DA calls for consistent updates of Covid-19 cases and updates Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) urgently calls on Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize for consistent and regular reporting on new cases of Covid-19. The DA recommends to the Department of Health and the National Institute of Communicable Disease (NICD) that a specific time be set aside for daily and consistent updates on cases and any other Covid-19-related feedback. A particular time of the day can be identified and … [Read more...] about Choose a Specific Time Dr Zweli Mkhize
Letters to the Editor
Health disaster will have devastating consequences for thousands of businesses
DA pledges support, offers proposals for economic support package Dear MyPE Today, I wrote to Minister of Finance, Tito Mboweni, to offer the Democratic Alliance’s full support to him and the National Treasury for the responsibilities they will bear in fighting Covid-19. We have also proposed an economic support package to help small and medium businesses weather the storm over the coming months. We hope these proposals will be seriously considered and that the government will soon … [Read more...] about Health disaster will have devastating consequences for thousands of businesses
Limit Police Minister’s Powers
DA seeks to limit Police Minister’s powers to appoint IPID head Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) will table a Private Members Bill (PMB) to amend the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) Act, in order to limit the powers of the Police Minister to appoint the executive director of the police watchdog. IPID is in a state of complete chaos due to a lack of leadership and political interference. In the past two weeks IPID’s acting Executive Director, Victor Senna, … [Read more...] about Limit Police Minister’s Powers
Chris Hani Water and Sanitation Crisis
DA lays criminal charges against Chris Hani District Municipality Dear MyPE The inability of the Chris Hani District Municipality (CHDM) to address the water and sanitation crisis across the district is criminal and will now be investigated by the South African Police Service (SAPS) On Wednesday, 11 March 2020, I was joined by DA Enoch Mgijima Constituency Leader, Jane Cowley, MPL, in laying criminal charges against the Municipal Manager of the CHDM, Mr Gcobani Mashiyi , at the Komani … [Read more...] about Chris Hani Water and Sanitation Crisis
Ironman Group Responds to COVID-19
Nelson Mandela Bay Ironman Event Postponed Dear MyPE We know that both our athletes and our communities want to be racing; we do too. While The IRONMAN Group’s mission is to provide exceptional, life-changing race experiences for athletes of all levels, from their first step to the finish line, we can only accomplish this by providing the safest possible environment, and safeguarding the citizens of our host communities. COVID-19 has substantially altered the global sports landscape … [Read more...] about Ironman Group Responds to COVID-19
Time to Place Cities Needs First
DA continues fight to save NMB Dear MyPE The office of the Speaker of the Nelson Mandela Bay Council, Cllr Buyelwa Mafaya, today refused to accept our petition calling for a special council meeting and has yet again proved that she is deeply compromised and places the needs of the ANC above the needs of the people of the City. The Democratic Alliance (DA) and other opposition parties in the form of the ACDP, Cope, UDM and Patriotic Alliance (PA) have drawn up a new petition, signed by … [Read more...] about Time to Place Cities Needs First
Coronavirus
DA calls for mandatory self- quarantine period for travelers coming from ‘high risk countries’ Dear MyPE Following the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) declaration of COVID-19 as a pandemic and the increase in the numbers of infected people in South Africa to 17 as of this morning, it is clear that the South African government needs to increase its measures to deal with this virus. The Democratic Alliance (DA) calls on the Minister of Health, Dr Zweli Mkhize, to institute a mandatory … [Read more...] about Coronavirus
Eastern Cape children must learn in the streets
Despite funding being available for ECD centres Dear MyPE Children are running around in the streets while the Department of Social Development is actively blocking people from starting up ECD centres, even though funding is available. ECD centres are critical for our learners entering the foundation phase. Without this their future opportunities are stunted. In response to a parliamentary question, , Social Development MEC Siphokazi Mani-Lusithi, said only 53 743 children of the 925 900 … [Read more...] about Eastern Cape children must learn in the streets
No way Public Protector can stay
After another scathing judgment Court finds she lacks basic knowledge of the law and its application The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) reiterates our call for Public Protector Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane to do the honourable thing and vacate her office. This comes after her CR17 donation report was set aside in yet another scathing judgment, this one by the full bench of the Pretoria High Court. Judge Elias Matojane, who delivered the judgment, said the court found that Mkhwebane not … [Read more...] about No way Public Protector can stay
Major Blows to Investment Stalling Growth
Nelson Mandela Bay needs to become an investment destination Dear MyPE A new government that can turn Nelson Mandela Bay around, restore service delivery and good governance is vital if we are to restore public confidence in the city and attract much-needed investment to the Eastern Cape. The recent announcement that Project Mthambo will be going to Richards Bay and further delays in the relocation of the tank farm from the Port Elizabeth harbour have been major blows to Nelson Mandela … [Read more...] about Major Blows to Investment Stalling Growth
Could We Escape Those Eskom Shackles?
DA launches countrywide effort to free South Africa from Eskom Dear MyPE As loadshedding and rolling blackouts continue today and into this week, once more our country and economy are placed in peril by the failing ANC government and broken Eskom. The smokescreen created by government that Eskom can be saved must immediately be lifted, and the fact must be faced: Eskom is in a death spiral dragging South Africa down with it. Currently, as the ANC government continues to delay and … [Read more...] about Could We Escape Those Eskom Shackles?
Bhanga Sworn In
DA's Bhanga takes up position on NMB Council Dear MyPE Today, 9 March 2020, DA Eastern Cape Provincial Leader, Nqaba Bhanga, was officially sworn in as a member of the Nelson Mandela Bay council and officially rejoined the Democratic Alliance’s Nelson Mandela Bay caucus to stand as the mayoral candidate on Thursday. He has taken up the Proportional Representative position, formerly held by Kobus Botha, who has since returned to serve as a Member of the Eastern Cape Provincial … [Read more...] about Bhanga Sworn In
Self Generation Pipe Dream
Minister Mantashe is delaying IPPs Dear MyPE Minister Gwede Mantashe is delaying mines and municipalities the power to self-generate and procure electricity from independent power producers (IPPs) despite the very evident electricity crisis the country faces. The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) has reportedly indicated that the notice for public participation on section 34 ministerial determinations will only commence in a month’s time. And that the “concurrence” … [Read more...] about Self Generation Pipe Dream
Gqeberha or Port Elizabeth
NMB economy needs a change of government, not a name change https://youtu.be/scQ8eAQewO0 Dear MyPE The economy of Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB) needs a new government and not a new name. The recommendation by the Eastern Cape Geographical Names Committee (ECGNC) to change the name of Port Elizabeth to Gqeberha must be strongly opposed by the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa. I have written to the DA’s Shadow Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Tsepo Mhlongo, MP, … [Read more...] about Gqeberha or Port Elizabeth
Kouga Municipality leads the way in Eastern Cape
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Eastern Cape is incredibly proud of the progress being made in the DA-led Kouga Municipality Dear MyPE Today, 6 March 2020, Kouga Mayor, Horatio Hendricks, delivered his State of the Municipality (SOMA) address in Jeffreys Bay and highligted the success story this municipality has become under a DA government. Since the DA took over government in 2016 Kouga has become financially stable. At the end of the first semester of the current financial year the … [Read more...] about Kouga Municipality leads the way in Eastern Cape
