letter

Dear Editor The DA in the Eastern Cape reaffirms our commitment to working with our colleagues in the National Assembly and the broader community to stop the proposed relocation of the seat of the Eastern Cape Division of the High Court from Makhanda to Bhisho. Yesterday, 28 November 2024, the Provincial Legislature debated a DA motion that focused on the disastrous impact of the proposed relocation. During the debate, I emphasised that relocating the seat of the court would be a death … [Read more...] about Fight against the relocation of Makhanda High Court seat continues

Dear Editor The DA will request an urgent investigation into the Eastern Cape Legislature's wasteful Information and Communication Technology (ICT) expenditure, following revelations that millions of rands are being squandered for audio-visual streaming during plenary sittings. In response to questions I posed in the Legislature Oversight Committee (LOC), it was confirmed that R85,000.00 is being spent per day, per plenary sitting on audio-visual services because the Legislature has not … [Read more...] about Millions wasted on audio-visual service providers at EC Legislature

Dear Editor The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Nelson Mandela Bay is very concerned for public safety in Nelson Mandela Bay, after a report on streetlight repairs to the municipality’s Electricity and Energy Standing Committee, shows that the most recent count of streetlight faults stands at almost 1,400. The DA believes that above and beyond this officially reported number, the true count of failures is much, much higher. We call for these repairs to be addressed, urgently, and in a much … [Read more...] about Urgent action needed to address NMB’s failure to repair streetlights

Dear Editor The adjustment budget presented by Finance MEC Mlungisi Mvoko yesterday, underscores that the Eastern Cape government is doing little more than paying lip service to addressing unemployment and crime – two of the biggest crises facing this province. After touting that government intends to grow the economy by 2%, the MEC slashed the budget of the Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEDEAT), the very department tasked with growing the economy, … [Read more...] about EC Adjustment budget cuts R402 million from economic development

Dear Editor More than a decade of broken promises and squandered funds have left the Bhisho Precinct project as nothing more than a costly patch of vacant land. With expenditure now reaching R65 million, this project has failed the residents of the Eastern Cape. Originally envisioned as a central hub to house seven provincial departments that currently rent costly office space in Buffalo City, the Bhisho Precinct was intended to save over R200 million annually in rental costs and improve … [Read more...] about R65 Million Wasted on Stalled Bhisho Precinct Project

Dear Editor The DA in Buffalo City welcomes the news that the Instrument Landing System (ILS) flight procedure at the East London King Phalo Airport has been approved by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA), but this is only the first step in the right direction. Over the past few months, repeated shutdowns have been experienced at the King Phalo Airport. On several occasions, flights were delayed or cancelled, and passengers had to cancel their travel plans. Many lost … [Read more...] about EL airport needs full landing system calibration, not just “approval”

Dear Editor The DA in the Eastern Cape is deeply concerned that residents of our Province face the highest chance of violent murder, of all provinces in the country. The latest crime statistics, released today for the second quarter of 2024/25 (July – September 2024), tragically confirm that the Eastern Cape is the murder capital of South Africa. The bloodbath experienced in the province paints a horrifying picture for the people of the Eastern Cape. A total of 1,315 murders were … [Read more...] about Eastern Cape confirmed as the murder capital of the country

Dear Editor As we mark the start of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children, we must remember that the fight against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is ongoing and requires 365 days a year of focus. Focusing on it for just 16 days is not enough. GBV is out of control in the Eastern Cape, where women and children are continuously murdered, sexually assaulted, and attacked. Today, I was joined by DA EC Provincial Chairperson Yusuf Cassim MPL, DA Shadow MEC for … [Read more...] about GBV Survivors need 365 days of support, not 16 days of lip service

On 25 November 2024, the Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Eastern Cape will be marking the start of 16 Days of no violence against women and children with a peaceful protest in Nelson Mandela Bay. The DA will protest at the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Ward 11 office in Schauderville in Gqeberha, in support of the Enough Now organisation, which is advocating for the establishment of a victim support centre for abused women at the ward office. Enough Now has been following all the right … [Read more...] about 16 Days of no violence