The recent media reports of the success of the annual Taking the Legislature to the People, which was held in Cofimvaba last week, needs correction. The event, dubbed to take democracy to the people, was in fact a farce. The event was an organised ANC road-show to hide the failings of the ruling party. Unlike previous years the answering of oral questions by MECs from MPLs was not allowed. Secondly the highly contentious ward committee motion submitted by the DA at a previous … [Read more...] about Legislature to the people gives skewed impression of success
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People’s Legislature Embarrassed to debate DA motion on ward committees
This week's annual "Taking Legislature to the People" in Cofimvaba will not debate the DA motion on illegal ward committee elections for fear of publically embarrassing the ruling party. The motion, which was tabled and accepted in September by the Legislature for debate, is intended to nullify the plethora of illegal ward committee elections currently taking place in the province. The current ward committee election fiasco in the Nelson Mandela Metro illustrates the urgency of this matter … [Read more...] about People’s Legislature Embarrassed to debate DA motion on ward committees
Shambolic Education Department Raising Teacher Ire
Indiscriminate and unexpected deductions from teachers who have been on incapacity leave without any substantiated documentation from the Department of Education must be condemned in the strongest sense possible. It is unfair that teachers must suffer because the department is in an administrative mess. The Eastern Cape Department of Education is notorious for habitually doing incomprehensible things for which they have been successfully challenged in court. This department has done it … [Read more...] about Shambolic Education Department Raising Teacher Ire
East Cape Education Department Wastes More Money
The Democratic Alliance in the Eastern Cape is stunned but not surprised by yet another irresponsible and senseless waste of funds by the provincial Department of Education. The DA was reliably informed that while the Department of Education is on track to overspend its 2011/2012 budget by almost R2,8 billion due to financial mismanagement and maladministration, the Port Elizabeth district office has in its educational wisdom decided to have a Grade R-Indaba at the Eastern Cape Training … [Read more...] about East Cape Education Department Wastes More Money
International Rhino Day
Thursday 22 September is International Rhino Day and we should all spare a thought for the almost 300 rhino's that have been viciously slaughtered for their horns here in South Africa this year. Seeing photographs of a baby rhino nuzzling up to the decaying carcass of its poached mother is an image that will stay with me forever. It justifies calls for the immediate moratorium on all rhino hunting as corruption within the government and "the system" allows convicted poachers to get away … [Read more...] about International Rhino Day
Port Elizabeth’s State of the Art Alcohol Testing Centre IDLE
The Democratic Alliance has submitted a series of questions in the provincial legislature to determine why the state of the art Alcohol Evidence Centre in Port Elizabeth is not operational despite the huge need to combat drunken driving on our roads. Effective law enforcement and successful prosecution is the best way to combat drunken driving yet our province has failed to ensure the centre remains operational. The Alcohol Evidence Centre, housed in the provincial traffic control centre … [Read more...] about Port Elizabeth’s State of the Art Alcohol Testing Centre IDLE
Uncooperative Education Officials Frustrating Special Investigating Unit
The mandate of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) currently investigating corruption in the Department of Education in the Eastern Cape should be strengthened in order to summons any official, any time, to provide them with the necessary information and relevant documentation. The unit needs clout to do its job. The department has no fraud prevention plan in place and the Risk Management Unit is almost non-existent. This needs to be rectified as a matter of urgency if the looting is to … [Read more...] about Uncooperative Education Officials Frustrating Special Investigating Unit
Eastern Cape Public Servants Barred From Trading With Government
The Democratic Alliance welcomes the statement of the Premier of the Eastern Cape, Noxolo Kiviet, at the 25 August 2011 midyear provincial Legotla that the province will no longer allow Eastern Cape public servants to trade with the government. The DA over a long period of time has been promoting this policy shift in terms of our agenda of accountability. Last year in November I tabled private members' legislation, the Eastern Cape Business Interests of Employees Procurement Bill to this … [Read more...] about Eastern Cape Public Servants Barred From Trading With Government
Eastern Cape Municipalities owe Millions in Unpaid Accounts
In April this year eighteen municipalities in the Eastern Cape owed creditors more than R167 million in unpaid accounts over thirty days. In five municipalities this was caused due to cash flow problems. This is impacting negatively on service delivery to poor communities. In terms of section 65(2)(e) of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) municipalities are compelled to pay outstanding creditors within 30 days of receipt of invoice. A response to a written legislature question … [Read more...] about Eastern Cape Municipalities owe Millions in Unpaid Accounts
42% of East Cape Section 20 Schools STILL Await Stationery
The Democratic Alliance condemns in the strongest sense the non-delivery of a basic commodity, namely stationery, to 42 %, or 2 367 Section 20 schools around the province. This commodity should have been delivered prior to the opening of schools for the 2011 academic year. It is unacceptable and beyond reason that 2 367 schools out of 5 615 public ordinary schools have been failed by the Eastern Cape Department of Education in not providing 800 000 learners with the necessary resources in … [Read more...] about 42% of East Cape Section 20 Schools STILL Await Stationery
Just Who Has the Democratic High Road Here?
Below is a copy of the speech given by Acting DA Caucas Leader and Councillor Gustav Rautenbach yesterday during the Special Council Meeting convened to debate the R17.8 million the Mayor requested for "election purposes": (Read: Bend Over Whilst we Extract R17.8 Million for more insight.) Speaker The Executive Mayor recently attacked the Democratic Alliance in the media by saying that the item before us is not only about the 2011 local government elections, but includes engaging with … [Read more...] about Just Who Has the Democratic High Road Here?
