country experience a surge in coronavirus infections, we are also confronted with the economic damage of this pandemic. The most recent economic indicators show a drastic decline in economic activity and in confidence. Despite the support measures we have put in place, businesses are being forced to close and jobs are being lost. The path to recovery will be long and difficult. And so, it needs to start now. Despite the economic … [Read more...] about The path to recovery will be long and difficult. And so, it needs to start now.
‘Brazenly incompetent’ Home Affairs ordered to stop denying South Africans born abroad citizenship
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomes the ruling of the Constitutional Court that confirms citizenship of persons born outside South Africa where one of the parents is a South African citizen. Previously Home Affairs had chosen to interpret section 2(1)(b) of the amended Citizenship Act to deny citizenship to persons born outside of South Africa before 1 January 2013 where one of the parents is a South African citizen. In its judgment the Court slammed the “brazenly … [Read more...] about ‘Brazenly incompetent’ Home Affairs ordered to stop denying South Africans born abroad citizenship
We are taking legal action to protect the interests of NMB residents
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) has written to the Speaker of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality requesting that she calls an urgent council meeting to elect an Executive Mayor, or face legal action. Our decision follows on the Eastern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Xolile Nqatha, informing the self-styled “interim” Mayor, Cllr Tshonono Buyeye, that he intends placing the Metro under administration. Senior leadership of the DA met last … [Read more...] about We are taking legal action to protect the interests of NMB residents
You are killing thousands of restaurants and ruining people’s lives for nothing, President Ramaphosa
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) condemns the actions by the South African Police Service (SAPS) on restaurant industry protestors this morning in the Cape Town city centre. The DA was present at the protest action today in support of the industry and witnessed the police’s senseless violence first hand. Protesters gathered at Parliament to hand over a petition, as they are constitutionally allowed to do, and which we as Members of Parliament are constitutionally obliged to … [Read more...] about You are killing thousands of restaurants and ruining people’s lives for nothing, President Ramaphosa
NMB Chief Financial Officer must investigate non-payment of municipal workers
Dear MyPE The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality’s inability to pay municipal workers their salaries for July highlights that the ANC-led coalition of corruption feels nothing for the struggles of workers and residents. During a time when the Covid-19 lockdown is wreaking havoc with our economy the non-payment of staff is simply unacceptable. I will, therefore, write to the Chief Financial Officer to request that he investigates this as a matter of urgency and gives feedback to … [Read more...] about NMB Chief Financial Officer must investigate non-payment of municipal workers
Minister Sisulu must account for Alfred Nzo Watertank Scandal as Coronavirus spreads
Dear MyPE Several thousand households in the rural areas of the Alfred Nzo District Municipality (ANDM) are at risk due to not having clean drinking water and making use of dirty streams, also used by animals and for the washing of clothes, as their only water option. This after the water tanks promised to them by the Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation, Lindiwe Sisulu, proved to be yet another failure during a time that proper drinking water and sanitation are … [Read more...] about Minister Sisulu must account for Alfred Nzo Watertank Scandal as Coronavirus spreads
Wylde Bridge, Swartkops in Grave Danger
Dear MyPE We have lodged numerous complaints to the municipality regarding the heavy trucks that travel across Wylde Bridge. As we know, the bridge is about 150 years old and was never designed to carry such heavy weights, thus the reason for the 5 ton signs. The truck drivers are the problem as the conveniently ignore the weight restriction and take their 30 or even 50 ton trucks across that bridge. Yesterday myself together with law enforcement officers Jane Jardine, Hank van de … [Read more...] about Wylde Bridge, Swartkops in Grave Danger
Independent entity must investigate irregular Ndlambe tender processes
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) has submitted a motion to the Speaker of the Ndlambe Local Municipality requesting a full investigation into the Municipality’s tender processes over the past three years. Last week the DA opened a criminal case against Ndlambe Municipal Manager, Rolly Dumezweni, at the Port Alfred police station. This case arises from the judgement against Ndlambe Municipality in the Grahamstown High Court, which found that the awarding of a tender to Quality … [Read more...] about Independent entity must investigate irregular Ndlambe tender processes
On the continued closure of specialised Yoga and Pilates studios
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) is in the process of exploring legal advice on the continued closure of specialised yoga and Pilates studios under the risk-adjusted level 3 lockdown. National Treasury projected that 50% of South Africans could lose their jobs during the pandemic, and instead of trying to stem the tide, the irrational sanctions and lack of directions from the ANC government on some sectors in the economy will simply ensure that those projections become set in … [Read more...] about On the continued closure of specialised Yoga and Pilates studios
Service delivery grinds to a halt while NMB committees are not meeting
Dear MyPE Service delivery in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has come to a grinding halt while standing committees are not meeting to take important decisions. Some of these committees, which should be making decisions on resolutions to be debated in and voted on by Council, have not met in almost 6 months. I have written to the Speaker of Council, Cllr Buyelwa Mafaya, to ascertain why these very important standing committees have not been able to meet. I also requested the … [Read more...] about Service delivery grinds to a halt while NMB committees are not meeting
We reject Government’s indefinite ban on tobacco and alcohol
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) rejects with contempt Governments disgraceful tweet which has advised South Africa that the ban on alcohol and tobacco will remain in place "throughout the lockdown". This indefinite ban could last weeks or even into 2021. What the government has done today is pull the middle finger to every person who works in the tobacco and alcohol industry, more so to all those restaurant owners, chefs and waiters who have been protesting today against the … [Read more...] about We reject Government’s indefinite ban on tobacco and alcohol
