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Taking Legislature to the People brings accountability in a time of crisis

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Dear Editor

The Democratic Alliance (DA) expresses our deep empathy for the people in Nelson Mandela Bay, where devastating floods have tragically claimed the lives of at least four people, left nearly 3,000 residents destitute, and caused immense damage across the municipality.

As the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature convenes for the Taking Legislature to the People Programme, it is critical that our representatives are present in our communities, which are facing extraordinary hardship.

In Nelson Mandela Bay, you will find a city in ruin, dirty, dysfunctional, corrupt and generally in a state of paralysis. It is an indictment of the current coalition of dysfunction that, despite the severe floods in June, no steps were taken to maintain the stormwater drainage system.

The same applies to the lack of maintenance of electrical infrastructure, as well as deliberate sabotage of infrastructure for personal gain.

This is hardly surprising, considering that since 2009 there have been no less than 44 municipal managers and 11 mayors. Political and administrative instability creates a fertile environment for corruption to prosper, which can be no better illustrated than the fact that the metro’s financial statements show R22 billion in irregular, fruitless, and wasteful expenditure.

It is clear that the current coalition of dysfunction does not have the interests of the people at heart. We deserve better!

The same can be said about the ongoing violent crime and murder that continues to plague the streets of Nelson Mandela Bay. The coalition of dysfunction makes empty promises, takes no action, and more people die.

The impact of their lack of action is profound and far-reaching, leaving deep emotional scars that can last a lifetime. For those who survive, the trauma is not only physical but psychological, haunting them with feelings of fear, vulnerability, and grief. Families are shattered, losing loved ones in an instant, often without closure. The sense of safety is stripped away, replaced by anxiety and helplessness.

The people of the Eastern Cape deserve better. They deserve a government that doesn’t just react to crime but actively works to prevent it. Evidence-based policing allows for strategic deployment of law enforcement where it is most needed, which reduces the necessity for a heavy police presence while ensuring critical areas are covered.

The timing of this Legislature programme could not be more important. While the rains have subsided, the storm’s effects continue to ripple through the Bay. This is an opportunity for the Provincial Legislature to demonstrate its accountability and engage directly with the people of NMB when they need their government most.

The reports being discussed already make it clear that much needs to be done to improve service delivery and accountability at the provincial level. These include Health, Social Development, Economic Development and Human Settlements.

The “Taking Legislature to the People” Programme is not just an event—it is a call to action for each of us, as representatives of the people, to work towards tangible change. It is an opportunity for citizens to raise their voices, for public representatives to listen, and for government to be held accountable.

Together, we can create an Eastern Cape that provides opportunities, safety, and a quality of life for all its residents. The DA remains steadfast in building a caring society where everyone can thrive.

Regards

Dr Vicky Knoetze MPL
DA Leader of the Official Opposition in the Eastern Cape Legislature

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