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 TIP SITE UPDATE The Kragga Kamma tip site was temporarily closed on 16 July 2012. According to information received from the Metro, the site will be temporarily closed for ± 6 to 7 months. I want to thank everybody who adheres to the request not to dump outside the Kragga Kamma tip site and want to … [Read more...] about Ward 9 News
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Human Rights Commission must investigate Department of Education over collapsing schools in the Eastern Cape
Today I visited the Lovemore Park Farm School in the Eastern Cape. This school, just 15 minutes outside of Port Elizabeth, has been abandoned by the Department of Education, and is on the brink of collapse. The terrible conditions in which these children must endure is not only an infringement of their constitutional right to access education, but is also in clear violation of the constitution’s emphasis on the rights of the child being of paramount importance in all matters. For … [Read more...] about Human Rights Commission must investigate Department of Education over collapsing schools in the Eastern Cape
Two EC schools to close due to department’s non-payment of rentals
The Eastern Cape Department of Education's on-going financial mismanagement and lack of accountability is impacting on learners' continued ability to access education. The Catholic Church is threatening to close two schools, one being a school for the deaf, in the province due to long standing non-payment of rentals by the department. The funds are needed to maintain the schools, which are falling into disrepair. Only an effective administration can ensure that quality education can be … [Read more...] about Two EC schools to close due to department’s non-payment of rentals
Government not making dent in Eastern Cape unemployment
Government is not succeeding in making a major dent in unemployment in the Eastern Cape according to the latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey as released by Statistics South Africa today. Although the number of jobs in the second quarter compared with the first quarter of 2012 has increased by 19 000, which is some good news, the unemployment rate in the Eastern Cape has increased from 28.3% to 28.6%. This is due to the labour force increasing by 36 000. The expanded definition of … [Read more...] about Government not making dent in Eastern Cape unemployment
Legislature “too busy” to debate illegal appointment of Mandela Metro Municipal Manager
The Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature is "too busy" to want to debate the continued illegal appointment of Temba Hani Acting Municipal Manager of Nelson Mandela Bay Metro. In a statement to the media last week I proposed that I would seek a special debate in the Legislature this week on the matter. In terms of the Rules of Order of the Legislature I requested the Speaker in writing on Monday, 22 July 2012, to consider this matter for debate. This morning the Chief Whip of the … [Read more...] about Legislature “too busy” to debate illegal appointment of Mandela Metro Municipal Manager
Premier’s talk on civil servant insider-trading must become tough action
You are spot-on, Madam Premier but you have been talking tough for almost a year on insider-trading by civil servants and you cannot hide behind the Constitution. Start tightening the screws. Councillors, in terms of the Municipal Finance Management Act, cannot trade with councils. It is the same principal when it comes to civil servants. Firm action is needed as a matter of urgency. Stop dragging your heels. The Auditor-General's report on municipalities found that civil servants in the … [Read more...] about Premier’s talk on civil servant insider-trading must become tough action
Empower Taxi Passengers
I am responding to the horrific accident in which 17 people lost their lives when school bus collided with a minibus taxi on the road between Cradock and Graaff-Reinet on Saturday. Passengers in minibus taxis and buses should be empowered to take control if they feel their lives are being put in danger. They should be able to phone the existing traffic emergency number and know that law enforcement officers will respond immediately should they phone this number. They need to know this number … [Read more...] about Empower Taxi Passengers
Thousands of Textbooks Destroyed in EC
A DA inspection of an Education Department district warehouse in Fort Beaufort, Eastern Cape, has discovered thousands of textbooks lying burnt in and around the premises. (See image below) Most of the books are mathematics texbooks. We have written to MEC Mandla Makupula demanding an explanation as to how valuable public resources for Eastern Cape children were allowed to be destroyed in this irresponsible way. In other parts of the warehouse, boxes of books still in their packaging were … [Read more...] about Thousands of Textbooks Destroyed in EC
Province owes R132 million to municipalities
It is not only businesses but also municipalities that are suffering as a result of slow payments from provincial departments. As at the end of the last financial year, on 31 March 2012, municipalities in the Eastern Cape were owed R132 million by provincial departments. According to a reply to a parliamentary question I asked the MEC for Finance, Phumulo Masualle, states that an amount of R121 million had been outstanding for more than 30 days and R107.2 million for more than 60 … [Read more...] about Province owes R132 million to municipalities
Municipal Manager Themba Hani’s continued appointment is unlawful from today.
The continued appointment of the acting municipal manager of the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro, Themba Hani, is unlawful from today. Resolution 17 of the metro council, taken in March this year, stated that: "The extended acting appointment period commences on 19th March 2012 and terminates on 18th July 2012 or upon the appointment of a municipal manager, whichever occurs first". I have written to the Speaker of the Provincial Legislature asking for a snap debate on this matter when the … [Read more...] about Municipal Manager Themba Hani’s continued appointment is unlawful from today.
MEC must account for severe PE District workbook shortages
Eastern Cape Education MEC Mandla Makupula has been summoned to the Legislature to account for severe workbooks shortages identified by the DA in the Port Elizabeth district. He will appear before the Portfolio Committee on Education on Friday. It is clear that a situation similar to Limpopo is now developing in the Eastern Cape. The vast majority of schools contacted by the DA are experiencing massive shortages. Our monitoring of the PE district warehouse confirms that no additional books … [Read more...] about MEC must account for severe PE District workbook shortages
DA Eastern Cape Mandela Day programme
The Democratic Alliance is celebrating Mandela Day by participating in a number of activities around the province tomorrow - Wednesday 18 July, varying from cleanup campaigns in municipal wards in the Eastern Cape's two Metros to running soup kitchens and filling potholes in Nahoon. It is important that participation in this day is as wide-spread as possible as it helps to not only build a better society but to engender a spirit of national reconciliation in our country. It is important to … [Read more...] about DA Eastern Cape Mandela Day programme
Consumers owe R4.7 billion in outstanding rates and service fees
The Eastern Cape Province is owed in excess of R4.7 billion in outstanding rates and service fees by consumers. In a written reply to a parliamentary question I received from the MEC for Local Government and Traditional Affairs, I was informed that the total amount owing of rates, services and other fees stood at R4 707 407 922 as at April 2012. The Nelson Mandela Metro was owed R2.25 million in outstanding rates, R30.12 million for water and R10.25 million for electricity. The Camdeboo … [Read more...] about Consumers owe R4.7 billion in outstanding rates and service fees
Call these numbers to report snow and flood damage to roads
In the aftermath of the heavy rain we have endured during the past few days we expect many road related problems like "fresh" potholes making their appearance. There is a possibility of more flooding of road sections throughout or province and the more dangerous collapsing of road shoulders, which sometimes only appear a few days after heavy rain. For complaints and the reporting of potholes on Eastern Cape Roads the public should phone the Public Works hotline on 0800 864 951. This number … [Read more...] about Call these numbers to report snow and flood damage to roads
Unlicensed mobile clinics halt health services to communities
Three vehicles that are used as mobile clinics to communities in the Nelson Mandela Metro are standing idle because they are not licensed. Yet again communities suffer because they can't access clinic services. To be denied this service because a vehicle is not licensed is criminal and shows scant regard for the welfare of citizens of this province by the Departments of Transport and Health. I am informed by staff of the Department of Health that this is the second consecutive year that … [Read more...] about Unlicensed mobile clinics halt health services to communities
