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DA Debates Motion On World AIDS Day

Speech by: Paul Willemburg MPL

“The stigma of HIV/AIDS unfortunately lives on”

  • Stigma is still rife and continues to drive the disease underground, hampering our efforts. Our health institutions need to stop isolating AIDS patients and putting them in separate queues when collecting their medication.
  • We need new innovative stigma-reduction programmes that have measurable outcomes.
  • To further reduce stigma, we need to start treating HIV/AIDS just like any other chronic disease.
  • “Test and Treat” is a great new initiative preventing those on treatment from infecting their sexual partners.
  • We need to start providing those from vulnerable groups such as Sex Workers and MSM, access to PrEP (Pre Exposure Prophylactics) – one Truvada tablet a day to prevent infection.

The full speech can be obtained here.

 

Speech by: Lebo More MPL

“Prevention is better than cure, let’s move for zero infections in the new year”

  • If government fails to ensure a comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education at schools then all other purported efforts to reduce infection rates in young people will be fruitless.
  • Let’s join efforts in fighting HIV/AIDS and build a conscious society.
  • Government needs to plan, budget and implement programmes in a quest to make a difference in this battle against HIV/AIDS.
  • Abstinence where possible, being honest with your partners a must and condomising a necessity.

The full speech can be obtained here

 

 

Media enquiries:

Paul Willemburg MPL

DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Sport, Recreation, Arts, Culture and Heritage

082 450 0815

 

Lebo More MPL

DA Spokesperson on Petitions

072 273 4487

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DA Debates Gauteng Social Development 2015/16 Annual Report

Speech by: Refiloe Nt’sekhe MPL

“Secrecy over transfers to NGOs will be exposed by the DA”

  • There is no detail of transfers to each of the 2598 NGOs in Gauteng.
  • The department had 1017 abnormal appointments out of a staff compliment of 5417.
  • The department had a 17.8% vacancy rate (910 posts). Of these 47.7% were of lower skill as in Level 1-2).
  • No people with disabilities were recruited in the department during this period.
  • Out of 4198 employees, 3016 used sick leave costing the department R19 million.

The full speech can be obtained here.

 

Speech by: Ashor Sarupen MPL

“The good, the bad and the ugly”

  • 49 individual consultants worked on 21 projects for a total of 896 work days, totalling over R2million in spend.
  • Only 75% of the EPWP grant given to the department was spent.
  • Domestic abuse is still a serious problem, drug addiction and gangsterism still plagues too many of our communities.
  • Women are disproportionately the victims of domestic violence, and many see no escape, trapping them into abusive relationships, despite the work by the department.

The full speech can be obtained here.

 

 

Media Enquiries:

Refiloe Nt’sekhe MPL

DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Social Development

060 558 8297

 

Ashor Sarupen

DA Gauteng Spokesperson on Finance

060 558 8303

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Premier Makhura: Will You Continue To Remain Silent On e-Tolls?

Revelations by the South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) that it is owed more than R11 billion in outstanding e-Toll fees is the strongest indication to date that motorists in Gauteng refuse to be taxed for making use of public roads.

Two years ago Gauteng Premier, David Makhura, established a review panel to look at the socio-economic impact e-Tolls would have on residents of the province. A welcome move, the report findings raised numerous issues including the lack of alternative affordable public transport in the province, as well as the slow progress made to redress Apartheid-spatial planning.

However, after pressure from the ANC’s national structures, Premier Makhura’s hand was forced to ensure the Provincial Government backed the project with minor adjustments to the fee structure.

Two years down the line, Gauteng’s motorists remain resolute in their stance against e-Tolls.

Earlier in the year, the ANC in Gauteng were punished at the polls in the Local Government Elections, and as the Secretary General of the party, Gwede Mantashe, claimed – e-Tolls were one of the major contributing factors to the downfall of the party in the province.

Premier Makhura must now make the hard choice, either he is with the people of Gauteng– as the active and responsive Premier he claims to be, or he can remain silent and continue to prove that ultimately he takes his orders from Luthuli House with little regard for the plight of the provinces residents.

The DA will continue to fight against this unjust taxation of our roads, and will continue to support organisations like OUTA who have pledged to defend citizens against SANRAL’s bullying tactics.

 

 

Media enquiries:

John Moodey

DA Gauteng Leader 

082 960 3743

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MEC Mashatile Must Release Documents On The Evaton Renewal Project

Evaton Renewal Project

The DA will write to Gauteng Cooperative Governance and Human Settlements MEC, Paul Mashatile, to request all documentation on projects rolled out through the Evaton Renewal Project since its inception in 2004.

12 years and R470 million later, the renewal project has achieved very little.

The initial intention of this project, to improve the township of Evaton, was commendable, however the execution and implementation over the past 12 years has been horrific.

Abused Public Funds

Despite the funds that have been poured into this project, Evaton still remains one of Gauteng’s most neglected townships.

MEC Mashatile must release all documentation and information on this project for the sake of transparency and accountability. Residents of Evaton have on numerous occasions requested the DA to investigate.

We will not stand idle whilst public funds are abused and no one is held to account.

 

Media enquiries:

Kingsol Chabalala MPL

DA Gauteng Constituency Head – Emfuleni

060 558 8299

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Mogale City Mayor Resigns Due To Ill Health

The DA has noted with sadness that the Executive Mayor of Mogale City Councillor Lynn Pannall has tendered her resignation as Executive Mayor effective immediately. Councillor Pannall took over the reins of the City following the August local government elections with enthusiasm, commitment and a rarely seen dedication to getting the job done.

Unfortunately ill health forced the Executive Mayor to cut back on her busy schedule and has now reached the point where it would be detrimental to both her health and the office of the Mayor for her to continue in this position.

The DA will now call on the Speaker to urgently convene a special council meeting to elect a new Mayor and ensure that the excellent work started by Councillor Pannall and her team is able to continue without any delay.

Media enquiries:

John Moodey

DA Gauteng Leader 

082 960 3743

 

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