Phumzile Van Damme

Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) is pleased that the Committee of Communications and Digital Technologies has agreed to invite Facebook to meet with the committee. We trust that Facebook, in good faith, will accept the offer to appear before the committee, in order to build a relationship with Parliament and clarify concerns. From the DA’s perspective the aim is not to use the opportunity to shut down protected freedom of speech but to deal with the proliferation of fake news in … [Read more...] about Facebook Invited to Meeting

Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) will be requesting that Facebook be summoned to Parliament to account on several matters including its role in misinformation and the protection of the digital privacy of its South African users. Tomorrow the committee will have its first meeting of the year where the draft programme of the first term of the 2021 parliamentary calendar will be discussed. While the programme includes necessary procedures Parliament needs to be engaged in, it is way … [Read more...] about Facebook to appear in front of Parliament?

Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) has noted comments from some quarters characterising South Africa’s media as “enemies.” Such language is dangerous and could result in further physical violence against members of the media as we have already witnessed in our country by supporters of some political parties whose leaders have expressed such sentiments. We stand firmly behind the constitutional right to freedom of the media against any of characterisation as “enemies.” The “fourth … [Read more...] about South Africa’s media characterised as “enemies”

Dear MyPE Tomorrow the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies is due present its proposal to extend the payment of television (TV) license fees to include streaming services. The Democratic Alliance (DA) encourages members of the public to make their voices heard by submitting their views on the proposal. It is only through participatory democracy, where everyone has a say, that our democracy will thrive. The Proposal is contained in the Draft White Paper on Audio and … [Read more...] about Only 6 days left for public comment on proposal to increase SABC license fees

Dear MyPE A reply to a Democratic Alliance (DA) parliamentary question has revealed that the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) has spent a staggering R6 million on catering since 2018. See reply here. As it stands the SABC has projected a budget shortfall of R1.5 billion due to a significant drop in advertising revenue as a result of the devastating economic impact of Covid-19. It is also faced with a R700 million shortfall, separate from the R1.5 billion. The SABC was … [Read more...] about SABC wastes R6 million on catering, despite its financial difficulties

Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) is considering legislative options to specifically and explicitly make online disinformation campaigns designed to foment hatred and incite violence, a crime. This follows the revelation today that Sifiso Jeffrey Gwala, a former soldier, is the person behind the “anonymous” Twitter account previously known as @uLerato_pillay, which has been accused of inciting xenophobic tensions in South Africa. The Constitutional Court recently gave Parliament 18 … [Read more...] about DA takes a firm stance against incitement of xenophobic violence on social media following @Lerato_Pillay exposé

Dear MyPE The Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams has today committed to ensuring that the final version of so-called “internet censorship” regulations will not infringe on the constitutional right to freedom of expression. This was in response to a question posed by the Democratic Alliance (DA) to her this morning in a meeting of the Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies as to whether Government would go ahead with the … [Read more...] about Minister commits to no internet censorship in final FPB regulations and extends deadline for public comments

Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) is opposed to the South African Broadcast Corporation’s (SABC) proposal to increase TV license fees. Briefing the Select Committee on Public Enteprises and Communications in the NCOP today, the SABC’s CFO, Yolande van Biljon stated that a proposal to increases TV licenses fees had been drafted and sent to the Minister of Communications, Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams. The DA is opposed to any additional - what would be in essence - taxation of already … [Read more...] about NO to SABC’s bid to increase TV licence fees

Dear MyPE The failing ANC government in the Makana Local Municipality must shoulder the full responsibility for Day Zero approaching the residents of Makhanda. Today I visited Settlers Dam, the main water supply dam to the western side of Makhanda. The water level of this dam is now standing at 14% of capacity. I was joined by Kevin Mileham, EC Premier Campaign Spokesperson for Basic Services, Jane Cowley, Frontier Constituency Leader, and local DA Councillors. (pictures … [Read more...] about Makhanda in crisis

Dear MyPE It has been 25 days since the Bosasa scandal broke. The ANC governments’ silence and inaction on this matter calls into question President Cyril Ramaphosa’s apparent commitment to rooting out corruption which is endemic in the Party and the government. President Ramaphosa talked tough on corrupt officials at the United Nations yesterday, saying “those who are found to have done wrong should be able to face the might of the law”. He also claimed that South Africa’s criminal … [Read more...] about Inaction on Bosasa corruption speaks louder than words

Dear MyPE The DA encourages all South Africans, from all political affiliations to come out in their millions on Tuesday, 8 August to defend our democracy against the corrupt and captured. While the main march #NoConfidence will be held in Cape Town, the DA has organized events in all 9 provinces for those who are not able to travel to Cape Town. The DA’s Motion of No Confidence in Jacob Zuma is an opportunity for us all to stand up to corruption and get rid of President Zuma and his … [Read more...] about #NoConfidence Event in Port Elizabeth

Dear MyPE The DA can confirm that the Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA) will proceed with a disciplinary hearing against Bell Pottinger following the DA’s complaint that it sowed racial divisions in South Africa. The DA welcomes the PRCA’s decision to institute a disciplinary hearing into the conduct of the Guptas’ PR firm. Both the DA and Bell Pottinger are now required to submit summaries of our cases and copies of all documents, to be considered as evidence, … [Read more...] about Bell Pottinger disciplinary hearing (Ed: Spanking?) to commence on 18 August

Dear MyPE Bell Pottinger has until the close of business today to respond to the DA’s complaint that it has violated the Public Relations and Communications Association’s (PRCA) Professional Charter and Code of Conduct, by which the company is bound. PRCA agreed to the DA’s request for an investigation into Bell Pottinger after the Gupta emails revealed that the company launched a racially charged propaganda campaign for the benefit of their clients, the Guptas. Clause 4 of the PRCA’s … [Read more...] about Time running out for Bell Pottinger