Dear MyPE After much media speculation in the past weeks about me possibly contesting for the position of DA Federal Chairperson, I can today confirm that I will indeed be standing for this position. Regardless of whether the position is being vacated or not, it is a position that I believe is worthy of contestation. This position might be regarded in some circles as being somewhat "ceremonial", I in fact believe the contrary. This is a position that can and should be used to ensure a … [Read more...] about Athol Trollip for DA Federal Chair
athol trollip
ANC Pty Ltd in Amathole district municipality toilet scandal
Dear MyPE The latest expose of unbridled predation on the public purse by senior ANC figures should be the last straw for a greedy government! When Jacob Zuma appointed his close aide Lindiwe Zulu, as the minister of small business, no one expected her to become the minister of ANC family business or "ANC Pty Ltd". The latest R631 million toilet contract is probably one of the most outrageous cases of self service by senior ANC leaders. This case is made worse by the feigned surprise of … [Read more...] about ANC Pty Ltd in Amathole district municipality toilet scandal
EC Sopa 2015: Premier less confident than in 2014
Dear MyPE Eastern Cape premier Phumulo Masualle delivered his State of the Province Address in the Bhisho Legislature on Friday. We do not want to criticise premier Phumulo Masualle unfairly, but it was evident that there was very little enthusiastic support from the ranks of his own party during and after his State of the Province Address. It was a very flat affair. The premier must be commended for his plans for the Eastern Cape economy and job creation, as well as his reference to … [Read more...] about EC Sopa 2015: Premier less confident than in 2014
Expectations for EC State of the Province Address
Dear MyPE The Premier of the Eastern Cape, Phumulo Masualle, will be delivering his State of the Province Address in the Bhisho Legislature tomorrow. Below are the DA's expectations of issues that the premier should focus on in his speech. Fortunately we all know - as does the premier of the Eastern Cape - that there is nothing to laugh about regarding the state of our province. There are so many areas that need determined attention and drastic action that it is hard to prioritise … [Read more...] about Expectations for EC State of the Province Address
Opening of KwaZakhele constituency office marks start of DA 2016 campaign to win NMBM
Dear MyPE DA provincial chairperson Veliswa Mvenya and I today opened the newest DA constituency office in Port Elizabeth. The Ngqura constituency in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro comprises the follow areas: Zwide, New Brigton, KwaZakhele, Motherwell, KwaDwesi, KwaMagxaki and Blue Water Bay. It's an open secret that the DA has set its electoral sights on the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro. This municipality was yesterday described by DA parliamentary leader Mmusi Maimane as a sinking ship … [Read more...] about Opening of KwaZakhele constituency office marks start of DA 2016 campaign to win NMBM
Inflammatory and racist motions in legislature
Dear MyPE The DA notes with grave concern the two motions raised by the ANC Chief Whip, Mzoleli Mrara in the provincial legislature today (4 February 2015). These motions cause more harm than good with regard to the issue of Xenophobia and reconciliation in our society. For the motions see images below. I have written to the Speaker, Noxolo Kiviet and the Leader of Government Business, MEC Helen Sauls-August, to ask them to address various concerns that arise from these two ill-conceived … [Read more...] about Inflammatory and racist motions in legislature
Storm threatens to break Tea Cup
Dear Editor In response to MEC Mlibo Qoboshiyane's incredible denial about the true state of affairs at Magwa and Majola tea estates in the article entitled, ("Run down tea estates leaves a bitter taste," January 31), I'd like to say the following: Having not had the benefit of sight of the MEC's "lengthy response" I will have to restrict myself to countering what was printed in the above said article. The MEC asserts that my statement was lurid and "filled to the brim with falsehoods … [Read more...] about Storm threatens to break Tea Cup
Accelerating the ANC’s slide in Nelson Mandela Bay Metro
Dear MyPE By-elections were held in Ward 42 and Ward 46 in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro on Wednesday 5 November 2014. These two wards are very interesting barometers for the forthcoming local government elections in 2016, where the DA has publicly stated that it intends wining this strategic metro municipality. Uitenhage has been rocked by a number of violent service delivery protests over the past few years. The impact of these protests and the outcomes of yesterday's by-elections are … [Read more...] about Accelerating the ANC’s slide in Nelson Mandela Bay Metro
Athol Trollip’s provincial congress address
The speech as delivered this afternoon at the DA Eastern Cape 2014 congress in Jeffrey's Bay by Athol Trollip, DA provincial leader. This is the seventh time I've addressed a Provincial Congress of the DA as the Provincial Leader and I can say without any fear of contradiction that this position has, despite a number of challenges over the past 14 years, been the most exciting and fulfilling one I've ever held. When I reflect upon my association with this Party and its predecessor party's … [Read more...] about Athol Trollip’s provincial congress address
Trollip’s reinstatement proof that constitutionalism trumps majoritarianism
Dear MyPE My reinstatement today and the payment of my salary effectively overturn my suspension of two weeks and a fine of one month's salary. The statement that I read out today as per the out-of-court settlement is precisely what I offered to do when the Premier first demanded an apology at a legislature sitting on 23 July 2014. At the said sitting I undertook to make a qualified apology. I said: "Hon Speaker, I want my question to be answered by the Premier and once the Premier has … [Read more...] about Trollip’s reinstatement proof that constitutionalism trumps majoritarianism
Agreement reached in Trollip’s suspension matter
Dear MyPE The respective legal representatives of the Democratic Alliance and the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature have reached an agreement to settle the impasse that has arisen out of the suspension and imposition of a fine of the leader of the opposition in the provincial legislature. Without divulging the contents of the agreement, it has been decided in the chambers of the presiding judge in the Grahamstown High Court, that Hon. Trollip will be invited to the next sitting of the … [Read more...] about Agreement reached in Trollip’s suspension matter
DA to fight Bhisho legislature suspension and fine of one months’ salary of Athol Trollip
Dear MyPE The DA is outraged at the finding of the Ethics Committee of the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature regarding the case of the leader of the opposition, Athol Trollip, that was tabled for consideration in the House on Thursday 2 October. The DA has formally lodged its objection. The committee found him guilty of contravening the code of ethics of the legislature, for impugning the Premier, Phumullo Masualle's good name (for allegedly calling him a liar and a cheat) and for refusing … [Read more...] about DA to fight Bhisho legislature suspension and fine of one months’ salary of Athol Trollip
Premier finally responds to “controversial” question
Dear MyPE The office of Premier Phumulo Masualle has finally responded to a straightforward question put to him about the transfer of departmental funds to his personal bank account. The issue of the irregular transfer of money as it was done in this case should be dealt with, with more than a reprimand, as it was this infraction that caused the premier acute embarrassment and not the questions or statements issued by me on behalf of the DA. The question was answered by MEC Helen … [Read more...] about Premier finally responds to “controversial” question
Condolences to Jordan and Matsila families
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance would like to express its sincere condolences to the families of Eastern Cape residents, Sidima Jordan and Thomas Matsila, who died after a building collapsed in Nigeria last week. Former ANC MPL, Joe Jordan, reported that the Department of International Relations and Cooperation confirmed that his son, Sidima Jordan, was one of the 67 South Africans who died after a building belonging to preacher T B Joshua collapsed in Nigeria on Friday, 12 September … [Read more...] about Condolences to Jordan and Matsila families
No final ruling by legislature ethics committee against Athol Trollip
Dear MyPE Reports in today's Daily Dispatch and The Herald state that the ethics committee of the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature had found DA legislature leader Athol Trollip guilty of the use of unparliamentary language. The ethics committee nor the legislature has made any final ruling on the usage of unparliamentary language by DA legislature leader Athol Trollip. On Tuesday the deputy speaker, Bulelwa Tunyiswa, presented a report from the ethics committee in the Eastern Cape … [Read more...] about No final ruling by legislature ethics committee against Athol Trollip
