Dear Editor My family and I would like to express our sincere gratitude to the public, the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature, political parties, the Van Stadens NG Kerk-congregation, family, friends and members of the media for their overwhelming support and encouragement during the illness of our husband and father, Pine Pienaar. Pine loved the Eastern Cape and its people. He is at peace now and we have found solace in the knowledge that his work made a difference in the lives of … [Read more...] about Letter of appreciation
pine pienaar
Filling of legislature vacancy
The DA in the Eastern Cape was rocked by the loss of one of its senior public representatives in the legislature, when Pine Pienaar (MPL) succumbed to cancer earlier last month. The vacancy that has arisen as a result of Pine Pienaar's passing will be filled by Eastern Cape, DA Provincial Leader, Athol Trollip who will return from parliament to the provincial legislature. Athol Trollip has elected to return to the province till the end of this term of office, in order to lead the … [Read more...] about Filling of legislature vacancy
Johan (Pine) Pienaar MPL passes away
Former Port Elizabeth Ward Councillor and DA member of the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature, Johan (Pine) Pienaar, passed away last night. Eastern Cape Provincial Leader, Athol Trollip said; "The DA is deeply shocked at the news of the passing of one of its most senior and prominent public representatives. Pine Pienaar has served his community and party in many different positions, he served as a DA councillor in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro and in the Provincial Legislature for the past … [Read more...] about Johan (Pine) Pienaar MPL passes away
EC Roads Department is robbing people of their basic right to mobility
The Eastern Cape Department of Roads is robbing the people of this province of their basic right of mobility by not fulfilling its core function of maintaining our roads infrastructure. Problems in this department highlight the broken chain of accountability that flows from MEC's right throughout the provincial government administration. Until there are consequences for poor performance nothing will change. Over 2 075 kilometres of tarred roads in our province have been passed over to the … [Read more...] about EC Roads Department is robbing people of their basic right to mobility
R72 toll announcement welcomed
The DA welcomes the announcement that there are no plans at present to toll the R72 coastal road between Port Elizabeth and East London. Motorists are already strapped for cash and cannot afford a further transport burden. Instead, the government should ensure that the economic veins of our province, namely our roads, are properly maintained. The DA has been of the opinion that the tolling of the R72 would not be viable and would result in exorbitant costs to motorists. It would also … [Read more...] about R72 toll announcement welcomed
Road contractors let down by Coega and Public Works
A Coega Development Corporation and Department of Roads and Public Works (DRPW) project has failed to deliver on its R1.5 billion plan to empower contractors and develop infrastructure in the Eastern Cape. The Roads Enterprise Development Programme (REDP) which began in 2010 had a budget of R1.5 billion and would run over three years. The project aimed to develop roads construction and create opportunities for 500 emerging and previously disadvantaged enterprises in all district … [Read more...] about Road contractors let down by Coega and Public Works
Urgent road repairs needed to save Baviaanskloof tourism
Owners of guest houses in the Baviaanskloof stand to lose their peak-season December income and may be forced to shed employees because the flood damaged access road into this World Heritage site has remained closed since heavy flooding last month. This road must be repaired as a matter of urgency. I have been informed that drainage has been improved on the Western side, and the road from Willowmore to Zandvlakte has been repaired. However, no repairs have been done on the Eastern side. While … [Read more...] about Urgent road repairs needed to save Baviaanskloof tourism
Excellent Service from Roads Emergency Line
Dear Editor Credit should be given where it's due. In this case I want to thank the personnel who work at the 24-hour roads emergency line (0800 644 644). My DA-colleague in the legislature, Veliswa Mvenya, phoned me at 05:15 last Sunday morning after she got lost on a dirt road in the dark while travelling from Port Elizabeth to East London. I phoned the emergency number and received excellent service from the gentleman on duty (unfortunately I didn't get his name). He immediately … [Read more...] about Excellent Service from Roads Emergency Line
Mandela Metro motorists urged to report stray animals
Animals that are left to graze on the curbs of busy roads in the Port Elizabeth area pose an extreme danger to motorists. At least five or six fatal accidents occur in the city per month which can be linked to animals being on the roads. This week I stood witness as a vehicle narrowly missed a cow while I was photographing cattle grazing on the Rocklands Road. I have today submitted questions for written reply to the MEC for Transport, Thandiswa Marawu, to find out what measures her … [Read more...] about Mandela Metro motorists urged to report stray animals
Eastern Cape matric students have limited access to libraries
A DA survey of public library opening hours in the Eastern Cape has revealed a concerning lack of accessibility for learners during the matric exam period. Many libraries in the province do not open at all on certain days or have short operating hours. In Port Elizabeth and East London some libraries do not open at all on weekends, while some close their doors at 1pm on a Friday. In East London for example, the Buffalo Flats and Parkside libraries do not open on Saturdays. While The Port … [Read more...] about Eastern Cape matric students have limited access to libraries
Urgent intervention required from provincial government as Eastern Cape roads collapse
Loss of life and infrastructure destruction by flooding, has hit our province hard during the past weeks. Millions of rands in damages were caused to the province's road infrastructure. I will write a letter to the Chairperson of Roads & Public Works portfolio committee and request an urgent meeting for the department officials to brief the committee about the short and long term plan to normalize the situation. Our economy in the Eastern Cape could be seriously damaged and jobs could … [Read more...] about Urgent intervention required from provincial government as Eastern Cape roads collapse
Motion tabled to prevent Van Stadens Bridge suicides
An 85th person committed suicide by jumping off the Van Stadens Bridge on Tuesday 9 October, making it the fourth case this year. The measures that have already been taken, such as cameras to monitor movement on the bridge, is clearly not enough. More must be done to ensure that people cannot gain access to the sides of the bridge at any point. I will today table in motion in the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature for a technical investigation into preventing further tragedies from happening … [Read more...] about Motion tabled to prevent Van Stadens Bridge suicides
Thank You to Roads Department
Dear Editor I must express my gratitude and appreciation towards the Roads Department of the Nelson Mandela Metro and the Provincial Department of Roads for addressing the problems on the dangerous Rocklands Roads with so much urgency and efficiency. This road was the scene of a tragic accident on 11 September where Grade 4 pupils, Bulelani Ndarala and Siviwe Mbetshu, were killed outside the Ankervas Primary School. I visited Ankervas with officials from the PE district office of the … [Read more...] about Thank You to Roads Department
No traffic summonses issued in EC for last three months
Officials of the Provincial Traffic Department have been unable to write out summonses to road users who break the law because the department ran out of stock three months ago in all districts. This implies that people with overloaded-, unroadworthy- and speeding vehicles have been getting away with their dangerous practices without any consequences. The fiasco is the direct cause of grossly poor management by the Department of Transport. The Eastern Cape has the two deadliest roads in the … [Read more...] about No traffic summonses issued in EC for last three months
Legislature sitting cancelled to avoid burning education issue
The fact that the ruling party in the Bhisho Legislature is doing everything possible to avoid a public debate to discuss poor service delivery in the province is more than just suspect. They are shielding the members of the Executive Council from the scrutiny which they get subjected to during House sittings. MECs have to answer the hard questions and provide answers during these sittings. The DA's request to the Speaker of the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature in terms of the rules that … [Read more...] about Legislature sitting cancelled to avoid burning education issue
