Education is grinding to a standstill in the Eastern Cape following the latest illegal action by Sadtu which has swept across the province this morning. The latest information I have received from the districts is that Sadtu has instructed — and in some cases forced — officials at these offices to vacate the premises. This [...]

The Democratic Alliance has offered legal assistance in a civil claim for a 62-year-old pensioner who was assaulted by the mayor of Tarkastad last week. The victim, Mati (Felicia) Joka, received severe chest injuries after she was attacked by the mayor, Khayalethu Nqiqhi, following an altercation on service delivery.

This updates my statement this morning in relation to opposition parties being excluded from the official delegation which was to accompany the National Council of Provinces ad hoc committee when they hold public hearings in the province on Thursday on the Protection of State Information Bill. Subsequent to my letter I was contacted by the [...]

In a shocking abuse of power and state resources the Eastern Cape Legislature has selected only ANC MPLs to officially accompany the National council of Provinces ad hoc committee when they hold public hearings in the province on Thursday on the Protection of State Information Bill.  Notice; NCOP hearings Protection of State Information Bill This [...]

We as the DA support our councillor in King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality (KSD), Raymond Knock, who was suspended in absentia yesterday. After 2011 elections the DA had, for the first time, councillors in each and every municipality in the former Transkei. We are therefore expecting to see an impact in these municipalities where the DA [...]

The two-day lekgotla hosted by the Premier for members of the Executive Council, Mayors and CEO’s of parastatals needs to engage in some very serious introspection on the way forward for this province. Top of the agenda needs to be the issue of job creation and how we can make this a winning province which [...]

The current Municipal Manager of Bitou Municipality (Plettenberg Bay) has been accepted as Municipal Manager of Sundays River Municipality despite being found guilty of financial misconduct. The incumbent, Lonwabo Ngoqo has been found guilty on four of seven financial misconduct charges brought against him in 2011. Despite a less than favourable financial situation at Sunday’s [...]

The Democratic Alliance notes, sadly with no suprise, the Provincial Treasury’s demands that the Department of Health (DoH) cuts its budgetary expenditure by over R200 million. Year on year, the DA has warned departmental officials that unless they immediately implement financial austerity measures, the department would find itself in the position it is today.

The Democratic Alliance, through its persistent and continuous debates and interaction with the Department of Education, is pleased to announce that more than 1 500 of 2 103 temporary educators have, as an interim measure, been appointed in substantive vacant posts. This will relieve the pressure on those schools with a dire shortage of teachers [...]

The Eastern Cape Department of Roads has not budgeted for emergency road repairs caused by flooding. During my reply to the 2010/11 Annual report debate on Roads and Public Works in the legislature today, I highlighted this issue.