Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) has noted the comments by President Cyril Ramaphosa during a meeting with the South African National Editors' Forum (Sanef) where he said that the government’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic laid the groundwork for the implementation of the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill. What is clear is that the President and his government are making the argument for the flawed NHI Bill using the global health crisis we find ourselves in. This is an … [Read more...] about President should not use Covid-19 for backdoor approval of NHI Bill
Letters to the Editor
Shock 30% rates increase for Nelson Mandela Bay over the next three years
Dear MyPE The current uncaring Nelson Mandela Bay leadership is planning to milk consumers, who are currently under huge financial stress due to the Coronavirus outbreak and subsequent lockdown, with a drastic 30,3% rates increase budgeted for over the next three years. The proposed rates increase for this upcoming 2020/2021 financial year, would see residents paying close to double the current rate of inflation, which could lead to a catastrophic economic collapse during a time when the … [Read more...] about Shock 30% rates increase for Nelson Mandela Bay over the next three years
Claim payouts by Eastern Cape police skyrocket to R63 million
Most claim cases are still pending Dear MyPE Claims against the Eastern Cape Police Service have skryrocketed, with over R62,8-million paid out in the first ten months of the 2019/2020 financial year, which is already R17 million more than the year before. These payouts are for just 658 claims that have been finalized. There are still 8,216 claims pending against the EC SAPS. Even more concerning is that these claims could escalate exponentially, based on reports of heavy-handed … [Read more...] about Claim payouts by Eastern Cape police skyrocket to R63 million
Ramaphosa must discipline Dlamini-Zuma for parliamentary questions
When you score 100%... for the wrong reasons Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) has formally requested President Cyril Ramaphosa to reprimand and discipline Minister of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, for her persistent failure to account to parliament through the mechanism of parliamentary questions. We also have requested that he take action against a number of other Ministers who are worst performers. Several Members of the Executive are … [Read more...] about Ramaphosa must discipline Dlamini-Zuma for parliamentary questions
Government sends mixed messages on reopening of Early Childhood Development sector
Dear MyPE The Departments of Social Development and Basic Education have sent mixed messages on the reopening of the Early Childhood Development (ECD) sector. The Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, on Friday, gazetted directions on the reopening of the ECD sector. The directions indicate that the sector would reopen on 6 July 2020. This stands in contrast to a circular sent out on the same day by the Acting Director-General of the Department of Social Development, Linton … [Read more...] about Government sends mixed messages on reopening of Early Childhood Development sector
Premier must personally oversee and monitor faltering Education Department
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Eastern Cape is calling on EC Premier, Oscar Mabuyane, to intervene and personally oversee and monitor the work of the Department of Education in the Eastern Cape. The Eastern Cape MEC for Education, Fundile Gade, continues to fail the learners of the province and is incapable of implementing measures to ensure that they receive a quality education in a safe and conducive environment. The Premier needs to intervene to ensure the safety of … [Read more...] about Premier must personally oversee and monitor faltering Education Department
Shambolic Sports and Arts Covid-19 relief funding
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) is demanding transparency from the Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa, on his department’s shambolic handling of the R150 million Arts and Sports Sector Relief Fund. We have received several complaints from athletes and artists who have successfully applied for relief funding but are yet to receive any payments from the department. They have sent numerous emails to follow up but never received any response, the DA’s emails and … [Read more...] about Shambolic Sports and Arts Covid-19 relief funding
Minister Dlamini Zuma lied to the nation and must be fired
Dear MyPE It appears that Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma lied to South Africans in her justification for the continued ban on the sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products. If this is indeed the case, then President Ramaphosa surely has no choice but to fire her from his cabinet. On 29 April, in a televised briefing of the regulations for Level 4 of the lockdown, Minister Dlamini Zuma claimed that government’s decision to … [Read more...] about Minister Dlamini Zuma lied to the nation and must be fired
Khoza should retract Eskom write-off comments
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) calls on Public Investment Corporation (PIC) Chairman Dr. Reuel Khoza to retract completely or clarify his comments in an eNCA interview today, that the PIC has submitted a proposal to turn R90 billion of Eskom debt into equity. Firstly, we do not believe there is any such "proposal”, at least in any formal sense that is anything more serious than idle chatter. Secondly, if there were such a proposal, it would be patently unacceptable and possibly … [Read more...] about Khoza should retract Eskom write-off comments
Dudu Myeni Saga
Dear MyPE As much as the ANC-anointed former South African Airways (SAA) chairperson, Dudu Myeni, might be declared as a delinquent director in terms of the Companies Act (The Herald 28 May 2020), yet that judgement by a court-of-law seems to be laced with racial overtones. It also doesn't help that since Nelson Mandela was a qualified lawyer, Jurisprudence, Law and/or Legalese became highly over-rated with TV-loving advocates, judges, lawyers, commissioners-of-inquiries etc. jostling for … [Read more...] about Dudu Myeni Saga
Level 3 regulations are irrational and lack scientific basis
Dear MyPE The release of government’s Level 3 regulations today by Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma confirms our view that our government is no longer focused on fighting the coronavirus pandemic. Instead, their focus has shifted to undermining the hard-fought freedoms of all South Africans. These regulations once again are illogical, irrational and lack any scientific basis. South Africans have long lost their confidence in our government’s ability to manage the lockdown in a manner that … [Read more...] about Level 3 regulations are irrational and lack scientific basis
Race-based leasing policy possible smokescreen for tenders to the politically connected
Dear MyPE The race-based policy for office leases, announced by the MEC of Public Works, Babalo Madikizela, during the tabling of his department’s budget in the EC legislature, is unconstitutional and possibly nothing more than a smokescreen to enrich politically connected individuals. The Democratic Alliance agrees that the province should give preference to Eastern Cape owned, managed and controlled landlords, in order to benefit the economy of the province. The DA also supports the … [Read more...] about Race-based leasing policy possible smokescreen for tenders to the politically connected
Open Early Childhood Development Centres under Level 3 Lockdown
dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) is calling on the Department of Social Development (DSD) to reopen Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres under the risk-adjusted level 3 lockdown, if these centres can fulfill and abide by a minimum list of Covid-19 health and safety protocols. We suggest the following base protocols for ECD centres to abide by in order to open their doors: Work desks are distanced according to the 1m guideline; Mandatory cloth masks or face shields for … [Read more...] about Open Early Childhood Development Centres under Level 3 Lockdown
Proposed NMB ward demarcation will further marginalize Northern Areas
Dear MyPE The nonsensical ward demarcation proposals for Nelson Mandela Bay by the Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB) will divide communities in the Northern Areas and further compromise service delivery in these already marginalized wards. The proposals from the demarcation board seek to change existing ward boundaries dramatically. The DA strongly objects to the irrational proposals by the Board which seeks to divide the community of Helenvale (Ward 13). This move is in direct … [Read more...] about Proposed NMB ward demarcation will further marginalize Northern Areas
IPID allegedly pulls investigators from task team probing top police officials
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) has written to acting Independent Police Investigate Directorate (IPID) executive director, Patrick Setshedi, demanding urgent clarity on allegations that the police watchdog has pulled two investigators from a special task team probing corruption allegations against high ranking police officials, including the former police commissioner, Kgomotso Phahlane. The investigators were reportedly also told to hand their dockets on these investigations over … [Read more...] about IPID allegedly pulls investigators from task team probing top police officials
