The DA won’t abandon the people of Tshwane to the ANC-EFF puppet mayor

NOTE TO EDITORS: The statement below is an amended version of the statement that had gone out earlier. Please note the edit in bold in the last paragraph.

Attention broadcasters: Afrikaans and English audio clips attached.

The DA will keep fighting for the people of Tshwane, and for effective, clean, and corruption-free government. We always knew that coalitions would be difficult, and that unaccountable parties can be manipulated to help bring the ANC back to power. But we will not give up on coalitions where the DA and our partners have a majority, and this includes Tshwane.

Yesterday seven councillors of the multi-party coalition in Tshwane betrayed their voters, and helped to install an ANC-EFF puppet mayor. This a temporary setback, but this coalition of corruption poses a significant threat to service delivery and the financial sustainability of the capital city, at a time when a bold financial recovery plan is essential.

The last time an ANC puppet ran Tshwane the city was left with a R4,3 billion operating deficit. This happened when the ANC provincial government in Gauteng unlawfully dissolved Tshwane’s municipal council. For a disastrous period of seven months the city was placed under administration, and left without councillors to assist residence or hold officials to account.

The DA forced the administrators out with a court order, but the damage done on their watch is yet to be fully repaired. In fact, the ANC in Gauteng has never accounted or compensated for the damage done on their watch, and now they have lined up for another round of disastrous governance. What is most important now is a credible financial recovery plan for the city that addressing the breakdown of systems and controls in Tshwane identified by the Auditor-General.

The DA and our coalition partners will take urgent steps to identify the seven traitors, and to remove them. This will restore multi-party coalition’s majority in Tshwane. But in the meantime, there is urgent work to the done to ensure that the capital city isn’t destroyed in the meantime. This rescue plan starts with the adjustment budget that Tshwane will have to pass in the next few weeks. The DA will work with or without our partners to introduce a set of measures that need to be taken to restore Tshwane’s finances.

Rand Water’s failure to secure its infrastructure leaves residents without water

The lack of proactive maintenance and securing of Rand Water’s infrastructure across the province has resulted in many residents without access to a reliable supply of water.

Today, the Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng conducted an oversight inspection of the Rand Water pipeline in Primrose, Ekurhuleni. We were dismayed to discover that the Rand Water infrastructure is not properly secured which meant that Rand Water is not doing regular site visits on its infrastructure and also not proactively maintaining infrastructure.

See pictures here, here, here and here.

We found that the water chambers are left open with easy access for vandals to tamper and vandalize infrastructure.

The bursts since last Thursday left residents of Primrose and surrounding areas, Malvern, Bezuidenhout Valley, Klipfontein View, Alexandra and Yeoville without access to water as the system is battling to recover due to demand being higher than the capacity to pump water to reservoirs.

The longer repairs take the longer residents are without water. This means low pressure to no water for higher lying areas as reservoirs take longer to recover.

In addition, the lack of security at the Rand Water site is very worrying as it also poses a danger to our residents, particularly children who may play around the infrastructure.

See video here.

There is an urgent need for a plan to be put in place to secure all our critical infrastructure from vandalism and tampering.

We once again urge all our residents to use water sparingly, report leaks and allow the systems to properly recover as it may take a few days before water levels are back to normal.

The DA won’t abandon the people of Tshwane to the ANC-EFF puppet mayor

NOTE TO EDITORS: The statement below is an amended version of two statements that had gone out earlier. Please note the edit in bold in the last paragraph.

Attention broadcasters: Afrikaans and English audio clips attached.

The DA will keep fighting for the people of Tshwane, and for effective, clean, and corruption-free government. We always knew that coalitions would be difficult, and that unaccountable parties can be manipulated to help bring the ANC back to power. But we will not give up on coalitions where the DA and our partners have a majority, and this includes Tshwane.

Yesterday seven councillors of the multi-party coalition in Tshwane betrayed their voters, and helped to install an ANC-EFF puppet mayor. This a temporary setback, but this coalition of corruption poses a significant threat to service delivery and the financial sustainability of the capital city, at a time when a bold financial recovery plan is essential.

The last time an ANC puppet ran Tshwane the city was left with a R4,3 billion operating deficit. This happened when the ANC provincial government in Gauteng unlawfully dissolved Tshwane’s municipal council. For a disastrous period of seven months the city was placed under administration, and left without councillors to assist residence or hold officials to account.

The DA forced the administrators out with a court order, but the damage done on their watch is yet to be fully repaired. In fact, the ANC in Gauteng has never accounted or compensated for the damage done on their watch, and now they have lined up for another round of disastrous governance. What is most important now is a credible financial recovery plan for the city that addressing the breakdown of systems and controls in Tshwane identified by the Auditor-General.

The DA and our coalition partners will take urgent steps to identify the seven traitors, and to remove them. This will restore multi-party coalition’s majority in Tshwane. But in the meantime, there is urgent work to the done to ensure that the capital city isn’t destroyed in the meantime. This rescue plan starts with the adjustment budget that Tshwane will have to pass in the next few weeks. The DA will work with our partners to introduce a set of measures that need to be taken to restore Tshwane’s finances.

The DA won’t abandon the people of Tshwane to the ANC-EFF puppet mayor

Attention broadcasters: Afrikaans and English audio clips are attached.

The DA will keep fighting for the people of Tshwane, and for an effective, clean, and corruption-free government. We always knew that coalitions would be difficult, and that unaccountable parties can be manipulated to help bring the ANC back to power. But we will not give up on coalitions where the DA and our partners have a majority, and this includes Tshwane.

Yesterday seven councillors of the multi-party coalition in Tshwane betrayed their voters, and helped to install an ANC-EFF puppet mayor. This a temporary setback, but this coalition of corruption poses a significant threat to service delivery and the financial sustainability of the capital city, at a time when a bold financial recovery plan is essential.

The last time an ANC puppet ran Tshwane the city was left with a R4,3 billion operating deficit. This happened when the ANC provincial government in Gauteng unlawfully dissolved Tshwane’s municipal council. For a disastrous period of seven months the city was placed under administration, and left without councillors to assist residence or hold officials to account.

The DA forced the administrators out with a court order, but the damage done on their watch is yet to be fully repaired. In fact, the ANC in Gauteng has never accounted or compensated for the damage done on their watch, and now they have lined up for another round of disastrous governance. What is most important now is a credible financial recovery plan for the city that addressing the breakdown of systems and controls in Tshwane identified by the Auditor-General.

The DA and our coalition partners will take urgent steps to identify the seven traitors, and to remove them. This will restore multi-party coalition’s majority in Tshwane. But in the meantime, there is urgent work to the done to ensure that the capital city isn’t destroyed in the meantime. This rescue plan starts with the adjustment budget that Tshwane will have to pass in the next few weeks. The DA will work without our partners to introduce a set of measures that need to be taken to restore Tshwane’s finances.

DA to assess the state of infrastructure at Durban Deep Primary school and Braamfischer Primary School

Tomorrow, Thursday, 2 March 2023, the Democratic Alliance (DA) Gauteng Shadow MEC for Education, Khume Ramulifho MPL, will conduct oversight inspections at Durban Deep Primary School and Braamfischer Primary School in Roodepoort.

The purpose of the oversight inspections is to assess the state of the infrastructure at Durban Deep Primary School and the progress made in the construction of a brick-and-mortar at Braamfischer Primary School.

The DA has been reliably informed that the construction has resumed at Braamfischer Primary School. But unfortunately, the department has dragged its feet far too long in completing a brick-and-mortar school at Braamfischer Primary School, as the building project was incepted five years ago.

The DA will engage the management of both schools to ascertain possible solutions to the infrastructure challenges they are faced daily.

Members of the media are invited, and there will be an opportunity for interviews and photographs.

The details of the oversight inspections are as follows:

Date:2 March 2023

Oversight inspection one

Venue: Durban Deep Primary School, 12 Enoc Sontonga Street, Durban Deep, Roodepoort 1725.

Time: 10:00-10:45

Oversight inspection two

Venue: Braamfischer Primary School, Stand 2513 Phase 2, Jackie Ncube Dr, Roodepoort, 1725.

Time: 11:00-11:45

Gauteng loses a further 18000 jobs in the last quarter

The loss of jobs in Gauteng further burdens residents who are already losing economic opportunities because of loadshedding and its effects on water supply and municipal services. According to the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) released for the fourth quarter of 2022, unemployment in Gauteng currently stands at 34%. This is a slight increase from 33.7% during the third quarter of 2022.

In the context of other provinces, the survey noted, “Large employment increases were recorded in Western Cape (up by 167 000), North West (up by 23 000), Eastern Cape (up by 20 000) and Northern Cape (up by 12 000). Conversely, employment losses were recorded in Limpopo (down by 20 000), Gauteng (down by 18 000), Mpumalanga (down by 13 000) and Free State (down by 3 000) during the same period. Western Cape recorded the biggest quarter-to-quarter change in employment with an increase of 6,9%.”

Gauteng residents continue to lose work opportunities, despite the Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG) having several programmes in place that are meant to equip our unemployed residents with skills to help them find long-term employment opportunities.

Currently, there are 2 523 000 unemployed residents, 3 589 000 not economically active residents and 599 000 discouraged work seekers in the province.

Loadshedding and the rising crime levels in the province harm investor confidence. While the GPG is not directly responsible for creating permanent employment opportunities, they do have a responsibility to ensure a business-friendly environment for the private sector and international investors to invest in our economy.

There is much work to be done to enhance work opportunities. A capable government will have to understand the changing nature of the world of work and the disruption experienced due to the pandemic.

Sectors such as energy and ICT are exploding with opportunities, but our jobless and especially the unemployed youth, are in no position to access the skills they will need in the future. Moreover, even tech-savvy youngsters are not capitalising on the wide variety of open-source learning opportunities that are available for free.

Attracting and retaining talent in Gauteng will require a new approach, given that many sectors are experimenting with a four-day workweek, remote opportunities, gig economies, and open Artificial Intelligence. Gauteng will have to become the province where infrastructure and basic services are reliable and an “always on” culture is enhanced with reliable and fast connectivity for every job seeker.

The DA is already implementing many innovative solutions where we govern around the country: https://www.da.org.za/where-we-govern, and we are poised to future-proof the residents of Gauteng by slashing red tape, inviting independent power producers onto the grid, and connecting people to opportunities.

Three Gauteng Hospitals and 71 clinics run out of diesel

Three Gauteng public hospitals and 71 clinics have run out of diesel in the last year, causing service delivery delays, water shortages, thefts, equipment damage and fridge failures.

This is revealed by Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo Ralehoko in a written reply to my questions in the Gauteng Legislature.

The Jubilee, Bheki Mlangeni, and Far East Rand hospitals ran out of diesel, as well as 20 Tshwane clinics and 51 clinics in the West Rand.

The MEC blames the shortages of diesel on load-shedding and gives the following effects when diesel runs out:

• Fridge failures which lead to non-adherence to cold chain processes and faulty fridges.

• Generators being damaged.

• Damage to lTC equipment.

• Increase in theft and losses.

• Telephone lines and Network connectivity affected.

• Services delivery delayed (mainly night duty).

• Water tankers can‘t pump water to facilities due to load-shedding and diesel shortage.

The annual diesel budget for the 2022/23 financial year which ends on 31 March was R142 million, but R148 million had already been spent by 30 January 2023.

It is inexcusable that so many hospitals and clinics have run out of diesel, causing suffering to patients and damaging equipment that will need to be repaired at extra cost.

The MEC also needs to explain why Tshwane and West Rand clinics ran out of diesel but not clinics in other areas.

The way forward is to ensure an adequate budget for diesel supply, and fast-tracking the installation of solar power so that hospitals and clinic are less reliant on erratic Eskom electricity supply.

DA to assess the impact of loadshedding at Tembisa Hospital

Today, Wednesday,1 March 2023, the Democratic Alliance (DA) Tembisa Political Head, Refiloe Nt’sekhe MPL will conduct an oversight inspection at Tembisa Hospital.

The purpose of the oversight is to assess the impact of the load-shedding at the hospital.

This follows allegations that there have been several deaths of minors reported at the hospital as a result of load-shedding. It is further alleged that the hospital has been unable to secure sufficient fuel for its generator and the parents of the deceased minors have not been informed of these challenges.

The DA will engage with the hospital management to ascertain whether these allegations are true or false and get further insight on the challenges that the hospital is faced daily.

We will also determine the impact of load-shedding in hindering this hospital from delivering quality and adequate health care services.

Members of the media are invited and there will be an opportunity for interviews and photographs.

Details of the event are as follows:

Date: 1 March 2023

Time: 10:00-11:00

Venue: Tembisa Hospital, 539-541 Reverend R.T.J. Namane Dr, Hospital View, Tembisa, 1632.

DA to assess the impact of loadshedding at Tembisa Hospital

Tomorrow, Wednesday,1 March 2023, the Democratic Alliance (DA) Tembisa Political Head, Refiloe Nt’sekhe MPL will conduct an oversight inspection at Tembisa Hospital.

The purpose of the oversight is to assess the impact of the load-shedding at the hospital.

This follows allegations that there have been several deaths of minors reported at the hospital as a result of load-shedding. It is further alleged that the hospital has been unable to secure sufficient fuel for its generator and the parents of the deceased minors have been informed of these challenges.

The DA will engage with the hospital management to ascertain whether these allegations are true or false and get further insight into the challenges that the hospital is faced daily.

We will also determine the impact of load-shedding in hindering this hospital from delivering quality and adequate health care services.

Members of the media are invited and there will be an opportunity for interviews and photographs.

Details of the event are as follows:

Date: 1 March 2023

Time: 10:00-11:00

Venue: Tembisa Hospital, 539-541 Reverend R.T.J. Namane Dr, Hospital View, Tembisa, 1632.