Dear MyPE It is a tragedy in a province with so much need that the Department of Education has had R530-million of its Education Infrastructure Grant taken back by national treasury due to slow expenditure. This amounts to 33% of the total grant of R1.594-billion. This was gazetted yesterday. (subs: Monday, 7 March 2016) In a fair society that values the freedom that education can bring, those responsible would be brought to book. Fairness demands the premier must make an example of … [Read more...] about National treasury takes back R530-million of EC Education Infrastructure Grant
bobby stevenson
Budget reaction: no game-changers to put EC on high road to opportunity
The Eastern Cape MEC for Finance and Provincial Planning, Sakhumzi Somyo, tabled the provincial budget for 2016/17 in the Bhisho legislature on Friday 4 March 2016. Dear MyPE This morning the MEC for Finance and Provincial Planning introduced a budget of R69.590-billion. A budget is not just about rands and cents it's about creating opportunity. In a province where it is wastage unusual, it cannot be business as usual. Although he struck some key notes, history shows the province does … [Read more...] about Budget reaction: no game-changers to put EC on high road to opportunity
Over 11.6 billion wasted annually in the Eastern Cape
Click on play to hear it from the 'horses' mouth: Dear MyPE Finance and Provincial Planning MEC Sakhumzi Somyo must tell us how he is going to stop the rampant wastage of public finances in the Eastern Cape and give us a value for money budget that creates the right climate for economic growth and job creation. What we don't need is a simplistic belt tightening and cost cutting exercise. The MEC must put on the gloves, pull out the knife and cut deep to eradicate waste. The … [Read more...] about Over 11.6 billion wasted annually in the Eastern Cape
Use technology to fight crime
Speech Notes: Bobby Stevenson, Shadow MEC for Safety and Security speaking during the debate of the State of the Province Address, 23 February 2016: The Honourable Premier in his speech stated: "We are reasonably satisfied with the progress we are making in the fight against crime." There are many residents in this province who would disagree with that statement. Whatever the crime statistics might show, the level of crime, particularly of violent crime is still far too high in this … [Read more...] about Use technology to fight crime
Civil servant suspensions cost province R4-million
Dear MyPE Civil servants who have been placed on precautionary suspension by provincial departments have cost the Eastern Cape at least R 4 million. According to a reply to a legislature question I asked Premier Phumulo Masualle, eight officials were on suspension at the end of the second quarter of the 2015/16 financial year (30 September 2015), costing R3 981 664.30 so far, two for over nine months. This province needs to declare a war on wasting. Given the tight financial position … [Read more...] about Civil servant suspensions cost province R4-million
Calls for campaign to recruit police reservists
Dear MyPE The DA believes that the provincial Department of Safety and Liaison and the SAPS should launch an exciting recruitment campaign to boost the number of police reservists in the Eastern Cape. According to a reply to a legislature question I asked the MEC, Weziwe Tikana, there are only 2 031 police reservists in the province. This is far too few in a province where crime is far too high. High visibility police patrols are said to cut crime by up to 40%. According to the latest … [Read more...] about Calls for campaign to recruit police reservists
DA questions legality of Eastern Cape legislature support for Division of Revenue Amendment Bill
Dear MyPE The DA is determined to ensure that our constitutional values not trampled on by incorrect procedures in the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature. The DA will not turn a blind eye to the blatant flouting of rules and procedures. If things like this fall through the cracks, the cracks will become an abyss that eventually swallows up our constitutional democracy. The leader of the DA in the National Council of Provinces, Elza van Lingen MP, is challenging the legality of the passing … [Read more...] about DA questions legality of Eastern Cape legislature support for Division of Revenue Amendment Bill
16 days of activism for non-violence against women and children
Dear MyPE The high levels of sexual voice against women and children are a sad reflection of how skewed our moral values have become in South Africa today. Once again, another 16 days of activism of no violence against women and children has been declared, but can one honestly say the situation is getting any better? Women and children want real freedom: this means to wear what you want and to walk where you want without feeling unsafe and without being objectified as a potential sexual … [Read more...] about 16 days of activism for non-violence against women and children
Gelvandale Murder – SAPS must take drastic action
Dear MyPE The DA is shocked by another murder, execution style, which took place in Beetlestone Road opposite Papenkuil Primary School in Gelvandale just before 10:00 this morning. I have been informed by Edmund van Vuuren MPL that bystanders told him that the person shot was a potential witness in a murder case. The culture of lawlessness which is continuing to escalate in the Northern Areas of Port Elizabeth needs to be stopped. The fact that this took place in close proximity of a … [Read more...] about Gelvandale Murder – SAPS must take drastic action
The march towards the fiscal cliff continues
Dear MyPE The Eastern Cape march towards a fiscal cliff continues without the MEC for Finance and Provincial Expenditure spelling out clear plans on how to deal with the escalating wage bill. MEC Sakhumzi Somyo correctly identified the provincial wage bill of 65% of the total budget as a key problem that needs to be dealt with. Another investigation into this matter is simply not good enough. This has been promised for years by Premiers and previous MECs for finance. What is required is … [Read more...] about The march towards the fiscal cliff continues
Bleak future for matriculants and graduates
Dear MyPE The continued high levels of unemployment in the Eastern Cape offer a bleak future for matriculants and university students who are looking for jobs. The official unemployment rate in the Eastern Cape increased from 29.1% in the second quarter to 29.2% in the third quarter, according to the latest Labour Force Survey of Stats SA. Tragically, this means 4 000 more households are without an income. The Eastern C ape also has the highest expanded rate of unemployment, at 42.5%, … [Read more...] about Bleak future for matriculants and graduates
Opening of Harambe in Eastern Cape welcomed
Dear MyPE The DA welcomes the opening of the offices of Harambe in Port Elizabeth. This organisation facilitates job opportunities for young people in the Eastern Cape. We believe this organisation plays an important role in providing young people with opportunities to get into the job market. A person, who has a job for more than 12 months, has an 85% chance of getting work for the rest of their life. Young people just need the first step on the ladder of opportunity to get ahead … [Read more...] about Opening of Harambe in Eastern Cape welcomed
Hawks applauded for rescue of kidnapped East London toddler
Dear MyPE The DA applauds the SAPS Hawks for the recovery of an East London three-year-old toddler who was allegedly kidnapped by her nanny a month ago. As a parent myself, I was deeply touched by this story. It is every parent's nightmare that their child may be stolen or come to serious harm. The reunion of the child with her parents today, brings great joy and relief not only to the parents involved but to the entire Eastern Cape, who shares their happiness. The work done by the … [Read more...] about Hawks applauded for rescue of kidnapped East London toddler
Inadequate water maintenance budgets see millions flushed down the drain
Dear MyPE The massive wastage of water in the Eastern Cape's three biggest municipalities is going to continue to disrupt frustrated resident's lives unless water infrastructure is maintained and installed. The staggering rate of water loss in Nelson Mandela Bay is 36%, 33% in BCM and 25% in KSD, according to a reply to a written question I asked the MEC for Cooperative Governance, Fikile Xasa. People are angry with the wastage, the leaking pipes, the poor quality of water and the lack of … [Read more...] about Inadequate water maintenance budgets see millions flushed down the drain
Walmer township unrest due to empty promises by ANC
Dear MyPE The empty promises of the ANC around housing and basic service delivery are a direct cause of the community’s frustrations which have boiled over into violent protest in Walmer today and yesterday. A DA group of public representatives consisting of Andrew Whitfield MP, ward councillor Dave Hayselden and councillor Thobani Noqoli (who lives in Walmer Township), Marshall von Buchenroder MPL and myself witnessed first-hand the protest. This has resulted in businesses and schools … [Read more...] about Walmer township unrest due to empty promises by ANC
