Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomes the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Gwede Mantashe’s draft amendments to electricity regulations to allow for municipalities to establish their own electricity generation capacity. For years, we have been calling on the Government to empower municipalities to procure energy independently. These draft regulations are indeed a step in the right direction and could pave the way towards an energy secure South Africa. In light of him … [Read more...] about Draft regulations on municipal electricity generation welcomed
Letters to the Editor
SARS projects R285bn revenue loss
Dear MyPE South African economy can really be schizophrenic at the best of times. For instance, when the Rand strengthens, an economist whines and when it depreciates yet another learned-patriot-in-economics whinges. It is the same thing with SARS' projected R285bn revenue loss (The Herald, 6 May 2020) as that money wouldn't have made much difference in the lives of the country & general citizenry anyway. For a long while now, the country's resources are directed towards the Politically … [Read more...] about SARS projects R285bn revenue loss
Tourism Recovery Plan one dimensional and devoid of any research and fact
Dear MyPE On Monday, the Department of Tourism presented its Tourism Recovery Plan to Parliament. The Democratic Alliance (DA) was left with more questions than answers as the recovery plan, which the Department claims would use a “risk-adjusted approach”, can only be described as one dimensional and devoid of any proper research. The only immediate proposal is its discriminatory race-based Tourism Relief Fund which will only do the sector more harm than good. Of particular concern to … [Read more...] about Tourism Recovery Plan one dimensional and devoid of any research and fact
Urgent investigation needed into police station shutdown
Dear MyPE There needs to be a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the closure of the New Brighton police station earlier this week, after a member tested positive for the Coronavirus. There are serious questions that need to be answered. I have therefore submitted parliamentary questions to the MEC of Safety and Liaison, Weziwe Tikana-Gxothiwe. These relate to the time between when the station commander found out that a member tested positive and when the station … [Read more...] about Urgent investigation needed into police station shutdown
What is our right to health?
The public health crisis of Covid-19, requiring citizens to be vigilant about hygiene measures like hand sanitizing, has not only turned the spotlight on the basic human right of access to healthcare, but also on the need for people to take personal responsibility for their health. “If nothing else, the vulnerability to Covid-19 infection of people with serious underlying medical conditions that are not well-managed, such as respiratory conditions, asthma, diabetes, hypertension, heart … [Read more...] about What is our right to health?
Report on Buffalo City’s food voucher system requested
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) has written to the City Manager of the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM) to request a full report on the Metro's R30 million food voucher system. We have requested that the City Manager, Andile Sihlahla, provide such a report on the processes followed with regards to the food voucher system at the next ordinary council meeting. Over the past few days, disturbing stories have emerged about food relief vouchers allegedly being plundered … [Read more...] about Report on Buffalo City’s food voucher system requested
Government must assist NGOs, not prosecute them
Dear MyPE According to reports NGOs across the country are frustrated by red tape in applying for permits to distribute food while Government is attempting to centralise this function under an incapable state. There have been reports of individuals being arrested and NGOs being harassed by law enforcement officials for handing out food in communities - all because they did not have proper documentation. We are calling on Government to make it as easy as possible for NGOs who are … [Read more...] about Government must assist NGOs, not prosecute them
Calls for urgent directives on essential services permits for self-employed and informal traders
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) will write to Minister of Small Business Development, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, to request that she immediately publish a directive in the Government Gazette on how businesses which are not registered with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) can apply for an official essential services permit during stage 4 of the Covid-19 lockdown. Since the start of the lockdown, self-employed individuals (sole proprietors) and informal traders, … [Read more...] about Calls for urgent directives on essential services permits for self-employed and informal traders
Urgent interventions needed in EC health to save lives during Covid-19 Pandemic
https://youtu.be/OMBzwb0rWVA Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance has a turnaround strategy for the Eastern Cape Health Department’s woeful response, to date, to the Covid-19 pandemic that is sweeping through the province. Today I, accompanied by DA Shadow Minister of Health, Siviwe Gwarube, MP, and DA EC Shadow MEC for Health, Jane Cowley, MPL, unpacked a plan to get the province back on track in combatting the spread of this disease. As of yesterday, the Eastern Cape has had 774 … [Read more...] about Urgent interventions needed in EC health to save lives during Covid-19 Pandemic
Sisulu and and her top aide hit panic button
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) notes Water and Sanitation and Human Settlements Minister, Lindiwe Sisulu’s media statement, released after 21h00 on Saturday evening, 2 May, noting that an urgent decision has been taken to end the term of office of the current interim Amatola Water Board and to appoint legal administrators to manage the Board’s affairs. Interestingly, the Minister noted that decisions taken by the Board would remain valid and in force – including an investigation … [Read more...] about Sisulu and and her top aide hit panic button
City of Cape Town shares best practice to mitigate NMB water crisis
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Nelson Mandela Bay has approached the DA-run City of Cape Town for advice on how to mitigate the water crisis in the Metro. On Thursday, 30 April 2020, I attended a virtual meeting with the chairperson of the DA’s federal council and former Western Cape Premier, Helen Zille, head of the DA’s governance unit, James Selfe, MP, and Deputy Mayor of the City of Cape Town, Alderman Ian Neilson. The Eastern Cape delegation included DA EC Provincial … [Read more...] about City of Cape Town shares best practice to mitigate NMB water crisis
PAIA applications to compel release of Covid-19 provincial data
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) provincial spokespersons on the health portfolio will be submitting Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) applications to the provincial health departments compelling them to release daily, detailed Covid-19 statistics. Of the 9 provinces, only the Western Cape and Gauteng (although in a limited fashion) are releasing daily stats which are broken down into regions, fatalities and most importantly tests conducted. The DA has repeatedly … [Read more...] about PAIA applications to compel release of Covid-19 provincial data
Fire MEC Tikana-Gxotiwe
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance is calling on Premier Oscar Mabuyane to fire Eastern Cape MEC for Transport, Weziwe Tikana-Gxotiwe with immediate effect. The MEC and her Department has been implicated in several instances where public funds have been abused. From the fiasco around the use of the Miorca Lodge belonging to the MEC’s daughter as a quarantine venue and now allegations of improper contracts to host Department of Transport Officials at the lodge for more than a year. There … [Read more...] about Fire MEC Tikana-Gxotiwe
Tourism needs a phased opening up approach to prevent more job losses
Dear MyPE The statement made this week by the Minister of Tourism Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane that the domestic tourism season “will likey only start in December” and that no international tourism would occur this year, is most concerning. Her statement implies that any tourism recovery plan that government may implement will not apply a phased or staggered approach. Unless certain sub-sectors of the travel and tourism sector start opening up soon, there will be nothing left to start in … [Read more...] about Tourism needs a phased opening up approach to prevent more job losses
What about tax relief for working from home?
Dear MyPE Under lockdown conditions, many taxpayers are required to work from home and have already seen a reduction in their earnings as companies deduct pay for days not worked and not covered by available leave balances, or limit the number of days worked. This is creating financial hardship that requires urgent intervention. The Democratic Alliance (DA) will propose changes to the Income Tax Act to allow deductions for home office expenses for all periods worked at home during the … [Read more...] about What about tax relief for working from home?
