Dear MyPE Residents of local municipalities serviced by the Amathole District Municipality (ADM) are facing a humanitarian crisis due to the unavailability of water to most parts of the district. The situation in the ADM requires emergency intervention by the Premier of the Eastern Cape, Oscar Mbuyane, and the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Xolile Nqatha, and I have written to them in this regard: the Premier and MEC must respond to allegations of … [Read more...] about Amathole Municipality runs dry
Letters to the Editor
Brian Molefe to repay “golden handshake” millions
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomes the Constitutional Court’s order that Brian Molefe must pay back, to Eskom, millions from the sometimes “pension”, sometimes “golden handshake” payout he received after leaving Eskom in 2017. This comes after the DA challenged the Molefe payout in Court, and after many legal manoeuvers by Molefe, the Constitutional Court dismissed his final leave to appeal against the Pretoria High Court decision that he pays back part of the R30 million he … [Read more...] about Brian Molefe to repay “golden handshake” millions
EC by-election victory confirms growing trust
Dear MyPE Residents of Ward 10 in the Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality yesterday reaffirmed their trust in the Democratic Alliance (DA) after the party retained the ward following a hard fought by-election. The DA’s candidate in the Enoch Mgijima Ward 10 by-election, Tokkie Deysel, emerged victorious and obtained 74% of the valid vote cast. The DA’s support in ward 10 shows a massive increase and the party improved on the 46,75% share of the vote it achieved in the 2019 National and … [Read more...] about EC by-election victory confirms growing trust
DA lays criminal charges against NMB Acting City Manager
Dear MyPE Today, Wednesday 7 August 2019, I laid criminal charges against Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB) Acting City Manager, Ms Noxolo Nqwazi, regarding the illegal “reappointment” of Afrisec Strategic Solutions. In an NMB Executive Management Committee meeting, on or about 22 July 2019, Ms Nqwazi instructed the Acting Executive Director: Safety and Security, Mr Shane Brown, to compile a report regarding alleged outstanding work by Afrisec, and for such works to be completed so that payments … [Read more...] about DA lays criminal charges against NMB Acting City Manager
MEC Nqatha must urgently intervene in Molteno sewage crisis
Dear MyPE In the areas of Lankgewag and Dennekruin in Molteno, learners have to wade through raw sewage in order to reach their school. More than five years ago, the sewage plant of Molteno was upgraded, but the pumps feeding the plant were not. They are not powerful enough to pump the sewage up to the plant, so sewage flows backwards and bubbles out of the pumps and into the streets. The sewage then flows into the Stormberg-waterspruit which is the only source of fresh water used to … [Read more...] about MEC Nqatha must urgently intervene in Molteno sewage crisis
MEC Gomba must provide plan for East London clinics
Dear MyPE Today I was joined by DA Shadow Minister of Health, Siviwe Gwarube MP, and local DA councillors in conducting oversight inspections at Gompo A- and Gompo C-clinics in Duncan Village and Aspiranza-clinic in Buffalo Flats, East London. During these oversight inspections residents complained that the clinics are understaffed, have a general lack of space and cannot provide the basic services they are entitled to. Residents arrive in the early morning hours and have to wait until … [Read more...] about MEC Gomba must provide plan for East London clinics
MEC Nqatha called to urgently intervene and save the town of Bedford
Dear MuyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality has requested the DA’s Shadow MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Vicky Knoetze MPL, to urgently bring the plight of the residents of Bedford to the attention of the MEC for COGTA, Xolile Nqatha. Violent protest action has yet again brought Bedford to its knees, with protesters continuing to congregate outside town hall. The Municipal Depot was also set on fire in the early morning … [Read more...] about MEC Nqatha called to urgently intervene and save the town of Bedford
Brutal assaults on EC farming communities continue to rise
Dear MyPE The latest, alarming statistics on farm attacks in the Eastern Cape show that our rural communities are continually under siege and the brutal assault on the farming community continues to rise. In the 2016/17 financial there were 26 farm attacks. Over the last three years there have been 113 attacks. There has been an 84% increase between 2016/17 compared to 2018/19 In response to a parliamentary question, MEC for Safety, Weziwe Tikana, said that farm attacks in the province … [Read more...] about Brutal assaults on EC farming communities continue to rise
NMB water outages rob residents of their dignity and human rights
Dear MyPE Recent water outages in Nelson Mandela Bay prove that Mayor Cllr Mongameli Bobani and his failing coalition of corruption have no contingency plans when unexpected crises occur. Areas in Uitenhage and Despatch have been without water for 6 days whilst reparations to a burst main water pipeline have been delayed due to the tragic death of a contract worker. Lindile Makapela died on Monday afternoon when the trench he was working in was suddenly submerged in water. The DA … [Read more...] about NMB water outages rob residents of their dignity and human rights
Tinkering with Eskom’s structure yet not fixing the business model
Editor: It was Albert Einstein who is widely credited with saying, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results.” Refer to the 4 points below in Ted Blom's comments Dear MyPE Much speculation has arisen since the Annual Results presentation at Megawatt Park last Tuesday, however, with very few answers. The usual Q&A session (which traditionally accommodates questions from overseas analysts & investors) was cut short to … [Read more...] about Tinkering with Eskom’s structure yet not fixing the business model
The fight against gender violence and gender inequality must intensify
Dear MyPE On 9 August 1956, 20,000 fearless South African women from all walks life took to the streets of Pretoria to send a message to the apartheid regime – now that you’ve struck a woman, you have struck a rock. This day in history marked a turning point in the struggle for freedom and democracy. It showcased the strength and resilience of South African women. Indeed, women have played a remarkable role in South Africa’s history, yet sadly, 25 years since the dawn of democracy, South … [Read more...] about The fight against gender violence and gender inequality must intensify
Port of Ngqura willing to engage on issues affecting the EC economy
Dear MyPE After a rocky start, the Port of Ngqura management have given their assurances that they are willing to engage with the Democratic Alliance and will be including the party as a stakeholder in future engagements. The engagement with the port management team follows an illegal go-slow at the port that has wiped hundreds of millions of rands from the local economy. Today I was accompanied by DA Shadow Minister of Public Enterprises, Natasha Mazzone MP, DA Shadow MEC for the … [Read more...] about Port of Ngqura willing to engage on issues affecting the EC economy
Dirty communities are robbing NMB residents of their dignity and health
Dear MyPE The UDM/ANC/EFF coalition of corruption government in Nelson Mandela Bay has failed the people of the City by not ensuring that they live in a clean and healthy environment. On Tuesday, 30 July 2019, the DA launched its Kumdaka eBhayi (Nelson Mandela Bay is Dirty) campaign at a site of illegal dumping in Motherwell. I was joined by DA Federal Chairperson, Athol Trollip, and local councillors and residents in launching this very important initiative. (pics attached) Our … [Read more...] about Dirty communities are robbing NMB residents of their dignity and health
Destroying schools can never be the answer
Dear MyPE On Tuesday morning, angry learners at the troubled Atwell Madala High School in Mthatha burnt down ten prefab classrooms that had desks, textbooks and other school materials in them. This is part of a growing revolt among learners against the state of our education institutions in the Eastern Cape, coming from their desperation to get an education in a country that is facing an unemployment crisis. We are seeing protests in Zwelitsha, Mthatha, King Williams Town, Nelson Mandela … [Read more...] about Destroying schools can never be the answer
800% increase in losses shows that things are going from bad to worse
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) notes with concern the R20.7 billion loss Eskom has posted for the 2018/19 financial year. This follows from a loss of R2.3 billion in the 2017/2018 financial year. This pattern outlines an increase in financial losses of about 800% from the previous financial year. This is in no doubt the result of years of corruption and mismanagement, leaving Eskom in its worst financial state in history. Other worrying trends include the increase in municipal … [Read more...] about 800% increase in losses shows that things are going from bad to worse
