Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) supports the right of restaurant owners and staff to protest irrational and damaging Covid-19 regulations that endanger their livelihoods, in a manner that complies with health and safety regulations. The Restaurant Association of South Africa (RASA) is planning a peaceful protest for later today where owners will place their empty tables and chairs in front of their restaurants to demonstrate the financial impact of the extended Covid-19 lockdown … [Read more...] about On Restaurant Owners’ Right to Protest
Letters to the Editor
Minister Mkhize confirms Eastern Cape will not be placed under administration to save lives
Dear MyPE This morning the Health Portfolio Committee received a presentation from the Eastern Cape Department of Health on the crisis that is unfolding in the province regarding its health system incapacity. This engagement with the province has proven that over and above the surge that is being experienced, the health system and those in leadership positions in the province, are out of their depth. This admission was particularly concerning considering that the Minister of Health, Dr … [Read more...] about Minister Mkhize confirms Eastern Cape will not be placed under administration to save lives
The biggest beneficiary of National Lottery Commission (NLC) funding
Lottery beneficiaries include corrupt ANC municipalities and R500m to SASCOC Dear MyPE A reply to a Democratic Alliance (DA) parliamentary question has revealed that the biggest beneficiary of National Lottery Commission (NLC) funding between 2010 and 2018, has received nearly R500 million. The NLC’s four biggest beneficiaries over the period include: South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee – R490 498 123.00 SA Sports Trust – R128 910 864 SA College Principals … [Read more...] about The biggest beneficiary of National Lottery Commission (NLC) funding
“Confidential” Document Leaked
DA blows the lid on populist plan by Minister Patel to destroy credit lending market Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) has received a document drafted by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, marked "Confidential" which will have devastating consequences for the credit industry as well as consumers, which seeks to use the State of Disaster to expunge credit records. While the idea behind this move may seem altruistic and noble, the truth is, Minister Ebrahim Patel is … [Read more...] about “Confidential” Document Leaked
The 9 Deadliest Sins
Dear MyPE Even though the biblical 7 deadliest sins have been well recorded throughout many centuries, I believe that Fame & Relevance should be included as the 8th & 9th ones, respectively. A case in point is the capturing of macabre video clips and sending it online , worst of all the killing of people in real time. In the South African case, our politicians are more concerned about who (or which party) is getting credit for any menial idea to ensure its fame, relevance & … [Read more...] about The 9 Deadliest Sins
AG to investigate EC ‘Scooter Scandal’
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomes the news that the Auditor-General of South Africa will be looking into the Eastern Cape Department of Health’s “Scooter Scandal”. The DA has long held the view that this was an unnecessary waste of taxpayers’ money that would have been better spent trying to shore up the province’s meagre defences against the Covid-19 pandemic. Not to mention the fact that these scooters are nothing but undignified, glorified wheelbarrows that not even … [Read more...] about AG to investigate EC ‘Scooter Scandal’
MPLs speak out against rampant corruption in the Eastern Cape
Dear MyPE Tomorrow, 22 July 2020, Democratic Alliance (DA) members of the provincial legislature (MPLs) will be premiering a video on the DA Eastern Cape Facebook page that deals with corruption in the province. I will be joined by DA EC Shadow MEC of Finance, Retief Odendaal MPL, Shadow MEC of COGTA, Vicky Knoetze MPL, Shadow MEC of Health, Jane Cowley MPL, Shadow MEC for Education, Yusuf Cassim MPL, and Shadow MEC for Transport, Marshal von Buchenroder MPL, to discuss why corruption … [Read more...] about MPLs speak out against rampant corruption in the Eastern Cape
NMB “interim” Mayor must provide Day Zero Disaster Plan
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB) has written to the self-styled "interim" Mayor, Cllr Tshonono Buyeye, requesting him to deliver a report on the Metro’s plan of action for when supply dams run dry. On 20 July 2020 the dams supplying the Metro with water were at a combined 17.99% of capacity. It is now almost a certainty that the dams will run dry and won't be able to supply the City with water. Due to low dam levels water interruptions to the Western … [Read more...] about NMB “interim” Mayor must provide Day Zero Disaster Plan
Nelson Mandela Bay Covid-19 mortality rate clearly false
Dear MyPE According to statistics released daily by the Eastern Cape Department of Health, the mortality rate from the Covid-19 virus in Nelson Mandela Bay has remained constant at 136 deaths since 30 June 2020. These figures are false. Hospital mortuaries are struggling to cope with the number of corpses on a daily basis and funeral parlours are stretched to the absolute limit as they try to keep up with the number of daily burials in the district. Why is the Department not releasing … [Read more...] about Nelson Mandela Bay Covid-19 mortality rate clearly false
True cost of DOE Sizwe Africa IT deal surfaces
Dear MyPE The Eastern Cape’s Education Department has revealed that the controversial contract with Sizwe Africa IT Group is worth more than double the R160 million they initially presented, costing the department over R400 million! Not only is the cost more than double, but it has also been revealed that the 55,000 tablets and related products being supplied, would be leased, and that after the 36 month deal expired, these would have to be returned to the company. This is also four … [Read more...] about True cost of DOE Sizwe Africa IT deal surfaces
Farm Murders? What Farm Murders?
Dear MyPE An open letter to President Cyril Ramaphosa on Farm Murders Mr President, On September 26, 2018 you spoke to financial news service Bloomberg on the sidelines of the Bloomberg Global Business Forum in New York. In the interview, you said that there were "no killings of farmers… white farmers in South Africa.” In fact farmers (black and white), farm workers (black and white), and visitors to farms (black and white) were being killed, and are still being killed today. These … [Read more...] about Farm Murders? What Farm Murders?
Non-political Farce
Dear MyPE As much as Charl B (The Herald 17 July 2020) mentions people who are non-political to run the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, his covert White Supremacy is evident by singling out entrepreneurial white men as suitable candidates. I repeat, Verkrampte Witmense (VW) aka White Supremacists and Black Educational Snobs (BES) belong to the same WhatsApp , which is prejudice based on deluded sense of superiority. In the South African context, Black means any non-Aryan group eg. ethnic … [Read more...] about Non-political Farce
NMB’s Very Own Corona-gate – Are we Mad Yet?
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) has approached the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) to investigate potential impropriety in the awarding of several tenders to deliver Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. (letter attached) It has come to our attention that an ANC-affiliated company, Kaziforce, was awarded a tender to deliver protective face masks to the Metro. Sitting NMB ANC councillor Gamelihleli Maqula, a former director of the company, … [Read more...] about NMB’s Very Own Corona-gate – Are we Mad Yet?
Tourism Ministers poor reply to Charter Boat Industry will kill jobs in coastal provinces
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) will reach out to the Minister of Transport, Fikile Mbalula, the Minister of Public Enterprises, Pravin Gordhan, and the Minister of Tourism, Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane, to urgently reopen the charter boat industry. The industry has been left rudderless for more than 100 days and unless these Ministers step in immediately, it will not survive. More than that, Minister Kubayi-Ngubane may have possibly mislead Parliament when she responded to queries … [Read more...] about Tourism Ministers poor reply to Charter Boat Industry will kill jobs in coastal provinces
NPOs in crisis as DSD fails to pay subsidies on time
Dear MyPE The Eastern Cape Department of Social Development has once again failed to timeously pay Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs) the subsidies they are due. These struggling NPOs – that are responsible for the elderly, children and those with disabilities - have now gone almost four months without receiving any payment from the department. Even though NPOs are expected to start receiving payments mid-July, these organisations have been suffering financially since the beginning of … [Read more...] about NPOs in crisis as DSD fails to pay subsidies on time
