What would YOU do if the projected job losses FAR exceed the current death rate? Dear MyPE In a presentation to the Standing Committee on Finance, the National Treasury revealed that it projects between 3 and 7 million job losses as a result of a protracted lockdown. This is a staggering prediction, far worse than anyone previously thought. It is becoming increasingly likely that the human, social and economic cost of this protracted lockdown will be far worse than previously considered, and … [Read more...] about Treasury predicts between 3 and 7 million jobs will be lost
Letters to the Editor
How will Tourism sector will be assisted to prevent further job losses?
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) will submit Parliamentary questions to Finance Minister, Tito Mboweni, to enquire about the implications for the Tourism sector in the short, medium and long term following his statement on 24 April 2020 that there will “not be much tourism that will be happening for a while. So, it would not make sense to allocate funds towards tourism during a period when tourism is not taking place,”. This is particularly relevant considering that he stated that … [Read more...] about How will Tourism sector will be assisted to prevent further job losses?
Read ’em and Weep
These were the DA’s level 4 lockdown proposals to save lives and livelihoods Dear MyPE On Monday, Democratic Alliance (DA) Leader, John Steenhuisen, submitted the Party’s inputs on the draft regulations of the risk-adjusted level 4 Covid-19 lockdown to the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, and Trade and Industry Minister, Ebrahim Patel. The DA welcomed Government’s decision to ease the hard lockdown from level 5 to level 4, in … [Read more...] about Read ’em and Weep
Level 4: Disastrous for livelihoods
Dear MyPE Ultimately, there is not enough to distinguish lockdown Level 4 from Level 5. This will be disastrous for millions of lives and livelihoods. Government has essentially smuggled through an extension of the hard lockdown under the guise of easing restrictions. If government had gone with the DA’s Smart Lockdown proposal, more of the economy could have been opened without compromising safety. Government’s approach is unnecessarily blunt and restrictive, with simply no … [Read more...] about Level 4: Disastrous for livelihoods
PAIA application regarding drought disaster funding in NMB
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) has launched a Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) application relating to the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality’s drought mitigation projects funded by the R200 million it received in Municipal Disaster Recovery Grant (MDRG) Funding. The funding was received in the 2018/19 financial year and not a single cent has been spent to mitigate the water crisis, even though the average dam level of the City’s main supply dams stands at 22%. The … [Read more...] about PAIA application regarding drought disaster funding in NMB
Charges laid against NMB Speaker for contravening Disaster Management Regulations
Dear MyPE Today, 1 May 2020, I laid criminal charges against the Speaker of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, Cllr Buyelwa Mafaya, for contravening the Disaster Management Regulations and essentially spreading fake news. The charges are in relation to contravening the Disaster Management Regulations specifically as they pertain to the publishing of statements with the intention to deceive. On 30 April 2020, the Speaker sent a directive to all councillors advising that they will now … [Read more...] about Charges laid against NMB Speaker for contravening Disaster Management Regulations
Who is footing the bill for Cuban doctor programme?
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) calls on the Department of Health to clarify the true cost of the Cuban doctors’ deployment which is said to be nearly R440 million as well as who will be footing the bill? Minister of Health, Dr Zweli Mkhize, attempted to explain the rationale for obtaining foreign aid during a press conference last night however many questions remain unanswered. Chief among these is where this R440 million will be coming from and whether this is a justifiable use … [Read more...] about Who is footing the bill for Cuban doctor programme?
DA to challenge government’s race-based Covid relief for SMMEs in court
Dear MyPE The DA has given the Minister for Small Business Development, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, until 17:00 today, Wednesday 29 April 2020, to clarify her statements regarding the use of B-BBEE as evaluating criteria for government’s SMME Debt Relief Fund. If she does not respond satisfactorily by this deadline, the DA will take legal steps to ensure that all South Africans are treated equally in qualifying for government’s Covid-19 relief measures. This follows the minister’s about-turn … [Read more...] about DA to challenge government’s race-based Covid relief for SMMEs in court
Saddened to say “Bye Red Location Cultural Precinct”
The Red Location Museum and Precinct is being stripped like ants would strip a carcass Dear MyPE If there is any politician, official or community member still hoping and thinking that the Red Location Cultural Precinct will be restored, just letting you know that I have personally given up. Red Location is the historic place where I was personally challenged by residents during an Apartheid State of Emergency Era to move into the township, and where I'm still living. What is happening … [Read more...] about Saddened to say “Bye Red Location Cultural Precinct”
Level 4 Lockdown
DA proposes wider opening of the economy Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) has today submitted our comments to Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma and Trade & Industry Minister Ebrahim Patel in response to their request for comments around the Draft Framework for Sectors – Level 4 only – of their risk-adjusted strategy. We submitted two documents, one responding to their Level 4 proposals (including two attachments) and the other to … [Read more...] about Level 4 Lockdown
Tabling of emergency budget welcomed
Dear MyPE On 28 March 2020, a day after Moody’s had downgraded South Africa’s credit rating to junk and the Covid-19 had started wreaking havoc in the economy, the Democratic Alliance (DA) called for the tabling of a new emergency budget. This was necessary because none of the revenue and growth assumptions on which the February budget was based were still valid. Revenue and growth projections had collapsed. We, therefore, welcome the announcement by Minister of Finance, Tito Mboweni, … [Read more...] about Tabling of emergency budget welcomed
School Nutrition Plan funds and supplies must be used to feed the children
Dear MyPE Thousands of learners in the Eastern Cape have relied on the School Nutrition Programme (SNP) for, in many cases, what has been the only meal they receive in a day. In extraordinary times, we need to take extra ordinary action to ensure that parents are able to feed their children, as opposed to listening to their cries of hunger. Since the closure of schools amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of learners have not had the opportunity to receive a meal through the SNP … [Read more...] about School Nutrition Plan funds and supplies must be used to feed the children
Long term strengthening of police service in Eastern Cape needed
Dear MyPE There is a dire shortage of manpower within the Eastern Cape South African Police Service (SAPS) which needs to be supplemented by the urgent recruitment of police reservists once the lockdown is lifted. During a virtual safety and liaison portfolio committee meeting this week, the committee was informed that only 332 reservists were currently eligible for call up. Reservist numbers have been declining for years. In the 2015/16 financial year, there were 2017 reservists in … [Read more...] about Long term strengthening of police service in Eastern Cape needed
Smart Lockdown Easing Plan Welcomed
Dear MyPE The DA welcomes the announcement by President Ramaphosa to control the spread of the coronavirus going forward by adopting what we have called a “Smart Lockdown” model. This phased, risk-adjusted model, whereby restrictions are lifted as and when the data suggests it is safe, is critical to protecting precious jobs and ensuring that the livelihood of millions of South Africans is saved. The DA has called for precisely this approach in our Smart Lockdown Plan, released ten days … [Read more...] about Smart Lockdown Easing Plan Welcomed
Crucial lockdown questions needing answers
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) notes that there is growing and broad agreement on a gradual return to economic activity, and ahead of President Ramaphosa’s address to the nation this evening, the DA respectfully puts forward the following questions, requests, and suggestions which should be addressed in his speech. I have a virtual meeting scheduled with the President for 16:30 today, and I will put these questions to him directly. Furthermore, we have today sent the President … [Read more...] about Crucial lockdown questions needing answers
