bobby stevenson

Dear MyPE The latest unemployment figures, just released in the Quarterly Labour Force Survey statistics, overshadow Premier Oscar Mabuyane’s State of the Province Address. The provincial unemployment figures remain the worst in the country, shooting up from 45,8% in the 3rd quarter to 47,9% in the 4th quarter, with the expanded unemployment figure also up, now at 52,4%, from 51,2% in the 3rd quarter. The report shows that a further 148,000 people joined the unemployed in the province … [Read more...] about Jobs crisis overshadows Premier’s SOPA address

Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance welcomes the announcements made by Premier Oscar Mabuyane relating to infrastructure development, economic growth, and job creation, some of which was a repeat from last year, during his State of the Province Address today. However, unless these initiatives are built on the rock of good governance, they will be swallowed up by the quicksands of corruption, cadre deployment, and maladministration. The premier needs to ensure that there is a strong … [Read more...] about Premier must build on the rock of good governance

Dear MyPE Eastern Cape Premier, Oscar Mabuyane, must spell out how his government will change the trajectory of the Eastern Cape; away from a failed state and towards a caring, capable government that works, when he gives his State of the Province Address (SOPA) tomorrow, 23 February. Last year, during his previous SOPA, Premier Mabuyane committed himself to an ethical government. (Page 20) Since then, the Eastern Cape has been drowning under a tsunami of allegations of corruption and … [Read more...] about Premier must change trajectory of the Eastern Cape

Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance welcomes the news that Premier Oscar Mabuyane has fired Health MEC Sindiswa Gomba. The dismissal of MEC Gomba is long overdue, as the DA has been calling for Mabuyane to fire her since May last year. Gomba’s performance as the MEC for Health since her appointment has been plagued with failures, weak leadership and serious allegations of corruption. Given the cloud that has been hanging over her, it is unbelievable that it has taken so long for … [Read more...] about Dismissal of Health MEC Welcomed

Dear MyPE All eyes are on Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane as the dam wall of corruption allegations continue to break over his administration. No amount of noting developments and looking into the matter is going to change the fact that EC Health MEC, Sindiswa Gomba, is facing a string of charges including fraud, corruption, money laundering and contravening the Municipal Management Finance Act. Premier Mabuyane cannot call for people like Ace Magashule to step aside, while in his … [Read more...] about Premier Mabuyane must act against Health MEC

Dear MyPE Decisive action needs to be taken to end the upsurge of drinking in public, especially in recreational areas associated with beaches, in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM). It is not just about the broken bottles, litter and increased trauma cases, but about saving lives as Covid-19 regulations, along with the city’s by-laws, that are being flouted. A capable state would have a multi-pronged approach to address this, that would include public education … [Read more...] about Drinking in public chaos in BCM must be addressed

Dear MyPE Premier Oscar Mabuyane can no longer lament the state of collapsing local government in the Eastern Cape. He must stop wringing his hands and take firm action. On Thursday last week [4 February 2021] the Shadow MEC for Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Vicky Knoetze MPL, moved a motion in the provincial legislature's sitting, to force the hand of the province and take decisive action. Our challenge to the ANC – put your solutions on the table and we will put ours! … [Read more...] about Local government is collapsing

Dear MyPE Eastern Cape expanded unemployment figures could soar close to 60% if the current Covid-19 level three lockdown measures are kept in place. Government policies are driving the people of the Eastern Cape into abject poverty, by taking away people’s rights to earn a living. A capable state would actively balance the need to save lives against the need to save livelihoods. Eastern Cape Premier, Oscar Mabuyane, needs to urgently engage with the national coronavirus command … [Read more...] about Eastern Cape unemployment shock on the cards if drastic action not taken

Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance in the Eastern Cape welcomes the relocation of Transnet National Ports Authority to Nelson Mandela Bay. This is a much-needed boost for Nelson Mandela Bay and the Eastern Cape as a whole. We trust now that the head office will be based in Nelson Mandela Bay, more emphasis will be placed on the relocation of the Manganese Ore Facility from the PE harbour to Port of Ngqura. The manganese facility is a proven health hazard to Nelson Mandela Bay … [Read more...] about Transnet National Ports Authority relocating their headquarters to Nelson Mandela Bay

Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) is sad to announce the passing of former DA Eastern Cape Provincial Leader, Member of the Provincial Legislature (MPL) and Member of Parliament (MP), Eddie Trent (80), who passed away from natural causes on Thursday, 31 December 2020, at 20:30. A political giant in the history of our province has fallen. Eddie fought for justice for all and non-racialism, and was both a bridge builder and a nation builder. I worked with Eddie since 1983 and he always … [Read more...] about RIP Eddie Trent

Dear MyPE There is no doubt that 2020 has been an exceptionally trying year, with extra-ordinary challenges, most notably those brought about by the Coronavirus pandemic. It is said that in the light of adversity true character is revealed. In the Eastern Cape, this adversity has revealed how fragile our government departments have become following years of neglect, mismanagement and outright corruption. The province was labelled the epicentre of corruption, the epicentre of unemployment … [Read more...] about Eastern Cape Provincial Report Card 2020 – when 34.61% is STILL a Pass!

Dear MyPE More needs to be done to familiarise communities of the Amber Alert project, which was rolled out in South Africa at the beginning of the year as a partnership between the SAPS and Facebook. This child abduction alert system, which was first established in the United States in 1996, sends out messages to the general public to ask for help in finding abducted children. Through the Facebook partnership, SAPS can now publish the details of the missing child to all Facebook users … [Read more...] about Child Abduction Amber Alert system available in South Africa this holiday season

Dear MyPE Serious questions need to be asked about the Eastern Cape Government’s commitment to embracing digital transformation and the fourth industrial revolution. This became apparent following an audit of the respective departmental websites, to determine if they had made the latest annual reports (2019/20) available for download, following their tabling in the virtual sitting of the Legislature a week ago. As of this morning, Wednesday 9 December, of the 13 departments, only … [Read more...] about Failure to upload Annual Reports highlights digital delinquency in Province

Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance welcomes the commitment from Eastern Cape Premier, Oscar Mabuyane, to research the relationship between alcohol use and gender-based violence. His commitment follows after the matter was raised by myself through a member’s statement during plenary in the Eastern Cape Legislature this afternoon [Wednesday, 2 December 2020], where I asked why research is not being done by the province into the relationship between liquor and violent crime, of which … [Read more...] about Call to research link between alcohol misuse and gender-based violence

Dear MyPE The stench of corruption allegations continue to haunt the Eastern Cape, reinforcing its image as the epicentre of corruption in South Africa. The latest allegations reach into the highest office in the province following the arrest of Premier Oscar Mabuyane’s special advisor, Zandisile Qupe, on Friday, the 20 November 2020. This week I have asked parliamentary questions in this regard. Premier, you cannot say you did not know! Your judgement is also in the dock with this … [Read more...] about Allegations of corruption extend to the highest provincial office