Eastern Cape Premier, Oscar Mabuyane, must break radio silence and share the province’s plans to deal with the Coronavirus outbreak in the Eastern Cape Dear MyPE While the Democratic Alliance welcomes the plans the Premier is putting in place to alleviate the impact of the Covid-19 lockdown on the provincial economy once the lockdown is over, there has been very little forthcoming about what the province is doing to deal with the pandemic from a health perspective over the coming weeks. I … [Read more...] about What’s the Plan, Premier?
Letters to the Editor
Fake News In This Time of Coronavirus Pandemic
Hello Alan I enjoyed your recent editorial comment dated 5th April 2020 regarding the deluge of fake news doing the rounds on social media about COVID19, even if my eyes started watering somewhat by the choice expletives used! Most folks probably fully understand and appreciate the sentiment, though. Bluntness is sometimes the best approach. Just wondering whether this crazy and uncertain time isn't bringing out some of the mentally ill /personality disordered folks among us to spread … [Read more...] about Fake News In This Time of Coronavirus Pandemic
8 Deaths due to “police action” since start of Lockdown
DA calls for strong punishment following IPID report of deaths Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) is horrified by reports of an Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) report which alleges that since the start of the Covid-19 lockdown operation, 2 people have died in police custody and 6 as the result of police action. This staggering figure of 8 deaths in as many days is proof that Police Minister, Bheki Cele's approach of 'skop, skiet and donner' is undeniably harmful … [Read more...] about 8 Deaths due to “police action” since start of Lockdown
My WOW Moment During Covid-19 Lockdown
Dear MyPE Yesterday, Wednesday 1 April, at about 16h30 I noticed a man standing at the top of the Mount Road reservoir, with his car parked in the cul de sac. Remember we are on lock down. I stood in my yard watching (actually - staring at) him until he returned to his vehicle. Before driving off he first stopped outside my gate and asked in a confrontational tone if I had a problem? To which I replied; "Yes," and asked him; "What part of lock down do you not understand"? He … [Read more...] about My WOW Moment During Covid-19 Lockdown
Report SAPS and SANDF Abuse via WhatsApp
DA launches WhatsApp line to report Police and Army abuse and advise the public Dear MyPE Today the Democratic Alliance (DA) launched a dedicated WhatsApp number (067 977 9324) and email address (reportpoliceabuse@da.org.za) where members of the public can report any acts of assault, abuse or bribery by law enforcement officers. They can also send the DA their questions regarding their legal rights during the Covid-19 lockdown. We will use these platforms to advise citizens on their … [Read more...] about Report SAPS and SANDF Abuse via WhatsApp
Potentially Catasrophic SRV Crisis
Water Crisis in Sundays River Valley during Covid-19 Pandemic potentially catastrophic Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) is extremely concerned about the Sunday River Valley Local Municipality’s (SRVLM) lack of urgency around finding a solution to the water crisis in Enon. Residents of certain streets in Enon have been left without water for weeks while the government is calling on all South Africans to regularly wash their hands and pay attention to strict hygiene practices during … [Read more...] about Potentially Catasrophic SRV Crisis
Bend the Knee – Get Fired
If Senzo Mchunu bends the knee before unions and ANC cadres, he must be fired Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) calls on President Cyril Ramaphosa to fire the Minister for Public Service and Administration, Senzo Mchunu if he fails to cut the public wage bill by at least R37.8 billion in the 2020/21 financial year. Mchunu was issued a clear instruction by Finance Minister Tito Mboweni during his February budget: cut the public wage bill by R37.8 billion in 2020/21, by R54.9 billion … [Read more...] about Bend the Knee – Get Fired
Masks Should be Cheaper Now
DTIC adopts DA proposal on zero duty for life saving face masks Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomes the announcement by the International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC), an entity of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) that life saving face masks will be subjected to zero duty on imports into South Africa. This comes after I wrote to Minister Ebrahim Patel on 19 March 2020 requesting him to do so as part of the DA’s 10 'urgent steps' he needed to … [Read more...] about Masks Should be Cheaper Now
Labour Centres should remain open to process flood of UIF claims
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) is calling upon the Department of Employment and Labour to re-open the main labour centres in all nine provinces to deal with the flood of Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) claims that will be submitted as a result of the 21-day lockdown period. On 27 March, the Department indicated that all labour centres would be closed for the duration of the lockdown, and advised members of the public to stop visiting them. Instead, employers and workers were … [Read more...] about Labour Centres should remain open to process flood of UIF claims
Vosloorus killing
DA welcomes swift action by IPID Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomes the arrest of an EMPD officer in connection with the killing of Sibusiso Amos, a 40-year old resident of Vosloorus, following swift action from the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID). This comes after Amos was allegedly shot and killed yesterday by an Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) officer, and a second man, enforcing the Covid-19 lockdown. South Africa is only four days into … [Read more...] about Vosloorus killing
Maybe You Could Have Made it a BIT Stronger?
Feedback on MyPE Article on the Vulnerable in our Community Hi Alan Thanks for your article on MyPE - Have you Killed Anyone Yet? It is good that you have started the conversation. I think the punchline could be a bit stronger though. What can we do? Effectively? Ensure folk in your close and extended network are well! Shop and business owners should continue paying their staff. For once the "no work no pay" relationship must pause. Everyone should continue to pay their … [Read more...] about Maybe You Could Have Made it a BIT Stronger?
SAA on the skids
Alf Lees MP - DA Member of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts Dear MyPE The news that yet another South African Airlines (SAA) CEO, Zuks Ramasia, has resigned is a further indication that SAA cannot be rescued. It must surely be clear that the extension to the end of May 2020 for Les Matuson and Siviwe Dongwana, the business rescue practitioners, to produce a business rescue plan is simply going to delay the inevitable liquidation of SAA. This unprecedented two-month extension … [Read more...] about SAA on the skids
On Cutting the Wage Bill
Government adopts DA proposal for cutting the public wage bill Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomes the news that the government has adopted important aspects of our proposal for cutting the public wage bill. It was reported today that the government has turned its back on its original proposal to cut the wage bill by implementing a blanket freeze on wages across all salary levels in the public service. The DA has long argued against this blunt approach, as it would severely … [Read more...] about On Cutting the Wage Bill
Thanks for making a difference in people’s lives Alan
Through the Algoa FM Big Walk for Cancer Dear Alan Straton This is a note to thank you for helping make the 2019 Algoa FM Big Walk for Cancer the wonderful success that it was. In addition to sharing information with hundreds of thousands of listeners about cancer and the need to live a healthy lifestyle through regular sporting activities and proper diet, the festival attracted a record field of 13 200. The final accounts have been settled and we thank you for helping us raise a total … [Read more...] about Thanks for making a difference in people’s lives Alan
Eastern Cape in the dark regarding the true extent of Coronavirus
Testing Delays Take Their Toll Dear MyPE It is impossible to say to what extent the Coronavirus has truly spread through the Eastern Cape if the latest statistics made available by Premier Oscar Mabuyane are anything to go on. The Premier revealed that, as of Saturday, of the over 35,000 national Coronavirus tests that have been processed, only 77 of those have been for people from the Eastern Cape, 12 of which have been positive. This flies in the face of the National Health … [Read more...] about Eastern Cape in the dark regarding the true extent of Coronavirus
