Dear MyPE The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality is facing Labour Court action, and a possible fine of R1.5-million, after pushing through an employment equity plan that the Department of Labour has found to be non-compliant. This despite numerous warnings from the Democratic Alliance that the plan was substandard and needed to be reworked. The municipal directorate for corporate services tabled its Employment Equity plan in October last year. Earlier that month, before its submission, … [Read more...] about NMB Employment Equity plan falls short, could result in R1.5-million fine
Letters to the Editor
70 000 objections to NHI Bill indicate the need to extend public participation process
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) has, following extensive engagements with members of various communities, civil society groups and other interested parties, come to the conclusion that the month that Parliament initially gave for public comments is simply inadequate. The party has received over 70 000 objections to NHI from ordinary South Africans. This shows how strongly citizens object to the plan that will ultimately cripple the health system and further burden us with even more … [Read more...] about 70 000 objections to NHI Bill indicate the need to extend public participation process
Only 538 provincial traffic law enforcement officers employed to cover entire province
Dear MyPE There needs to be more law enforcement officers on the Eastern Cape Roads to curb the spiraling death toll that is sweeping through the province, claiming the lives of loved ones. The latest data provided by the Department of Transport has revealed that just 538 law enforcement officers are employed to patrol the entire province’s provincial road network. According to the Transport MEC, Weziwe Tikana, the current ratio of law enforcement officers is one official for every 1553 … [Read more...] about Only 538 provincial traffic law enforcement officers employed to cover entire province
A government for the future
The following remarks were delivered today by Democratic Alliance (DA) Leader, Mmusi Maimane, at a visit to an eco-friendly plastic road in Jeffrey's Bay, Kouga. Maimane was joined by DA Federal Chairperson, Athol Trollip, and Kouga Executive Mayor, Horatio Hendricks: My fellow South Africans If we want to build a modern, resilient country that is able to adapt to the challenges of our fast-changing world, then we have to make sure we remain future-focused. We cannot live in the past and … [Read more...] about A government for the future
NMBM integrated security systems – Afrisec sets the record straight again in the best interest of the citizens of Port Elizabeth, the Metro and Afrisec
Dear MyPE Since the end of 2016 a number of untrue and unfounded allegations were published in respect of Afrisec and specifically regarding a civil action instituted by the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality (“the Municipality”) against Afrisec during October 2016. This action is currently still pending. Afrisec responded to these allegations in The Herald of 11 January 2017. Afrisec is aware of the fact that the aforesaid action is still pending and therefore sub judice. … [Read more...] about NMBM integrated security systems – Afrisec sets the record straight again in the best interest of the citizens of Port Elizabeth, the Metro and Afrisec
The wheels of the IPTS busses are falling off due to political meddling
Dear MyPE Today the Democratic Alliance conducted oversight at the Integrated Public Transport System (IPTS) bus Depot in Port Elizabeth and met with members of the Board of Directors of Spectrum Alert, the company managing the IPTS on behalf of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. The Democratic Alliance is proud of the fact that while we were in government we were able to operationalize the “still born” IPTS system, after years of delays by the previous government and billions of Rands … [Read more...] about The wheels of the IPTS busses are falling off due to political meddling
SAPS irregular expenditure increases by almost 3000%
Dear MyPE On Wednesday, in a presentation to Parliament’s Committee on Police, the Auditor-General (A-G) revealed that irregular expenditure at the South African Police Services (SAPS) increased from R33 million in the last financial year, to R996 million for the 2018/19 financial year. This is a 2918% increase in expenditure, which was not in accordance with any SAPS requirements or any applicable legislation. In light of the release of the 2018/19 crime stats on Thursday, it now is … [Read more...] about SAPS irregular expenditure increases by almost 3000%
SAPS is losing the battle against Gender-Based Violence, murder
Dear MyPE The release of the annual crime statistics for 2018/2019 today is serious cause for alarm as it paints a bleak picture of chaos in the country’s frontline law enforcement agency, which is losing the battle against crime. Of particular concern is the murder rate which is the highest it has been in 10 years, with an average of 57.5 people being murdered a day in South Africa, and a murder rate which has increased by 3.4%. The police are also losing the battle against gender-based … [Read more...] about SAPS is losing the battle against Gender-Based Violence, murder
Eastern Cape crime stats show police are losing the war in a brutal, violent society
Dear MyPE The latest Eastern Cape crime statistics highlight what a brutal and violent society we are living in, where we are haunted by the fear of the criminal element and our general feeling of the lack of safety. We are losing our moral values and basic humanity. There is no longer respect for human life, with people engaging in senseless and brutal crimes. Criminals clearly no longer fear being caught. We need to rebuild the pillars of society, and this means a new form of … [Read more...] about Eastern Cape crime stats show police are losing the war in a brutal, violent society
No DNA Record for 46 727 convicted sex offenders
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) has today written to the Minister of Police, Bheki Cele, requesting the urgent prioritisation of the tabling of the Draft Criminal Law (Forensic Procedures) Bill. This piece of legislation presents an immediate step that can be taken in our fight against Gender Based Violence in South Africa, by providing the mechanisms needed to ensure repeat offenders are incarcerated speedily and effectively. This Bill will allow for DNA samples to continue to be … [Read more...] about No DNA Record for 46 727 convicted sex offenders
Dr Beyers Naude water crisis referred to the SAHRC
Dear MyPE The refusal by the Dr Beyers Naude Local Municipality to supply water tankers to areas that are cut off from water due to today’s scheduled Eskom power outage is a violation of the basic human right to water. On 26 August the municipality issued a notice advising the communities of Graaff-Reinet, Aberdeen, Nieu-Bethesda and Klipplaat of an Eskom outage scheduled from 06h00 to 18h30 on 10 September 2019. On 4 September the Municipal Manager issued a second notice advising the … [Read more...] about Dr Beyers Naude water crisis referred to the SAHRC
Economic Assessment report mauls Ramaphosa’s ‘Credit Bill’
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance can finally reveal that our long held view that the recently passed ‘Debt Relief Bill’ will be a devastating blow to low income South Africans, is entirely correct after the Department of Trade & Industry (DTI) finally released the 112 page Socio-Economic Impact Assessment Study (SEIAS) into the Bill. The DA maintains that the biggest winner from this Bill will be loan sharks as South Africans will now be forced into their open and waiting arms. The … [Read more...] about Economic Assessment report mauls Ramaphosa’s ‘Credit Bill’
R198 million municipal electricity debt placing industry at risk in Enoch Mgijima Municipality
Dear MyPE The Enoch Mgijima Municipality owes Eskom over R198 million in debt and has been unable to maintain a payment arrangement entered into with the State-Owned Utility in November last year, as its debt has escalated. Keeping the power on is critical to keeping people in jobs. The Democratic Alliance is fighting tooth and nail to put Enoch Mgijima back on track. As part of this plan, the DA is calling for urgent intervention, with the immediate ringfencing of finances collected … [Read more...] about R198 million municipal electricity debt placing industry at risk in Enoch Mgijima Municipality
The number of police reservists has declined by 86% since 2010
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) can reveal that the number of police reservists has dropped by 86% since 2010. In response to a DA parliamentary question, the Police Commissioner revealed that the number of police reservists have declined to a shocking 8 908 from 63 592 nine years ago. In a country currently battling with unprecedented levels of Gender Based Violence and violent civil unrest - it is unconscionable that the Government has overseen such a dramatic decline in the … [Read more...] about The number of police reservists has declined by 86% since 2010
Resolve the impending crisis in the Foster Care system Minister Zulu
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) is appalled, disappointed, but not surprised, by the failure of the Department of Social Development (DSD) that led to the backlog in the South African foster care system. The DSD this week made a presentation to the Portfolio Committee on Social Development about the state of the foster care system, where the crucial question was the backlog of foster care orders. It was revealed that by November 2019, there will be over 128 00 orders that will … [Read more...] about Resolve the impending crisis in the Foster Care system Minister Zulu
