Daars 'n Trein Dear MyPE The tabling of the Appropriation Bill in the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature today made it abundantly clear that its full steam ahead for the Eastern Cape Gravy Train, even if the tracks are heading straight over the fiscal cliff. South Africa’s economy is in recession, with the weakest annual growth rate since the global financial crisis. The Eastern Cape is haemorrhaging jobs, with the highest unemployment rate in the country. Businesses are closing. … [Read more...] about Full steam ahead for EC Gravy Train, despite fiscal cliff
Letters to the Editor
Kobus Botha sworn in as newest Eastern Cape Legislature member
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance Legislature team welcomes Kobus Botha, who was officially sworn in as a DA member of the sixth term of the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature this afternoon, 5 March 2020. Kobus previously served as a member of the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature during the fifth term, and returns to the position of MPL, having served as a councillor in Nelson Mandela Bay since the 2019 elections, up until yesterday. As an experienced member of the Provincial … [Read more...] about Kobus Botha sworn in as newest Eastern Cape Legislature member
Minister Sisulu appoints disgraced Gugile Nkwinti
Some Familiar Names in new Advisory Committee of rogues Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) has learnt that Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation, Lindiwe Sisulu, has hired ex-Rural Development and Land Reform Minister Gugile Nkwinti as Chairperson of a newly established Ministerial Advisory Committee on Water Services. By invoking S76(1) of the Water Service Act, Sisulu is able to bypass Ministerial Handbook staff limits and continue to stack her political deck by … [Read more...] about Minister Sisulu appoints disgraced Gugile Nkwinti
Preparations for Coronavirus must be prioritised
COVID-19 - Things just got real Dear MyPE The Eastern Cape is ill prepared to deal with a potential Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak, and drastic steps need to be taken to prevent the virus from running rampant through the province. Yesterday, 4 March 2020, the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature was informed that the province’s hospitals do not have sufficient capacity in terms of isolation wards and ventilation facilities. Today the first official case of Covid-19 in South Africa has … [Read more...] about Preparations for Coronavirus must be prioritised
Drought Declaration: Finally
DA welcomes declaration of national drought disaster Dear MyPE Following sustained pressure from the Democratic Alliance (DA) the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has finally gazetted and declared a national drought disaster. While the DA is pleased by this long-overdue declaration, it is not, however where government’s work stops. The DA reiterates our call for the following interventions: The provision of a temporary jobs … [Read more...] about Drought Declaration: Finally
Gqeberha – NO to Gqeberha Name Change
Reject the Eastern Cape Geographical Name Change Committee Dear MyPE, I have just seen in the Herald that the Eastern Cape Geographical Names Committee has rejected the objections to the Port Elizabeth name change to Gqeberha. Well, Eastern Cape Geographical Names Committee, I REJECT YOU! All citizens should simply refuse to acknowledge or support the name change and continue to focus on the more pressing matters affecting our (once beautiful) city. Sincerely, Port Elizabethan for … [Read more...] about Gqeberha – NO to Gqeberha Name Change
SA is fast running out of money
Eastern Cape budget must speak to current financial crisis we are facing Dear MyPE The country is officially in recession and is fast running out money. The province is facing massive financial squeeze and we cannot waste a single cent on non-core business. Last year we heard a lot of promises about putting austerity measures in place, instead the government has found it impossible to save money or to reign in the spending of departments. Tomorrow’s budget speech by Finance MEC, … [Read more...] about SA is fast running out of money
Stop pension funds going to Eskom
DA consulting lawyers Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) is consulting our lawyers on our legal options to stop the ANC government from using pension funds to bail out Eskom. The DA will do everything in our power to stop this from happening - even if we have to go to the highest court in the land. Eskom is a big, black pit that is incapable of delivering secure and stable energy to South Africans. It is unconscionable that President Ramaphosa would pander to the ideas of trade … [Read more...] about Stop pension funds going to Eskom
Eskom should start advertising today
That is if Ramaphosa is serious about power stations sale Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomes President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement on Tuesday that he is open to the idea of selling some Eskom power stations to private investors. While addressing the South African National Editors Forum (Sanef) yesterday, President Ramaphosa said that selling off Eskom power stations “will help the local communities in those towns [where Eskom power stations are sold to private investors … [Read more...] about Eskom should start advertising today
Police applauded for arresting reckless NMB driver
Speedy Arrest After Viral Video Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance applauds the South African Police Service for the speedy arrest of a 25-year-old individual after a viral video surfaced of reckless driving along Beach Road in Nelson Mandela Bay. This follows after I, together with DA Ward 2 Councillor, Renaldo Gouws, opened a case at the Humewood Police Station late on Monday afternoon [Case no CAS 27/3/2020]. The viral video, which has been circulating on social media since … [Read more...] about Police applauded for arresting reckless NMB driver
Nqaba Bhanga steps down as MPL
Bhanga to stand as NMB Mayoral Candidate Dear MyPE Today, Wednesday 4 March 2020, I have submitted my resignation to the Speaker of the Eastern Cape Legislature, Helen Sauls-August, and will be stepping down as a Member of the Legislature with immediate effect, in order to stand as the Democratic Alliance’s mayoral candidate for Nelson Mandela Bay. Following my resignation from the Legislature, I will be sworn in as a councillor and will be rejoining the Democratic Alliance’s Nelson … [Read more...] about Nqaba Bhanga steps down as MPL
Forced sterilisation
DA calls on Government to act on Commission for Gender Equality’s recommendations Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomes the release of the Commission for Gender Equality’s (CGE) investigation report into the forced sterilisation of women living with HIV/Aids in South Africa. The report was presented to the portfolio committee on women, youth, and persons with disabilities today. The report, which investigated 48 complaints across 15 hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, found … [Read more...] about Forced sterilisation
Recession
Economy needs freeing from the dead-weight of a failing state Dear MyPE South Africa’s slide into economic recession following a 2019 4th quarter 1.4% GDP contraction, is largely a consequence of the government’s failure to give South Africans their freedom from Eskom, continued bailouts to zombie SOEs and unsustainable levels of debt growth. ‘Economic tinkering’ is not a reform strategy. What South Africa urgently needs is bold structural reforms that will drive competition and … [Read more...] about Recession
Case opened against reckless driver along NMB Beachfront
Rental Car Used for Dangerous Driving Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance has opened a case of reckless and negligent driving against the driver of a white Polo, who was caught on video driving dangerously along Beach Road, in the early hours of Monday morning, 2 March 2020. Yesterday afternoon I, together with DA Ward 2 Councillor, Renaldo Gouws, opened a case at the Humewood Police Station. The viral video, which has been circulating on social media since yesterday, shows the driver … [Read more...] about Case opened against reckless driver along NMB Beachfront
Horror Bus Accident Claims 22 Lives
DA saddened and outraged by horror EC bus accident Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance is both extremely saddened but also outraged by the news of a horror bus accident that has claimed at least 21 lives in Centane today, 2 March 2020. The bus, which was apparently travelling along a gravel road from Chebe to Butterworth, was reportedly transporting 79 people, most of whom were pensioners who were going to town to collect their social grants. Instead, the bus left the gravel road … [Read more...] about Horror Bus Accident Claims 22 Lives
