DA calls on Military Ombudsman to investigate Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) strongly condemns [the actions depicted in] videos making the rounds on social media of South African National Defence Force (SANDF) members forcing civilians, who allegedly did not abide by the lockdown regulations, to do squats and push-ups. There are also videos emerging of SANDF members physically abusing people who allegedly did not abide by the regulations. This behaviour is disgusting and the DA … [Read more...] about Abuse by SANDF disgusting
Letters to the Editor
Are you STILL confused by Mini Circles?
I am the Guy that you in your silver Mercedes hooted at Dear MyPE, I would like to remind driver’s that Newton Park has Mini Circles. These are to be treated as 4 way stops, in the sense that the person crossing the yield line first, has right of way. Vehicles are also to slow down before entering the Mini Circle. For an explanation with diagrams, please see https://circles.org.za/r2.html. The other morning at the Mini Circle situated at Worraker Street and Third Avenue, I (vehicle 2) … [Read more...] about Are you STILL confused by Mini Circles?
And What About The Homeless?
NMB must increase venues for homeless shelters during Covid-19 pandemic Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Eastern Cape has written to Nelson Mandela Bay’s Acting City Manager, Noxolo Nqwazi, to urgently increase the venues for homeless shelters and explain the process followed to decide on current venues. The DA is determined to do all we can to ensure the safety of our residents at this time of national crisis. I have also asked the DA Shadow MEC for Social Development, … [Read more...] about And What About The Homeless?
It appears the the Coronavirus may be racist
DA opposes race-based criteria for Tourism Support fund Dear MyPE The Department of Tourism announced on its website that a Tourism Relief Fund of R200 million has been made available to assist Small, Medium and Micro-sized Enterprises (SMMEs) in the tourism and hospitality sector that are under economic pressure due to the new travel restrictions during the Covid-19 lockdown. Although the Democratic Alliance (DA) supports the need for such a fund, we vehemently oppose the “delivery … [Read more...] about It appears the the Coronavirus may be racist
BEE NOT a Factor for Lockdown funding
DA welcomes rejection of race-based criteria for funding during national lockdown Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomes the rejection by Government of the absurd proposal by the Department of Small Business Development to link SMME-funding during the national lockdown to race-based ownership. This issue has caused mass panic in the business community across South Africa due to a leaked document from the department. This is why the DA wrote to Minister Patel on 20 March 2019 … [Read more...] about BEE NOT a Factor for Lockdown funding
SANDF Deployment Welcomed
DA welcomes lockdown and SANDF deployment to combat the spread of COVID-19 Dear MyPE The DA welcomes the President’s announcement this evening of a nationwide lockdown and the deployment of the South African National Defence Force. These measures are of critical importance in our efforts to combat the spread of the Coronavirus through our communities and contain, as much as is possible, future COVID-19 infections. We also welcome the announcement of a Solidarity Fund to support the … [Read more...] about SANDF Deployment Welcomed
Bank’s Business Loan Payment Holiday Welcomed
All banks should match Standard Bank’s business loan payment holiday Dear MyPE The announcement by Standard Bank of a 3 month payment holiday on all up-to-date business loans is very welcome. The DA calls on all other banks to match this relief intervention as soon as possible. The DA has called for a loan forbearance programme since the national disaster was declared, and we are pleased that this request has been heeded. We now need to see this rolled out by all other banks and … [Read more...] about Bank’s Business Loan Payment Holiday Welcomed
COVID-19 Debt Relief Fund and Business Resilience Facility
DA seeks clarity on SMME debt relief and resilience measures Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomes the establishment of a Debt Relief Fund and Business Resilience Facility in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic, but we require clarity on important aspects. We will be writing to Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni to request clarification and elaboration from her office on what the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) means that “…the applicant must demonstrate direct link of … [Read more...] about COVID-19 Debt Relief Fund and Business Resilience Facility
For the survival of SMMEs we propose:
NMB needs plan to assist economy during Covid-19 pandemic Dear MyPE The devastating impact of Covid-19 is felt around the world and Nelson Mandela Bay is no exception to the rule. Now more than ever the municipality needs to assist where we can to ensure that our economy survives this turbulent time. Local businesses are the hardest hit and the latest restraint on trade on restaurants, pubs, and clubs, in which they cannot trade after 18:00, could potentially have a massive negative … [Read more...] about For the survival of SMMEs we propose:
One Way to Free up Billions for the Fight Against Coronavirus
Liquidate SAA so that billions can go towards Covid-19 Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) has written to the South African Airways (SAA) Business Rescue Practitioners, Les Matuson and Siviwe Dongwana, to urge them to immediately apply to court to liquidate SAA. They must do so in terms of section 141. (2)(a)(ii) of the Companies Act in order to prevent further wasteful bailouts of SAA that are desperately needed to fight the Covid-19 pandemic in South Africa. Section 132.(3) of the … [Read more...] about One Way to Free up Billions for the Fight Against Coronavirus
Innovative ideas to combat Covid-19
Coronavirus: DA calls for subsidies, a suspension of BEE and other measures to protect industry, businesses and the public Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) has made a commitment to offering innovative ideas for Government to combat Covid-19. As such, I have written to Trade and Industry Minister, Ibrahim Patel, to submit urgent steps that will act as an economic buffer to the incredible impact that the virus will have on businesses in South Africa, especially those in the retail, … [Read more...] about Innovative ideas to combat Covid-19
What we Want. Will we get it?
DA unveils plan to ensure a safer NMB Dear MyPE The inability of Nelson Mandela Bay’s ANC-led coalition of corruption government to ensure the safety of its municipal buildings has led to buildings being targeted by thieves and vandals. Today, 19 March 2020, I was joined by DA Eastern Cape Provincial Leader, Cllr Nqaba Bhanga, and DA NMB Caucus Leader, Cllr Jonathan Lawack, in conducting an oversight inspection at the Bethesldorp Metro Police Station in Chatty, Port Elizabeth. The … [Read more...] about What we Want. Will we get it?
More economic support needed after restaurant restrictions
DA proposal on UIF reprieve approved Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomes the government’s positive response to one of our proposals, allowing businesses to skip Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) payments for the coming months, and expanding UIF coverage to better protect affected workers. Small and medium enterprises pay tens of thousands of rands to the UIF and this reprieve will be valuable cash flow support for these businesses during this crisis. Even so, South Africa … [Read more...] about More economic support needed after restaurant restrictions
DNA Labs Crisis
DA calls for Parliament’s first urgent online committee meeting to address crisis Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) will write to the chairperson of the police committee, Ms. Tina Joemat-Pettersson, to request an urgent online committee meeting with the Minister of Police, Bheki Cele, and the South African Police Services’ (SAPS) supply chain management team. This follows reports that DNA samples at South Africa’s two main criminal forensic science laboratories are piling up at an … [Read more...] about DNA Labs Crisis
EDITOR: Tell me if YOU Notice This Happening
All DA political activity paused, and we call for other parties to follow suit Dear MyPE In the face of increasing transmission risk of the Covid-19 virus, the Democratic Alliance (DA) has taken the decision across the country to pause all political activity which involves human-to-human contact or close proximity between people. This pause, implying the cessation of party events and ground activity, is necessary to protect DA members and activists, and to avoid any chance of transmission … [Read more...] about EDITOR: Tell me if YOU Notice This Happening
