The provincial housing department is out of touch regarding illegal occupation of RDP houses in the province. It is only aware of two houses in the entire province being illegally used for business purposes. This inaccurate information is in response to a parliamentary question I asked in this regard. For the reply, click here. It is common knowledge that there are thousands of beneficiaries that have been placed on housing lists and some have waited for years and still have no … [Read more...] about Provincial housing department out of touch with illegal occupation of RDP houses
democratic alliance
Dora Nginza Hospital Operating Theatres Without Electricity
It has been reported to the DA that the operating theatres at Dora Nginza Hospital are without power and that the backup generators are not working. It is not yet known how long this has been the case, but the DA has been informed that patients with procedures scheduled for this morning have been turned away and told that their next available theatre dates available are only in July. Questions that the department needs to answer and address with immediate effect is why has this happened? … [Read more...] about Dora Nginza Hospital Operating Theatres Without Electricity
New East Cape DA Provincial Executive Named
The DA in the Eastern Cape held its provincial congress in Grahamstown yesterday, where a new executive was elected. New Provincial chairperson Edmund van Vuuren said; "I am enthralled to have been elected as Provincial Chairperson of the Democratic Alliance in the Eastern Cape. "My task, together with a dynamic and experienced executive, is to execute responsibilities entrusted to us, in such a way that the interests of our members will always be supreme. "The road ahead is still very … [Read more...] about New East Cape DA Provincial Executive Named
One Fifth of East Cape Municipalities Lack an Engineer
Nine municipalities in the Eastern Province do not have Technical Directors or City Engineers in their service. This represents one fifth of the 45 municipalities in the province. This problem is contrary to the government commitment to emphasise, prioritise, enhance and develop infrastructure delivery and to be a catalyst for growth of the real economy throughout the country this financial year. Municipalities are unattractive work places for aspiring engineers. Generally, engineers … [Read more...] about One Fifth of East Cape Municipalities Lack an Engineer
Ward 2 Newsletter: Easter School holidays are already upon us – where does the time go?
It has been a manic first quarter this year with the DA contesting all three ANC seat vacated due to a tragic motor accident earlier this year. As a result, council has been rendered largely more dysfunctional than usual as the ANC majority in council has been temporarily taken away due to their loss. As I write to you, I am preparing for my shift at the Ward 15 by-election in New Brighton. My colleagues and I on the Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC) have also been extremely busy … [Read more...] about Ward 2 Newsletter: Easter School holidays are already upon us – where does the time go?
More Consultants to do the Work
The MEC for Local Government and Traditional Affairs has failed in a general lack-lustre speech to justify to the Provincial Legislature why his department has to increase its budget by 8,8% to accommodate consultants. The 8,8% increase in the 2012/13 budget for the Department of Local Government and Traditional Affairs to R788,4 million raises alarm bells for the province. This increase is largely to fund consultants to oversee Operation Clean Audit and to increase capacity in financial … [Read more...] about More Consultants to do the Work
Consider this, Thandiswa Marawu
Good roads are the veins that will ensure that the heart of the Eastern Cape’s economic growth keeps beating. In his recent provincial budget speech the MEC for Finance, Phumulo Masualle, stated that the Eastern Cape had recovered well from a negative economic growth rate of 4,2% in the second quarter in 2009 to a positive 3% in the fourth quarter of 2011. He forecast further growth rates upward of 5% by 2016. The MEC for Roads and Public Works, Thandiswa Marawu, must therefore put steps in … [Read more...] about Consider this, Thandiswa Marawu
Time to Investigate the National Youth Development Agency
The latest exposé in the media (Daily Dispatch, 10 March), that the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) secured funding from the Department of Social Development to pay for several regional conferences on behalf of the ANC Youth League (ANCYL) again confirms what the Democratic Alliance has been telling members of the Bhisho Legislature repeatedly: that the NYDA is not serving the general youth of the Eastern Cape. I have today requested the Public Protector to investigate this matter. I … [Read more...] about Time to Investigate the National Youth Development Agency
Human Rights should not only mean political freedom
It is interesting that in South Africa Human Rights are often perceived as certain fundamental political rights pertaining to racial equality and the right to vote. I cannot blame people for having such a narrow view of human rights if we take into account our recent tainted history of inequality under apartheid. We should not however, forget that human rights encompass civil and political rights as well as economic, social and cultural rights. If any independent observer analyses the way the … [Read more...] about Human Rights should not only mean political freedom
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
Ward 9 News for January and February 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. Please take note that the Metro's e-mail system was offilne for approximately 3 weeks. If you have sent e-mails to me or your Ward Councillor and have not received any feedback please resend your mail. I hope you all had a wonderful, rested holiday. My wish for you is a prosperous 2012. I would once again appreciate your … [Read more...] about Ward 9 News for January and February 2012
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?
440% performance bonus bonanza for senior municipal officials
Six senior officials in the Senqu Municipality awarded themselves a 2011 performance bonus bonanza amounting to 1.6% of the operating budget for the towns of Barkley East and Lady Grey. Two of these officials received over R500 000 each. The percentage increase in bonuses from 2010 of R453 773 against R2,004 million in 2011 is an increase of over 440% year on year. Such self enrichment is the culture that is robbing the citizens of this province and the country especially the poor of much … [Read more...] about 440% performance bonus bonanza for senior municipal officials
Education Department officials no-show illustrates contempt for legislature
The no-show of officials from the Zwelitsha head office of the Department of Education in the Provincial Legislature on Thursday 23 February 2012, when the report on schools-visits was presented to the House illustrates contempt for this institution. This unpalatable conduct is a slap in the face of the MEC for Education, the Premier and for legislative processes in general. This disdainful behaviour is indicative of the mess the education is currently in. This is also a sign of disrespect … [Read more...] about Education Department officials no-show illustrates contempt for legislature
Amatola Sun – Another example of poor maintenance of local government assets
Government needs to take strong action to ensure that its assets are properly maintained. This requires strong leadership. Stop wasting money on things that are not necessary to have. Start prioritising the real needs of the people. We need to work smarter. Let's take the former Amatola Sun Hotel. Just over five years ago we as a government purchased the building that used to house the Amatola Sun Hotel. I have no idea why we did it, but I do know we paid R10-million for it. Today it's a … [Read more...] about Amatola Sun – Another example of poor maintenance of local government assets
