John Steenhuisen

The following remarks were made today by DA Leader, John Steenhuisen MP, outside Eskom’s Megawatt Park in Johannesburg. Steenhuisen was joined by DA Gauteng Caucus Leader, Solly Msimanga MPL, DA Gauteng Chairperson, Mike Moriarty MPL, and Public Enterprises Spokesperson, Ghaleb Cachalia MP: Fellow South Africans, Yesterday evening Cyril Ramaphosa’s ANC government once again made history, albeit for the wrong reasons, as Eskom announced it would implement Stage 6 rolling blackouts for the … [Read more...] about Today we stand in front of a different ruin to Cyril

Dear MyPE The governance crisis in Nelson Mandela Bay Metro has reached a point where urgent intervention can no longer be delayed. We simply cannot stand by and watch as one of South Africa’s biggest cities collapses under the coalition of corruption made up of the UDM, ANC, AIC, PA and UF, and spearheaded by the UDM’s Mayor Mongameli Bobani. It is critical that National Government intervene as a matter of urgency. They have the Constitutional power to step in and take over the running of … [Read more...] about NMB’s R3bn IPTS grant recall by Treasury will bankrupt the Metro

Dear MyPE The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality is on the verge of collapse. The City has been brought to its knees by the UDM’s Mayor, Cllr Mongameli Bobani, and his coalition of corruption consisting of the UDM, ANC, AIC, PA and the United Front. Since his election as Mayor in September 2018 Nelson Mandela Bay has regressed on all governance, financial and service delivery indicators. The controversial drain cleaning tender awarded in December 2018, commonly known as the ‘Great Drain … [Read more...] about Parliamentary task team to save Nelson Mandela Bay from collapse

Dear MyPE and fellow South Africans It’s great to be here in the Eastern Cape – a province with so much untapped potential. Under the right government, the Eastern Cape could really shine. It has the resources, it has the natural beauty and it has the people. All that’s missing is committed and honest leadership. And I assure you, we’re working on that too. But right now, there is another shadow hanging over this province. The drought that has gripped large parts of the country threatens … [Read more...] about Shelve the name change and focus on beating the Eastern Cape drought

Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) has noted the resignation of ANC MP Zukisa Faku, former mayor of Buffalo City Metro, from Parliament earlier this week. The DA will today be writing to the Secretary of Parliament to determine what the exact circumstances are that surround Ms Faku’s election and subsequent resignation as Member of Parliament. Should it turn out that Ms Faku was never eligible for election, Parliament should conduct an urgent review to establish where and how their … [Read more...] about Parliament must answer urgent questions

Dear MyPE Stock theft has become out of control in Venterstad and the local police is doing nothing to protect farmers from a dangerous syndicate operating in the area. On Friday, 12 April 2019, I was taken on a night patrol by local farmers, who in the absence of an honest and professional police service, have to patrol their farms until the early hours of the morning to protect their livelihoods. I was joined by EC Premier Campaign Spokesperson for Agriculture and Land Reform, … [Read more...] about Lack of specialised units threatens livelihoods of Eastern Cape farmers

Dear MyPE The DA will be submitting a supplementary affidavit to Parliament’s Ethics Committee detailing the latest allegations against ANC MP, Vincent Smith, relating to payments he received from Bosasa. The DA first referred Smith to the Joint Committee on Ethics and Members' Interests in September 2018 when it emerged that he allegedly received security upgrades and other benefits from Bosasa over a three year period starting 2015. Testimony from former Bosasa COO, Angelo Agrizzi, at … [Read more...] about #Bosasagate: R100K per month to Vincent Smith

Dear MyPE The DA notes comments by Bosasa executive director, Papa Leshabane, confirming that the company did pay for security upgrades for Gwede Mantashe and that Mantashe “has called him for assistance”, casting further doubts on the Minister’s claims, on 30 September, denying the security upgrades. Minister Mantashe categorically denied having any knowledge of who paid for the security upgrades at his house. He also, unequivocally, stated that the ANC had paid for these upgrades. This … [Read more...] about Bosasa executive contradicts Mantashe’s claims

Dear MyPE The most recent Victims of Crime Survey, released by Statistics South Africa (StatsSA) today, reveal that South Africans are now losing trust in the South African Police Service (SAPS) at an alarming rate, and are increasingly being prevented from living their lives to the fullest by a fear of crime. According to the report over half of South Africans fail to report incidents of housebreakings to the police because they do not believe that the police can do anything about … [Read more...] about South Africans are rapidly losing trust in SAPS

Dear MyPE Today the DA visited the family of the murdered Gelvandale teenager Zavier Jassen. After our meeting with the Jassen family, we met with the commanders at the Gelvandale police station to talk about the challenges they experience policing the gang-ridden northern areas of Nelson Mandela Bay. Zavier was seventeen years old and a learner at the Gelvandale High School. He was gunned down last week Wednesday close to Kobus Road in Gelvandale, Port Elizabeth, in gang-related violence. … [Read more...] about No plan exists to deal with gang violence in Nelson Mandela Bay