The R2.2 budget approved by the Premier for the national Youth Day celebrations hosted by the provincial arm of the National Youth Development Agency, at the Wolfson Stadium in KwaZekhele and to be addressed by President Jacob Zuma are exorbitant. This is a huge amount to spend on a single event. This expenditure needs to be monitored extremely carefully because after the NYDA splurged millions on the World Youth Festival, we do not have much confidence in their ability to ensure that this … [Read more...] about R2.2 million For Port Elizabeth Youth Day Celebrations
bobby stevenson
Legal Claims Against Province Increase Exponentially
The three-fold increase from 2010/11 to 2011/12 in amounts paid out for legal claims against the province is alarming and means funds that should be available for service delivery are being swallowed up by legal settlements. According to a reply by the Premier to a parliamentary question I asked, two of the biggest culprits are the Departments of Health at R43,148 million and Transport at R18,801 million in the 2011/12 financial year. For the reply, click here. Both healthcare and … [Read more...] about Legal Claims Against Province Increase Exponentially
42% of EC police stations don’t answer phones
There needs to be an urgent investigation into the effectiveness of the SAPS in the Eastern Cape to answer telephones. According to a study done by the Democratic Alliance 53 police stations in the Eastern Cape did not answer their phones at the time of being called. (See below) A further 27 numbers that are listed on the police website appeared not to work. This means there are potentially problems at 42%, or 80 of the 191 police stations in the province. This is an alarming indictment of … [Read more...] about 42% of EC police stations don’t answer phones
Being Dronk is NOT Cool
The Democratic Alliance welcomes the MEC for Safety and Liaison, Helen Sauls-August's frustration with the number of liquor licences being issued in the province as reported in the Daily Dispatch on 18 May 2012. For some time now the Democratic Alliance has been warning the Department of Safely and Liaison that alcohol misuse is a major trigger of crime in this province.We need to be brutally tough on the causes of crime and radically reduce the destructive path that alcohol misuse has on our … [Read more...] about Being Dronk is NOT Cool
Cosatu is an obstacle to job creation
Dear Editor The massive publicity surrounding the Democratic Alliance's march on Cosatu House has placed the youth wage subsidy-proposal of the DA firmly in the public domain. This proposal will create 400 000 jobs for young South Africans who are desperate to find employment. There is R5 billion in the current budget to fund this proposal. It should also be noted that President Zuma supported this concept in his 2009 State of the Nation Address. The obstacle to this proposal being … [Read more...] about Cosatu is an obstacle to job creation
Clear picture needed of provincial finances
A chaotic picture of the Eastern Cape's finances is being painted in the media with contradictory reports surrounding the true state of the province's finances. Treasury is reported as saying the Department of Health could be R2,5 billion in deficit while the department claims it has different figures. If the Health and Education departments continue to overspend, it will create further instability in the province's finances. This will derail service delivery, not only in these two … [Read more...] about Clear picture needed of provincial finances
East Cape Job Loss Bombshell
The fact that employment in the Eastern Cape has dropped by 46 000 according to statistics released by Statistics SA yesterday, when one compares the first quarter of January-March 2011 to the period January-March 2012, is devastating news for the Eastern Cape. (See: Eastern Cape Unemployment at 28.3%) This is going to have a shattering impact on those families who are dependent on the 46 000 breadwinners who have lost their jobs. The knock-on effect will be felt throughout the Eastern … [Read more...] about East Cape Job Loss Bombshell
Stop-go provincial payments must cease
Hundreds of teachers and now doctors are suffering the adverse consequence of non-payment by provincial departments. This callous approach causes immense stress on the individuals and their families as a result of the financial hardship that they are suffering. The Democratic Alliance is continually raising this matter in the various portfolio committees in the provincial legislature. We are determined to ensure that justice is done. The double practice of non-payment to individuals and … [Read more...] about Stop-go provincial payments must cease
2012 EC budget speech highlights a good news-bad news budget
The big winner in this year's provincial budget is Roads and Public Works and the big loser is Health. The Roads Maintenance Grant has increased by 32%, from R1.034 billion to R1.369 billion and this is good for our economy. It's a ray of sunshine in the budget. Our big concern is around the Health Department which receives R15.66 billion. It sees a decline of 2.7% or R424 million in its budget. We are not convinced that the problems of accruals have been eradicated as the department is … [Read more...] about 2012 EC budget speech highlights a good news-bad news budget
Eastern Cape Provincial Budget
The provincial budget that is to be introduced tomorrow must create real opportunity for the people of the Eastern Cape. The budget needs to deal decisively with the under expenditure on capital and the rising costs of employees. Education had only spent 30.1% of its capital budget to date, which is the lowest in the country. Overall the province has only spent 46.1% or R1.9 billion out of R4.137 billion of its capital budget. The Democratic Alliance in the Eastern Cape expects the MEC … [Read more...] about Eastern Cape Provincial Budget
Just What is the Province not Spending Money On?
The third quarter provincial expenditure report released by the National Treasury this week once again indicates that the province will underspend on capital and overspend on personnel. This alarming trend continues from the previous year and the province has failed to reverse it. The overall capital expenditure for the province stands at 46.1% or R1.9 billion out of R4.137 billion. Education has only spent 30.1 % of its capital budget and is the lowest in the country with the provincial … [Read more...] about Just What is the Province not Spending Money On?
East Cape State of the Province Address all about JOBS
The Eastern Cape hopes to create 116 958 jobs in the coming financial year, Premier Noxolo Kiviet said on Friday. Delivering the State of the Province Address, the premier said although the country’s unemployment rate had decreased, the provincial unemployment rate of 27.1% was still high. "However, we are pleased to report that out of a target of 94 504 job opportunities announced for Phase 2 of the Expanded Public Works Programme, a total of 110 472 work opportunities have to date been … [Read more...] about East Cape State of the Province Address all about JOBS
Expectations for State of the Province Address
Noxolo Kiviet, the Premier of the Eastern Cape, will deliver the annual State of the Province Address in the Bhisho legislature on Friday, 17 February 2012. The Premier must decisively spell out how the Provincial Government is going to improve governance in the Eastern Cape so we can create the right climate for economic growth and job creation. A job is the best passport out of poverty. Corruption, maladministration, irregular tender practices and general inefficiencies are a turnoff to … [Read more...] about Expectations for State of the Province Address
Update: Secrecy bill hearings: legislature chooses only ANC MPLs
In a shocking abuse of power and state resources the Eastern Cape Legislature has selected only ANC MPLs to officially accompany the National council of Provinces ad hoc committee when they hold public hearings in the province on Thursday on the Protection of State Information Bill. For the notice, click here. This is a huge deviation from the normal procedure where all official delegations that embark on public hearings are of a multi-party nature. This undemocratic move portrays the ruling … [Read more...] about Update: Secrecy bill hearings: legislature chooses only ANC MPLs
Under Expenditure Results in Happy Centenary for the ANC
The R1,683 billion Adjustments Appropriation Bill tabled in the Eastern Cape provincial legislature today has an amount of R27,5 million for transfers to all political parties for the political party fund, constituency and caucus funds. This Christmas bonus has come as a result of under expenditure in the legislature for the 2010/11 financial year. This money is now being rolled over. There is no doubt that this unexpected additional allocation is because of the ANC centenary celebration. … [Read more...] about Under Expenditure Results in Happy Centenary for the ANC
