The Democratic Alliance representatives in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipal Council, under the leadership of caucus leader Leon De Villiers, have submitted an official complaint to the Public Protector of South Africa titled; "A METRO IN CRISIS". The full document (minus annexures) is reproduced below: Introduction Financial Crisis - Soccer sponsorships, AFCON 2013, The Chief Whip's office, Debts of organs of state and unfunded mandates, Political appointments - Executive … [Read more...] about A Metro in Crisis
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No Refuse Collection
To see how hard working Ward Councillors go about their jobs, see Ward 9 councillor, Heinrich Muller’s newsletter below. Scroll down to see the contact Details for Ward 9. NO REFUSE COLLECTION: Yesterday's newsflash refers. Kindly take note that I have copied and pasted the e-mail exactly as we received it from the Metro – so please excuse spelling errors, etc. It has just been confirmed that the refuse will also not be collected today, 19 October 2012 as they have embarked on a … [Read more...] about No Refuse Collection
Historic SCOPA meeting praised
Yesterday was a historic day in the Provincial Legislature in the Eastern Cape. The standing committee of Public Accounts (SCOPA) sat to deal with the 2011/12 audited financial statements of Departments. Usually SCOPA only deals with these audited reports a year or two years later after the fact. I and other members of the house have been calling for this change for many years. This change will ensure that the recommendations made by SCOPA are relevant and current. If quarterly reports, on … [Read more...] about Historic SCOPA meeting praised
Making the Eastern Cape ‘Work’
The Eastern cape remains a reservoir of cheap labour for other provinces that offer job opportunities. The fact that most of the miners killed in the Marikana tragedy were from the Eastern Cape is testimony to this lamentable situation. The two former homelands in the Eastern Cape (Ciskei and Transkei) continue to have a majority of female headed households that go under the heavy burden of poverty, dependence on remittances sent home by migrant workers and the largess of the State through … [Read more...] about Making the Eastern Cape ‘Work’
Ward 9 News – October 2012
To see how hard working Ward Councillors go about their jobs, see Ward 9 councillor, Heinrich Muller’s newsletter below. Scroll down to see the contact Details for Ward 9. DASO LANDSLIDE ELECTORAL VICTORY AT NMMU We received the following statement from Mr Athol Trollip, DA Leader Eastern Cape: "The youth make up a disproportionate percentage of society in SA and they are clearly concerned and anxious about their futures especially as the number of unemployed and unemployable graduates … [Read more...] about Ward 9 News – October 2012
Converted panel vans and bakkies compromise passenger safety
The Democratic Alliance in Eastern Cape is very worried about the non-monitoring of panel vans and bakkies that are being converted to taxis. On behalf of the DA I will be requesting the MEC for Transport, Thandiswa Marawu, and her department to step up road blocks throughout the province to ensure that these converted taxis comply with roadworthy and operator regulations when ferrying fare-paying passengers. In addition, I will in conjunction with my colleague in parliament, be requesting … [Read more...] about Converted panel vans and bakkies compromise passenger safety
Mixed reaction to 60 820 teaching posts for 2013
The Democratic Alliance is pleased, although not entirely satisfied with the announcement of only 60 820 teaching posts for the 2013 acadmic year. This represents a cut of 3 932 teaching posts. We are glad that the penalty of R1,6 billion that was to be imposed by the Provincial Treasury for the costing of 6 715 teachers in excess, as alluded to by the Department of Education at a meeting held with the Portfolio Committee of Education on 18 September 2012 did not materialise. The imposing of … [Read more...] about Mixed reaction to 60 820 teaching posts for 2013
Shock at Lalibela Rhino Poaching
In the matter of just a few short hours early this morning, the number of rhinos lost to poaching here in the Eastern Cape this year more than doubled from three to seven. NMBT CEO, Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism CEO Mandlakazi Skefile said; "In spite of all that is being done in the Eastern Cape and nationally to curb the slaughter of rhino, it is with shock that I have learnt that four rhinos from Lalibela Game Reserve were found dead this morning. Lalibela is a member of Nelson Mandela Bay … [Read more...] about Shock at Lalibela Rhino Poaching
Better funding for tourism to boost job creation in Nelson Mandela Bay needed
Tourism is regarded as one of major stimulants of the economy and can also be used as a driver of sustainable job creation. Many developing countries, particularly the Caribbean Islands in Asia, as well as Pacific nations, have built their economies using tourism as a bedrock. Their infrastructural projects are funded with tourism in mind. This strategy cascades through to all spheres of government, including the municipal level. It is therefore no wonder that those countries can continue to … [Read more...] about Better funding for tourism to boost job creation in Nelson Mandela Bay needed
Non-licensing of mobile clinics
On behalf of the Democratic Alliance I will be tabling a motion before the Provincial Legislature today to get all mobile clinics throughout the province licensed. I have also written to the MEC for Transport Thandiswa Marawu asking her how many unlicensed mobile clinics there are in the province and by when these clinics will be licensed and operational. Furthermore, I will be asking for a full report on this matter to be tabled at the Portfolio Committee of Transport. As this problem … [Read more...] about Non-licensing of mobile clinics
11 287 Eastern Cape teaching posts could be cut in 2013
The Eastern Cape Education Department could potentially cut 11 287 teaching posts from the system for the 2013 school year. This is due to a shortfall of R3.42 billion to fund the 64 752 teaching posts currently budgeted for in 2012. This information was presented to the legislature's Education Committee by Superintendent General Mthunywa Ngonzo this week. Besides Provincial Treasury's planned 1% cut in budgets for all Departments in 2013/14, the Education Department also faces a R1.6 … [Read more...] about 11 287 Eastern Cape teaching posts could be cut in 2013
Crime stats murder shocker for Eastern Cape
The fact that the Eastern Cape continues to have the highest murder ratio in the country at 48 murders per 100 000 of the population is a huge shock. Just last night another brutal murder took place in our province where a prominent elderly Kei Mouth resident was killed. Gauteng by comparison has a murder ratio of 26.6 per 100 000. Sadly the number of reported murders in the Eastern Cape has increased by 97 - or 2.8% - over the past year. Our province remains far too violent. The second … [Read more...] about Crime stats murder shocker for Eastern Cape
Pipe dream to eradicate 71 000 Mandela Bay Metro housing backlog by 2016
The announcement by the National Department of Human Settlements that they will eradicate the Nelson Mandela Metro housing backlog of 71 000 units by 2016 - while welcome - is a pipe dream. By making such a pronouncement one is creating hope among beneficiaries and communities that may not materialise. It is unacceptable and unfair to play on the hopes and emotions of vulnerable citizens in this way. This is a political ploy by the ruling party to secure votes ahead of the 2016 council … [Read more...] about Pipe dream to eradicate 71 000 Mandela Bay Metro housing backlog by 2016
Ward 9 Newsflash
To see how hard working Ward Councillors go about their jobs, see Ward 9 councillor, Heinrich Muller’s newsletter below. Scroll down to see the contact Details for Ward 9. HERITAGE DAY: Be on the look out! On Wednesday, 19 September 2012, the DA Branch Committee members and myself will be distributing a pamphlet and something to 'spice up your Heritage Day' at some robots in our ward. Heritage Day will be held nationally on Monday, 24 September 2012, but seeing as this is a public … [Read more...] about Ward 9 Newsflash
40 000 workbook shortage the fault of EC Education Department
The DA has written to Education MEC Mandla Makupula demanding an urgent response to serious claims by Minister Angie Motshekga that the Eastern Cape is responsible for chronic problems in workbook deliveries to schools. According to the Minister's figures, 24 862 workbooks were sent to schools in the wrong language and a further shortage of 14 711 workbooks was reported for the first half of the year, as of 5 June 2012. The Minister blames these problems on incorrect school and learner … [Read more...] about 40 000 workbook shortage the fault of EC Education Department
