Nearly a decade later and with R38,5 million already spent, the only thing to show for the provincial government’s Bhisho Precinct pipedream is a patch of vacant land and empty promises. The staggering amount already spent on this failed project was revealed in response to a parliamentary question from the Democratic Alliance, by Premier Oscar Mabuyane. Download Response This catalytic project would see seven provincial departments that currently rent office …
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DA launches Eastern Cape Water Watch initiative
March 22nd, 2022 As the world celebrates international World Water Day today, the Democratic Alliance has launched our Water Watch Eastern Cape initiative. This initiative, which will monitor the water quality results of all Eastern Cape municipalities on a quarterly basis, will serve as a watchdog for the public because, more often than not, municipalities don’t release compromised water quality results. We have experienced, first hand, how the province’s two metros, Nelson Mandela …
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The Democratic Alliance extends its condolences on the passing of Nkosi Ngangomhlaba Matanzima.
February 23rd, 2022 The Democratic Alliance would like to extend its sincerest condolences on the passing of Traditional Leader, Nkosi Ngangomhlaba Matanzima. Indeed, a great tree has fallen. Our heartfelt sympathies to his family, the House of Traditional Leaders and the Moral Regeneration Movement on his passing. Matanzima was one of the founding members of the Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders and served the people of this province diligently and with integrity …
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Little substance to EC State of the Province Address
February 17th, 2022 Premier Oscar Mabuyane is living in a parallel universe – there is his state of the province, given this evening, and real state of the province. Mabuyane is acting as if everything is fine, whilst the province falls apart. The Premier spent a great deal of his time reporting on successes implemented by other stakeholders, and very little feedback on what his own administration has accomplished. He failed to address …
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SOPA needs to be more than empty promises
February 16th, 2022 Premier Oscar Mabuyane needs to show that he is committed to help solve the problems we, the people of the Eastern Cape, are facing. We do not need more empty promises. We need action, hope and inspiration. The Premier needs to spell out how he will deal with the financial crisis in Health and Education and address collapsing local government, along with the gangsterism that is impacting our municipalities. Our …
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Place Health and Education under administration to save EC from cash crisis
February 7th, 2022 The Eastern Cape is facing a dire cash shortage, driven by the unchecked spending of the departments of Health and Education, which is threatening provincial government’s ability to provide the most basic services to the people of this province. These departments, which account for 75% of the total provincial budget, have become a law unto themselves and need to be placed under administration as a matter of urgency, if we …
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SIU Report a shocking revelation of rampant Eastern Cape Covid-19 looting
January 25th, 2022 Shocking revelations in the Special Investigating Unit’s Report on Covid-19 procurement have shown the extent to which Eastern Cape government officials colluded with suppliers to loot state coffers. These officials felt no shame as they helped themselves to funds meant to assist residents of the province during an unprecedented crisis. They have robbed residents of future opportunities. In the Eastern Cape alone, contracts valued at over R2,9 billion are under …
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Nqaba Bhanga sworn in as official leader of the opposition in EC Legislature
December 9th, 2021
Today the Democratic Alliance’s Eastern Cape Provincial Leader and former Nelson Mandela Bay Mayor, Nqaba Bhanga, was sworn in as a member of the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature. Bhanga returns as the official leader of the opposition in the legislature after having moved to the Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB) council in March last year and serving as NMB’s mayor since December 2020. Bobby Stevenson will return to chief whip. Bhanga’s …
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Action and follow through needed to steer province to a better future
February 24th, 2020 Last year the Democratic Alliance called on Premier Oscar Mabuyane to show strong leadership during his inaugural State of the Province Address. We called for a commitment that action would be taken against public representatives and government officials guilty of corruption, follow through that would lead to convictions and jail time for offenders, and to make the urgent intervention in collapsing municipalities a top priority. But, despite the countless promises, …
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DA demands Johann Mettler be reinstated as NMB City Manager
February 12th, 2020 The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Eastern Cape has written to Premier Oscar Mabuyane and have requested that he urgently intervenes in Nelson Mandela Bay to ensure that Johann Mettler is reinstated as City Manager. The ongoing disciplinary case against Mettler is little more than a witch hunt, and the consequences of his ongoing suspension could cost the city billions. (letter attached) National Treasury has seemingly made good on its …
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