https://youtu.be/H3SFGCskPvE Dear MyPE Raw untreated sewage flowing directly into the Swartkops River and Estuary in Port Elizabeth is contributing to a massive ecological catastrophe that could see the total collapse of one of our most precious wildlife ecosystems. The Swartkops River Estuary is every bit as sensitive and unique as the ecosystem of the Knysna Lagoon and needs to be protected. Instead, we are currently presiding over the total destruction of this precious wildlife … [Read more...] about Swartkops River and Estuary Pollution a Foretaste of a Massive Ecological Catastrophe
Letters to the Editor
Is the NCCC as much in the dark as the rest of SA?
Dear MyPE I urge President Ramaphosa to provide clarity on lockdown levels 3, 2 and 1 and to give South Africans a better idea of when we can expect to move down to level 2 and then 1. There is a growing sense that the lockdown levels exist to give the illusion of control and of something being done, rather than to actually enhance public safety and wellbeing in a time of heightened risk and uncertainty. There is currently a great deal of uncertainty around what is and is not permitted … [Read more...] about Is the NCCC as much in the dark as the rest of SA?
Calls on Home Affairs to open all offices on Saturdays
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) calls on the Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, to open Home Affairs offices on Saturdays to address the plight of the youth in South Africa. Home Affairs proudly announced that 25 offices around South Africa will be open on Youth Day to allow Matrics to apply for identity (ID) documents. This is simply not good enough. With Home Affairs currently working on one-third staff complement that means that two-thirds of staff have been at … [Read more...] about Calls on Home Affairs to open all offices on Saturdays
SAA’s Obscene R30 billion business rescue plan
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) categorically reject the proposed business rescue plan by the South African Airways (SAA) Business Rescue Practitioners (BRPs), Les Matuson and Siviwe Dongwana, that relies on a R32.65 billion bailout from Government. The DA will write to the Minister of Finance, Tito Mboweni, to ask him to do what is right and oppose this ridiculous bailout. We will also write to the Competition Tribunal to request an investigation into this proposed SAA bailout as … [Read more...] about SAA’s Obscene R30 billion business rescue plan
Learners not in safe hands under the Department of Health
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance is extremely concerned for the safety and well-being of learners in the Eastern Cape after provincial schools were placed under the custodianship of the Department of Health. The Eastern Cape Department of Health is itself in chaos and has proven itself unable to manage its own response to the current Covid-19 crisis. Placing the task of custodianship of schools in their hands places the lives of learners at risk! The department of Education needs to … [Read more...] about Learners not in safe hands under the Department of Health
NMB – The City With No Mayor and No City Manager
Dear MyPE The draft budget for 2020/2021 and IDP for Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality was today, 15 June 2020, noted during a chaotic council meeting attended by an unlawfully appointed and unqualified Acting City Manager. The virtual council meeting was not attended by the Democratic Alliance (DA). However, Mr. Mvuleni Mapu was in attendance, in the capacity of Acting City Manager. Mapu was unlawfully installed in this position last week by Deputy Mayor, Cllr Tshonono Buyeye, after he … [Read more...] about NMB – The City With No Mayor and No City Manager
‘Scootergate’ saga the last straw
https://youtu.be/f2CL75ULvNY Dear MyPE The Eastern Cape Department of Health is in crisis. Patients are dying on floors in our state hospitals and frontline workers have the highest rate of Covid-19 infections in the country, and what does out MEC of Health, Sindiswa Gomba, do? Instead of focusing on the crisis at hand, our MEC of Health decided to launch the procurement of 100 1920’s-style scooters, parading up and down the East London esplanade, while her colleagues clapped and … [Read more...] about ‘Scootergate’ saga the last straw
Calls for Eastern Cape Department of Health to be placed under administration
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) will write to the Minister of Health, Dr Zweli Mkhize to call for the Eastern Cape Department of Health to be placed under administration in terms of section 100 (1) of the Constitution. In the past several weeks we have seen a province with a broken health system miserably failing to deal with the rising infections of Covid-19. Reports indicate that on Friday during Dr Mkhize’s visit to the province, the Premier, Oscar Mabuyane admitted that the … [Read more...] about Calls for Eastern Cape Department of Health to be placed under administration
Open community halls to assist vulnerable SASSA grant recipients
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) has written to Social Development Minister, Lindiwe Zulu, calling for the reopening of community halls within municipalities across South Africa. Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown, community halls played a vital logistical role in bringing SASSA services closer for over 18 million vulnerable pensioners, parents, persons with disabilities and many other grant recipients. Community halls are geographically located in the heart of … [Read more...] about Open community halls to assist vulnerable SASSA grant recipients
Mantashe remains mum as diesel shortage worsens
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) remains extremely concerned at the lack of response from the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Gwede Mantashe, his Department and Parliament, regarding the ongoing diesel shortages being experienced around South Africa. Gauteng is amongst the worst hit, with numerous wholesalers and retailers reportedly "dry", and others experiencing difficulty in obtaining resupply. Although production has ramped up at the refineries and product imports … [Read more...] about Mantashe remains mum as diesel shortage worsens
Minister Nxesi must withdraw extension of bargaining deal that will destroy salons
Dear MyPE Minister of Employment and Labour, Thulas Nxesi, must withdraw the collective bargaining deal that he extended to “non-parties” in the beauty and haircare sector yesterday. The sector, which has been shuttered since the beginning of lockdown and still cannot open for business, is already on its knees. The Democratic Alliance (DA) has taken the matter to court, and is fighting to have the ban and criminalisation of "personal care" services (which includes hairdressers and … [Read more...] about Minister Nxesi must withdraw extension of bargaining deal that will destroy salons
Return Bobani as Mayor
The SACP Mbuyiselo Ngwenda District in the Eastern Cape calls on the black caucus to rescind the decision taken on the 05 December 2019 Dear MyPE We have noted with great concern events that are unfolding in NMBM and the counter revolutionary conduct that seeks to render our municipality useless. We have noted, with great concern an overwhelming interest in this municipality which manifest itself through a string of interventions, which can be traced all the way from 2008. The SACP … [Read more...] about Return Bobani as Mayor
Calls for full transparency on new SOE, the National Petroleum Company
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) has taken note of Cabinet’s decision to merge PetroSA, the Strategic Fuel Fund (SFF) and iGas into one National Petroleum Company. While there may be certain benefits in such a merger, this decision could create a potentially unfair competitive advantage for the new entity, despite the highly competitive nature of the petroleum sector. The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy also needs to answer the following questions regarding this … [Read more...] about Calls for full transparency on new SOE, the National Petroleum Company
Eastern Cape breaks new ground with successful Virtual Town Hall Meeting
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Eastern Cape is committed to pioneering new and innovative ways of engaging the public on important issues in government. Yesterday, 11 June 2020, the DA made history by hosting the first-ever Virtual Town Hall meeting in the history of the Eastern Cape. This Virtual Town Meeting was broadcast live on Facebook, where I was joined by DA Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB) Caucus Leader, Cllr Jonathan Lawack, DA NMB Spokesperson for Budget and Treasury, … [Read more...] about Eastern Cape breaks new ground with successful Virtual Town Hall Meeting
Personal Care Services: Minister Dlamini-Zuma fails to comply with timeline
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) notes the order issued by Western Cape High Court Judge, Justice Mark Sher, postponing the matter of the ban on hairdressers and personal care services under the level 3 lockdown to Monday, 22 June 2020, for it to be heard before a Full Bench of the Court. This, after Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma failed to file opposing papers. The government will also be given an opportunity to consider reopening … [Read more...] about Personal Care Services: Minister Dlamini-Zuma fails to comply with timeline
