I would like to express my shock and deepest sympathy on behalf of the Democratic Alliance with the families and friends of Grade 4 pupils, Bulelani Ndarala and Siviwe Mbetshu who were so tragically killed in an accident on the Rocklands Road outside the Ankervas Primary School yesterday. I know this area very well and I believe that this heartbreaking tragedy could have been avoided. This is a wake-up call that serious attention must be given to safety on this road which carries large … [Read more...] about Condolences after Ankervas school tragedy
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Ward 9 News September 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. KRAGGA KAMMA TRANSFER SITE UPDATE We received the following feedback from the Metro re the Kragga Kamma Transfer Site: "...As discussed, the developments at Kragga Kamma will probably begin towards the end of the year. The consultant will be providing us with a programme of action for all steps to be taken, once I get … [Read more...] about Ward 9 News September 2012
DA seeks provincial takeover of bankrupt Gariep Municipality and Public Protector Intervention
The local Sherriff again attached furniture and vehicles of the Gariep Municipality on Friday, 7 September after pension payments from employees that should have been paid over the SA Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) were not done. The chaos in this municipality continues despite a visit by the Premier, Noxolo Kiviet, to the area a week ago. With on-going weekly attachments of municipal assets it is clear this municipality is in in dire financial straits and needs urgent provincial … [Read more...] about DA seeks provincial takeover of bankrupt Gariep Municipality and Public Protector Intervention
Premier must deal with provincial officials for non-payment to municipalities
If Premier Noxolo Kiviet is serious about statements made to the media about dealing with non-payment by provincial departments to municipalities, she should deal with the provincial officials responsible rather than suggesting municipalities cut off provision of services to departments if they have not paid. For the Premier’s statement, click here. The Premier is correct in highlighting this critical issue, but she should not use municipal cut-offs as the stick to beat provincial departments … [Read more...] about Premier must deal with provincial officials for non-payment to municipalities
Ward 6 Newsletter – August 2012
To see how hard working Ward Councillors go about their jobs, see Ward 6 councillor, Retief Odendaal’s newsletter below. Scroll down to see the contact Details for Ward 6. HOSTING AFCON WILL COST MORE THAN R43 MILLION The cost of being a host city for next year’s African Cup of Nations has risen from an estimated R34 million to “in excess of R43 million,” according to a report submitted to the Sport, Recreation and Cultural Services Committee. The R43 million is the figure provided by … [Read more...] about Ward 6 Newsletter – August 2012
Lack of regular performance management reviews is a major cause of service delivery failures
The continued under expenditure and non-compliance of basic fiduciary responsibilities by Local Government and other provincial departments begs the question whether performance target setting and evaluation of officials is being done properly in accordance with the requirements of the Systems Act. I have on behalf of the Democratic Alliance, submitted a question for written reply to the MEC for Local Government, Mlibo Qoboshiyane, asking whether regular, quarterly Performance Management … [Read more...] about Lack of regular performance management reviews is a major cause of service delivery failures
Political Welcome for EP Kings inclusion in Super 15
The Democratic Alliance welcomes the announcement today by SA Rugby that the Eastern Province Kings will participate in next season’s Super 15 franchise. This is very good news for rugby in the Eastern Cape. This will boost tourism in the province when games are played here, which will have a spin-off of much needed job creation. Our young promising rugby players won’t be lost to this province as has happened in the past. The EP Kings have our support and we wish them well in their … [Read more...] about Political Welcome for EP Kings inclusion in Super 15
East Cape capital expenditure lowest in the country
The first quarter National Treasury expenditure figures for the Eastern Cape once again highlight the alarming trend of low capital expenditure in the key Departments of Education (7.7%), Health (11.3%) and Human Settlements (17.7%). Under development, inequality and poverty are directly related to the lack of capital expenditure in the social cluster. The only way to stop the rot is for the MEC for Finance and Provincial Expenditure, Phumulo Masualle, to table a quarterly statement on the … [Read more...] about East Cape capital expenditure lowest in the country
Job Creation Requires Sound Administration
From a speech by Bobby Stevenson to the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature who sat this afternoon to consider the report of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) for the 2010/2011 financial year for provincial departments: When your education system malfunctions, learners future job prospects become more limited. When civil servants trade with the Province at the expense of the Private Sector, you limit opportunities for job creation. When corruption, maladministration and … [Read more...] about Job Creation Requires Sound Administration
Youth to stage a NSFAS picket at NMMU
As a part of the DA's jobs campaign, tomorrow, 14 August, DA Youth Federal Chair, Mbali Ntuli, will lead students at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) in a picket from 12:45 pm, as a part of an ongoing campaign to pressure the Higher Education Minister to allow graduates to repay their National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) loans through service to the state. … [Read more...] about Youth to stage a NSFAS picket at NMMU
Urgent Call for Roads and Transport SIU Investigation to be Finalised
The findings by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) into alleged corruption and fraud in the former Eastern Cape Department of Roads and Transport involving at least R90 million must be finalised and acted upon as a matter of urgency. This province is being bled dry by tenderpreneurship, dishonesty and maladministration. If any of the shocking claims should be true, the culprits must be dealt with speedily and in the harshest possible way. Criminal convictions must be sought to act as … [Read more...] about Urgent Call for Roads and Transport SIU Investigation to be Finalised
Farm murders must be put to an end
Another farmer was shot dead over the weekend on his farm in the Eastern Cape. Owen Charles has served his Jansenville community in myriad ways as a liberal activist over the last two decades. His wife Jenny is in hospital in critical condition with multiple stab wounds. We wish to convey our deepest empathy and condolences to the Charles Family. This senseless loss of life is a tragedy not only in itself, but also for the knock-on effects that such a murder has on rural communities across … [Read more...] about Farm murders must be put to an end
Legislature requested to discuss textbook shortage and filling of vacant posts
The Democratic Alliance in Bhisho has submitted a request to the Speaker of the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature in terms of the rules that important issues around education in the province be discussed in the House as a Matter of Public Importance (Rule 126). The next sitting of the legislature will be on Tuesday, 14 August 2012. It is time that Education MEC Mandla Makupula accounts to the elected public representatives of the Eastern Cape as to the current crisis in education. The … [Read more...] about Legislature requested to discuss textbook shortage and filling of vacant posts
EC workbook shortages reported to Public Protector
The DA has asked the Public Protector to investigate the Education Department's failure to solve chronic workbook shortages in Eastern Cape schools. To date we have not received a satisfactory response from either the Minister or the MEC to letters of demand dated 22 and 23 July and 2 August. The DA has identified chronic workbook shortages in the Port Elizabeth and Queenstown districts. Late last week, on a visit to the Louis Rex Primary School in Queenstown we were informed of a shortage … [Read more...] about EC workbook shortages reported to Public Protector
Urgent Meeting requested to set up investigation into Mandela Metro water crises
The crumbling infrastructure in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro, which led to this weekend's water shortages, shows negligence on the part of the municipality and cannot be left unchallenged. Furthermore, unless adequate funding is found to maintain infrastructure, similar incidents will occur again. I have written to the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Local Government to convene an urgent meeting to explain the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro water crises. I have requested the … [Read more...] about Urgent Meeting requested to set up investigation into Mandela Metro water crises
