Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) has taken note of the appointment of Andre de Ruyter as the new Eskom CEO. We congratulate Mr. de Ruyter on his appointment. It is no secret that Eskom has been brought to its knees by almost a decade of weak leadership and mismanagement. With experience in both the private and public sectors, Mr. de Ruyter has a wealth of experience and we implore upon him to use this experience to set Eskom on the right course to recovery. Mr. de Ruyter has an … [Read more...] about New Eskom CEO has a mammoth task ahead of him
Letters to the Editor
Shoprite Hyper Stinks
Dear MyPE I am writing to you to express my utter disgust at the overwhelming stench outside Shoprite Hyper, Greenacres. I have walked past there twice this week, and felt ill both times. It is indescribable. There have been strong urine odours there in the past, but at present it is horrendous. It is as though individuals are doing more than just urinating these days. Where are the health inspectors? Where is the centre management? It is an absolute disgrace, and I daresay a major health … [Read more...] about Shoprite Hyper Stinks
Emergency Medical Services Overtime Scandal
Dear MyPE Emergency Medical Services workers are staying home on leave, but are still being paid overtime, because their names appear on the overtime roster for the month. This shocking revelation has been made by dedicated EMS workers, who are fed up with working their full quota of excess hours, while watching colleagues who sit at home and earn the same overtime hours while doing nothing. This amounts to looting of the public purse. It is believed that more than R5,5 million has … [Read more...] about Emergency Medical Services Overtime Scandal
Save the British and Irish Lions game in NMB
Dear MyPE The inability of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality to sign an agreement to host the British and Irish Lions in 2021 can have a massive negative impact on the economy of and job creation in the City. In the past hosting Springbok test matches at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium has led to an influx of hundreds of millions of rand in the coffers of the Metro. But the inability of the current coalition of corruption government to convene council meetings over the past four … [Read more...] about Save the British and Irish Lions game in NMB
No comprehensive drought plan in place
Dear MyPE There is no comprehensive, interdepartmental plan in place to combat the crippling drought that has gripped the Eastern Cape, as the crisis affecting the province deepens. During a feedback session to the Rural Development and Agrarian Reform portfolio committee on Friday last week, it was revealed that the province has only applied for R643 million in drought assistance from National Treasury, of which R455,3 million has been requested for fodder. This is woefully inadequate, … [Read more...] about No comprehensive drought plan in place
Eastern Cape must clamp down on unroadworthy vehicles to curb road deaths in province
Dear MyPE The Eastern Cape must clamp down on unroadworthy vehicles that are making use of the province’s roads, as these vehicles place the lives of their occupants and those of other road users at risk. This Sunday, 17 November 2019, as we remember the lives lost in road accidents as part of the World Remembrance Day for road traffic victims, the Democratic Alliance is calling on the MEC for Transport, Weziwe Tikana-Gxothiwe, to take action against these unroadworthy vehicles. These … [Read more...] about Eastern Cape must clamp down on unroadworthy vehicles to curb road deaths in province
SAPS spends almost R1bn per year on salaries for senior management
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) can reveal that the South African Police Services (SAPS) spends around R977 899 971 per year on salaries for major generals and brigadiers. This information was revealed in a reply to a DA parliamentary question. It is staggering that R1 billion is being spent on top management at a time when there is a critical shortage of front line police officers at ground level to do the actual work of fighting and investigating crime. Whilst these top cops were … [Read more...] about SAPS spends almost R1bn per year on salaries for senior management
eHailing Drivers Hit Back
Dear MyPE We are drivers and owners of vehicles operating on the eHailing Apps. That is Ubër, Bolt and inDrive. We feel we can no longer keep quiet while we perish. While we lose fathers and mothers of our kids, while we are constant targets of criminal rings in our place of business; in our city and whilst rendering a crucial service to our communities. One death is one too many and one hijack is one too many. Last week alone we had 14 reported hijackings of eHailers. Just two weeks ago … [Read more...] about eHailing Drivers Hit Back
Government pays R2.6 billion bonus to millionaire managers
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) can today reveal that, in the 2018/19 financial year, national and provincial governments spent R2.6 billion of public money on bonuses for cadres and millionaire managers. This includes R628 million spent by the national government, and R1.97 billion spent by provinces. These bonuses are paid to cadres in management positions on top of their average annual salary of R1.4 million per year. In a clear demonstration that the government rewards … [Read more...] about Government pays R2.6 billion bonus to millionaire managers
Church speaks out on sex education
Church leaders in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro have responded to the proposed new sex education curriculum for South African schools saying: The Nelson Mandela Bay Church Leaders Network agrees that the Department of Basic Education (DBE) has a responsibility to develop and teach curriculum containing sex education, because of the concerning numbers of teenage pregnancies, HIV/STD infections and sexual violence experienced by learners. Many learners also come from child-headed households or … [Read more...] about Church speaks out on sex education
Parliamentary task team to save Nelson Mandela Bay from collapse
Dear MyPE The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality is on the verge of collapse. The City has been brought to its knees by the UDM’s Mayor, Cllr Mongameli Bobani, and his coalition of corruption consisting of the UDM, ANC, AIC, PA and the United Front. Since his election as Mayor in September 2018 Nelson Mandela Bay has regressed on all governance, financial and service delivery indicators. The controversial drain cleaning tender awarded in December 2018, commonly known as the ‘Great Drain … [Read more...] about Parliamentary task team to save Nelson Mandela Bay from collapse
Tragic passing of amaXhosa King, Zwelonke Sigcawu
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance in the Eastern Cape is saddened to hear about the sudden, unforeseen passing of amaXhosa king, Mpendulo Zwelonke Sigcawu, and would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, loved ones and the Xhosa nation. King Zwelonke Sigcawu had been king of the amaXhosa since the death of his father, King Xolilizwe Sigcawu, in 2005, and was declared the legitimate king of all amaXhosa in 2010. He was sworn in as king of the amaXhosa nation in Nqadu … [Read more...] about Tragic passing of amaXhosa King, Zwelonke Sigcawu
Which SOE Last Made a Profit in 2011?
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) notes South African Airways’ (SAA) announcement that it plans to cut 944 jobs or about 20% of its workforce to bring costs under control. Given the current revenue shortfalls, efforts by the new management and directors to turn the beleaguered state-owned entity (SOE) around have been nothing but a pipe dream. The national carrier has failed to make a profit since 2011 and came terribly close to defaulting in 2017. SAA is one of many SOEs that are … [Read more...] about Which SOE Last Made a Profit in 2011?
Why Eskom’s System Remains Vulnerable
Dear MyPE Government gave Eskom a R23bn-blank cheque. National Treasury gave Eskom R23-billion in equity from the 2019/20 budget without any conditions or requirements to clean up its act and keep the lights on. This information was gleaned from a reply to a parliamentary question I tabled which also showed that this was the first time such cash injections and government guarantees have been transferred unconditionally. What makes this particularly troubling is that the 2019/20 … [Read more...] about Why Eskom’s System Remains Vulnerable
Detective shortages, training in EC must be prioritised
Dear MyPE I welcome the fact that detective training in the Eastern Cape, with a particular focus on basic fraud investigations, will be prioritised in the 2020/21 financial year. However, along with the upskilling of existing detectives, priority needs to be given to the recruitment of new detectives to bring SAPS up to full strength in this division. The detective division is one of the key pillars in the war against crime, and the vacancy rate needs to be reduced. Every vacant … [Read more...] about Detective shortages, training in EC must be prioritised
