Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance is alarmed by a voice clip circulating in the Eastern Cape which states that Emergency Medical Services in the province will down tools from tomorrow (Wednesday, 11 December 2019). If the proposed strike of EMS personnel goes ahead, the Department will have blood on its hands as a result of its administrative failures and lack of concern for its own staff. The DA understands that the proposed illegal strike is as a result of the failure of the … [Read more...] about Proposed EMS strike could cause untold harm to EC residents
Letters to the Editor
Today we stand in front of a different ruin to Cyril
The following remarks were made today by DA Leader, John Steenhuisen MP, outside Eskom’s Megawatt Park in Johannesburg. Steenhuisen was joined by DA Gauteng Caucus Leader, Solly Msimanga MPL, DA Gauteng Chairperson, Mike Moriarty MPL, and Public Enterprises Spokesperson, Ghaleb Cachalia MP: Fellow South Africans, Yesterday evening Cyril Ramaphosa’s ANC government once again made history, albeit for the wrong reasons, as Eskom announced it would implement Stage 6 rolling blackouts for the … [Read more...] about Today we stand in front of a different ruin to Cyril
Massive reservist decline is a blow to community safety
Dear MyPE The number of reservists in the Eastern Cape SAPS, has declined to a third of what it used to be, resulting in a massive blow to community safety in the province. The Department of Safety and Liaison, together with SAPS in the Eastern Cape, are failing to take bold measures to ensure that we recruit police reservists to beef up the war against crime. There are thousands of volunteers out there. Let’s harness the energy of the whole of society, working together to restore … [Read more...] about Massive reservist decline is a blow to community safety
The writing is on the wall for Eskom and our economy
Dear MyPE Eskom is implementing stage 4 loadshedding until 6am tomorrow. COO Jan Oberholzer says this is due to the fact that there has been no proper maintenance over the past ten years. Despite the dire warnings, the writing on the wall, the increased tariffs, the failed interventions, all plans have failed. South Africans in all walks of life are carrying this burden. Businesses are buckling because of this. Our key public enterprises are clearly unable to deliver public goods. … [Read more...] about The writing is on the wall for Eskom and our economy
Immediate action needed to resolve electricity crisis
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) has today written to the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Gwede Mantashe, demanding that he take immediate steps to address the worsening electricity crisis in our country. With Eskom having announced stage 4 loadshedding, the Minister must prioritize procuring alternative sources of electricity and opening the grid to independent power producers (IPPs). Among the primary causes of Eskom's problems is the fact that not a single generation … [Read more...] about Immediate action needed to resolve electricity crisis
Parliament and Public Works must stop the blame shifting and pay their Eskom debts
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) has taken note of reports indicating that Parliament owes Eskom R17 000 in debt. Parliamentary Spokesperson, Moloto Mothapo have since denied that Parliament owes Eskom, arguing that Parliament’s buildings, which include the parliamentary precinct and villages that accommodate Members of Parliament in Cape Town, are under the management of the Department of Public Works. Essentially stating that Public Works and not Parliament has an electricity account … [Read more...] about Parliament and Public Works must stop the blame shifting and pay their Eskom debts
Unemployed youth could help overburdened teachers
Dear MyPE Unemployed youth, that are appropriately qualified in Maths, Science and Languages, could assist with a tutoring programme in the Eastern Cape, along the same lines as in the Western Cape. These tutors would provide much needed assistance by helping schools battling with teacher shortages and overcrowded classrooms. These youths could also provide valuable additional tutorage to learners in the Eastern Cape, thus improving on overall learner performance and reducing drop … [Read more...] about Unemployed youth could help overburdened teachers
Concern over escalating crisis at CricketSA
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) has taken note of developments at CricketSA (CSA) over the past number of weeks. While we would never want to involve politics in the daily running of sport organisations, we also cannot sit on the sideline and see one of South Africa’s beloved sports seemingly embroiled in a crisis. It has become abundantly obvious that CSA CEO, Thabang Moroe, is not fit for office, and may not have the necessary aptitude or experience to run the organisation. The DA … [Read more...] about Concern over escalating crisis at CricketSA
Stick to your guns on SAA business rescue, even if it means going against the unions
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) applauds the press release by the DA Member of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, Alf Lees MP, which charts a potential strategy for South African Airways amidst the Business Rescue process. In line with this, we welcome the belated move by President Ramaphosa to place SAA under Business Rescue – better late than never! The DA believes this will, however, herald an upcoming battle with the unions which speaks to a central issue that … [Read more...] about Stick to your guns on SAA business rescue, even if it means going against the unions
Concerns over New Rural Development HOD following theft allegations
Dear MyPE The DA is shocked and outraged by the new appointment of the Head of Department for Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, Siphokazi Ndudane, after theft allegations have come to light against her. Ndudane, the former Deputy Director General of Fisheries at the National Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), was announced as one of four new HODs appointed by Premier Oscar Mabuyane earlier this week. It has now come to light that just five days before the … [Read more...] about Concerns over New Rural Development HOD following theft allegations
The most destructive mayor in Nelson Mandela Bay’s history REMOVED
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomes the removal of the United Democratic Movement’s Mongameli Bobani, as executive mayor of Nelson Mandela Bay. In his fifteen months in office Bobani has been the most destructive mayor that this Metro has ever seen, and has single-handedly run this City into the ground. It comes as no surprise that every other party present voted to remove him. The question still needs to be asked at a national level why UDM leader, Bantu Holomisa, who has a … [Read more...] about The most destructive mayor in Nelson Mandela Bay’s history REMOVED
Intimidation of NMB audit team
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) will write to the Police Commissioner today requesting specialist SAPS protection, a secure working location, and accommodation for the Auditor-General audit team tasked with working in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro. We will also raise this matter in Parliament today, where the A-G is expected to brief the Standing Committee on the Auditor-General. This follows the A-G’s decision on 4 November 2019, to withdraw its audit team at the Metro, after … [Read more...] about Intimidation of NMB audit team
EC Municipalities debt to Eskom surpasses the Billion-rand mark
Dear MyPE As of the 19th of November, the debt owed to Eskom by Eastern Cape municipalities surpassed the R1-billion mark. This growing debt places Eastern Cape municipalities under significant risk of having their power disconnected. In a response to questions for oral reply in the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature today (Wednesday 4 December 2019, the MEC of COGTA, Xolile Nqatha, revealed that, as of 19 November, the collective debt of Eastern Cape municipalities to Eskom was standing … [Read more...] about EC Municipalities debt to Eskom surpasses the Billion-rand mark
Criminal elements in Education Department must be rooted out
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance welcomes the precautionary suspension of the Education Department’s Chief Financial Officer, Jason O’Hara, following allegations of administrative misconduct. However, the Education Portfolio Committee can no longer be kept in the dark on this matter. O’Hara’s suspension follows the arrest of an Education Official last week, who is alleged to have stolen money from the School Nutrition Programme. The DA understands that the suspension is by no means … [Read more...] about Criminal elements in Education Department must be rooted out
Magwa and Majola Tea Estates in financial trouble, again
Dear MyPE The Magwa and Majola Tea Estates are proving to be an ongoing drain on the Eastern Cape’s finances, providing no return for the hundreds of millions of rands of taxpayers’ money that have been sunk into the estates for decades. These tea estates are sucking the lifeblood out of the Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform’s funding, which could be far better spent on supporting drought relief for viable farms. Last week the Eastern Cape Rural Development Agency … [Read more...] about Magwa and Majola Tea Estates in financial trouble, again
