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DA Petitions Ministerial Intervention for Ekurhuleni electricity crisis

Note to Broadcasters: Please find attached a soundbite in English by Michele Clark MP, DA constituency leader for Germiston

The Democratic Alliance (DA) is steadfast in holding the ANC/EFF Executive in Ekurhuleni accountable for the ongoing electricity crisis they have created. The current executive has been lax in their duties, the DA has therefore acted and laid a complaint with the Human Rights Commission to draw attention to the plight of the residents they so gleefully ignore.

The petition we have launched, which is a severe indictment against the metro’s leadership, will also be tabled to the Ministers of Electricity and of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs. It is their duty to ensure that the basic needs of people in one of the biggest metros in the country are met.

Electricity in Ekurhuleni is already a contentious issue, but the fumbled handling of the situation by the current executive has only exacerbated the crisis. To be without power for 50 days, or to have to close your business for days on end is neither acceptable nor sustainable. On top of that, feedback on queries is non-existent, the Executive’s mishandling can no longer be seen as a mishap, but at this stage it is a catastrophe.

An ANC/EFF coalition has spelt disaster for Ekurhuleni, with even Eskom taking back the load-shedding reigns, as the management thereof by the municipality put the national grid in danger. There is something devastating about not even being able to turn the lights off when you have to.

It is of vital importance for residents to sign this petition. The executive must be held to account as they are not only failing at their jobs, but they are failing the people of this city. We deserve better, and without forcing National Government to intervene, nothing will change.

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Thousands of unfilled funded vacancies deprive learners of quality education

Thousands of funded vacancies in the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) negatively impact our learners, who are deprived of quality education.

The department had 8434 funded vacancies to be filled in the 2022–2023 financial year. These funded vacancies are to ensure that there is quality teaching and learning.

This information was revealed in a reply to the DA’s written questions in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature to the Gauteng MEC for Education, Matome Chiloane.

According to the MEC, there are 290 vacant principal posts, while there are 81 who have been appointed as acting principals and 559 acting deputy principals.

Furthermore, there are 1934 departmental head vacancies. The failure to fill these vacancies creates instability at our schools, resulting in them being dysfunctional.

The department has also failed to employ 2800 teachers to ensure quality teaching and learning. Schools are overcrowded, and teachers are understaffed. Learners with special needs are battling because the department is failing to fill 480 vacancies for education specialists and therapists. There are 4343 teachers employed temporarily.

The unfilled funded vacancies are weakening our education system. This is a result of a lack of planning and consequence management.

If Premier Panyaza Lesufi is serious about filling these vacancies, he will use his Nasi iSpani programme to prioritise all these funded vacancies to ensure the provision of quality basic education.

The DA demands that all funded vacancies be filled as a matter of urgency. Poorly performing schools are due to a lack of leadership because the department has failed to fill principal, deputy principal, and department head vacancies.

Disciplinary action must be taken against those who fail to do their job. Premier Lesufi must hold MEC Chiloane to account for failing to fill funded posts.2

When in government, the DA will focus on ensuring all funded vacancies, particularly critical posts, are filled urgently so that service delivery is not compromised.

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Gauteng’s dysfunctional Infrastructure Department unable to fix flooding at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital

Once again, Gauteng’s Department of Infrastructure Development has shown itself to be incapable of performing even its most basic functions, namely maintaining its health infrastructure in case of emergency breakdowns.

In its entire history, the dysfunctional department has never been able to meet its operational targets, to the extent that the Democratic Alliance (DA) called for this department to be shut down or put under administration.

In the latest debacle, the department was unable to resolve a flooding issue, which led to an increase in the backlog of elective surgeries at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital. To make matters worse, the department has provided no feedback as to how and when the problem will be resolved.

The issue at play is the constant appointment of contractors who do not have the expertise or equipment to resolve technical maintenance issues. When pressed for a response as to why the probity checking of contractors does not highlight poor performers, the department has previously indicated that there is no performance management of contractors. One wonders to what extent the appointment of cadres contributes to poor outcomes.

In the meantime, responsible politicians are nowhere to be seen in terms of providing solutions and ensuring that departments perform. The Premier, Panyaza Lesufi, is too busy chasing and looking for cheap publicity, while the incompetent MEC for Infrastructure Development, Lebogang Maile, simply whitewashes any criticism of his department.

The poor performance of the Infrastructure Department has been raised ad nauseam in the Legislature, but like rats fleeing a sinking ship, the politicians and officials refuse to accept responsibility or allow themselves to be held accountable.

As we approach 2024, and it’s time to relegate this uncaring and arrogant government to the garbage bin annals of history.

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Benoni residents lack school infrastructure, while GDE abandons its facility

Gauteng schools are facing huge enrolment pressure due to urbanisation leading to overcrowding in classrooms, yet the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has abandoned some of its buildings.

The high application rate for Grades 1 and 8 will create a huge dilemma for parents as the department has failed to build more schools. Parents will have no option but to send their children to independent schools.

Today, the DA visited an abandoned GDE facility in Benoni. We discovered that the department is paying a security company to safeguard the dilapidated and abandoned building.

It is unclear why the department abandoned this facility while there is a high demand to build more schools in Benoni.

The department must reclaim the facility and repurpose it. The land is big enough to be used for school-related purposes. This building can be transformed into a sporting facility.

The building structure has cracked, and the paint is peeling off. The entire building is filled with litter and recycled bottles.

The DA proposes that the department prioritise the refurbishment of all these dilapidated and abandoned buildings in the province.

The DA will submit written questions to the GDE in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL) to ascertain if there are plans to repurpose this building. We also want to know how much it has been spending on the security company.

Moreover, the department must give a breakdown of all abandoned school infrastructure and the overall plans on them.

If not, they should hand it over to other stakeholders like Social Development and Human Settlements to be used as a rehab centre or a housing renewal project for those in need.

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DA urges national intervention for illegal mining in Johannesburg

Joint Press Statement by Cllr. Tyrell Meyers and Soloman Maila, DA Councillors, in the City of Johannesburg

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the City of Johannesburg expresses grave concerns over the rising trend of illegal mining in Johannesburg, and demands urgent action from the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Mr Gwede Mantashe.

Despite the DA’s calls to the National Government in 2017, and repeated calls since, no action has been taken by the National Department of Police or the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy. Unsurprisingly, the impact on residents and infrastructure has been devastating.

The continued neglect of this issue by the National Government has led to the appearance of sudden sinkholes and placed residents in nearby communities at risk. On July 26, 2023, for instance, the JRA had to close one lane of the Miles Stoker Road in Roodepoort because of a sinkhole caused by illegal mining activities.

The Riverlea area has experienced a surge in illegal mining over recent weeks, with gunshots becoming a nightmarish regularity. Two days ago, an innocent resident, Ernest Mangena, lost his life to a stray bullet during a gunfight allegedly between rival illegal miners (Zama-Zamas) and members of the South African Police Service (SAPS). A growing number of similar cases remain unsolved, raising questions about the competence or willingness of the SAPS to serve and protect the people of Riverlea.

Adding to the mining problem, the area has seen an escalation in serious and violent crimes, particularly in the Horseshoe area of Riverlea, a 50-year-old township roughly 9km southwest of Johannesburg’s central business district. The adjacent Zamimpilo informal settlement, within the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality, has become a hotspot for illegal mining, mostly by armed foreign nationals. The continual sound of gunfire has left residents living in fear – effectively imprisoning them in their own homes.

Frustrated and fearful, the Riverlea community held a public meeting to discuss measures against the relentless gun violence associated with these Zama-Zamas. The residents resolved to blockade the township and demand government action against the Zamimpilo informal settlement. Residents are now threatening to take matters into their own hands if their demands are not met. This volatile situation is one of national government’s creation.

The DA will write to Minister Mantashe to demand immediate intervention and shut down the illegal mining shafts in and around Riverlea that have become a source of serious and violent crime. It is clear that National Government lacks the political will to take action, but should they continue down this path, they will have more blood on their hands.

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Unity is needed to save the capital

Recent strikes, vandalism, and sabotage relating to the City of Tshwane’s decision not to increase salaries for employees or politicians, this financial year, has caused delays in service delivery and essential services.

Earlier this year, the DA, in collaboration with our coalition partners, embarked on a Rescue Mission of Tshwane. We did this by approving a budget aimed at stabilizing the city’s finances. Tough decisions, such as budget cuts, have had to be made to get our city’s finances back on track. One of these decisions was not approving salary increases for City of Tshwane workers and politicians – a difficult, but necessary step to restore Tshwane’s financial stability. This resulted in the current strike action.

These difficult choices are essential to prevent financial collapse and to getting Tshwane back on track. We are determined to ensure the city’s long-term well-being and to secure a better future for all its residents. In order to do that, however, the city needs to dig itself out of the financial hole it has come to find itself in.

During this critical period, we call on all residents to rally behind Mayor Cilliers Brink, as he navigates through these challenging decisions. We are committed to following legal processes in our engagements with organised labour. However, we cannot be deterred in saving the city by unprotected strikes, illegal go-slows, or certain factions’ violent tactics.

Together, we must stand united to #BackBrink and #RescueTshwane. We urge residents to remain vigilant against vandalism, sabotage, or wildcat strikes that will hinder the progress to come, and undo the progress we have made as a city.

We Back Brink.

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DA to assess abandoned GDE building in Benoni South

Today, 28 July 2023, the Democratic Alliance (DA) Gauteng Shadow MEC for Education, Khume Ramulifho MPL, and the DA Benoni Political Head, Haseena Ismail MP, will conduct an oversight inspection at the abandoned Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) building in Benoni South, Ekurhuleni.

The DA has received numerous complaints from the residents about the abandoned GDE building, which has become a haven for criminal activities and a shelter for the homeless.

This building meant to equip the youth with artisan skills, is in terrible condition and has been vandalised.

The DA will assess the building and engage with the community to ascertain how this neglected building affects them. We will also determine how it can be repurposed for educational use since there are shortages of school infrastructure in the province.

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: 28 July 2023
Time: 10:00
Venue: Liverpool Road Benoni South.

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Cutting NPO funding will affect vulnerable Gauteng residents

The Gauteng Department of Social Development (DSD) will be cutting funding for NPOs next year, severely affecting this province’s most vulnerable residents.

The most affected NPOs are those in the following sectors: older persons, persons living with disabilities, children, and people living with HIV and AIDS.

This information was revealed by DSD at the NPOs’ regional summit. The NPOs were told to source their own funding for the next financial year because they are no longer part of Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s elevated priorities. The priorities are poverty alleviation and substance abuse.

This indicates that Premier Lesufi and the Gauteng MEC for the Department of Social Development, Mbali Hlophe, misled the NPOs about the reversal of the reprioritised budgets. This was a way of temporarily silencing the NPOs.

This government’s ill planning and lies will see Gauteng residents witnessing another Life Esidimeni saga.

NPOs will not be able to source their own funding because the economy is not growing, and companies are barely managing to stay afloat, especially with load-shedding. Companies do not have additional funds to support NPOs.

NPOs They will be forced to shut down, and Gauteng’s most vulnerable will suffer without much-needed shelter, food, and social welfare services.

The DA will mobilise Gauteng communities through its petition to prevent this funding model that will affect the NPO sector.

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City of Johannesburg, City Power setting the table for a weekend in the dark

The DA demands answers from the executive in the City of Johannesburg, about how security contracts that ensure the safeguarding of critical electrical infrastructure was allowed to lapse. This follows a meeting today, where Councillors were informed that some substations will be left without security for the next four days. The onus for protecting infrastructure now rests on residents.

Bearing in mind the recent surge in theft and vandalism of key electrical infrastructure, combined with higher stages of load-shedding, substations will now be prime targets. The city failed to ensure that contracts are up to date, and has turned an already serious situation into a critical one.

Just last night, an incident was reported where oil was stolen from one of the Eskom transformers at the Randburg Substation – for the second time in a month. Substations without oil can easily overheat, resulting in costly damages at a time when the city can ill afford it.

In a meeting held today Councillors and City Power seniors came together to address issues impacting service delivery. The priority identified was the safeguarding of critical infrastructure from theft and vandalism. While meetings such as these are productive, yet another failing from the city and its entities cannot become rate paying residents’ problem. Not only does the city have a responsibility to protect its infrastructure, but it also has a responsibility towards residents’ safety. One that is being ignored.

Ward Councillors find themselves with no choice but to urgently request Local Community Policing Forums (CPF) and private area security to step up their patrols around known vulnerable substations.

In light of these developments, the safety and security of City of Johannesburg’s infrastructure remain of paramount importance to both the council and its residents. Collaborative efforts between authorities, residents, and private security entities are now essential to safeguarding critical assets and ensuring uninterrupted service delivery.

The city’s Executive and City power must find a swift resolution to this matter, while ensuring that it doesn’t happen again. The city is in trouble, but a failing and leaderless executive lacking in basic contract management is not helping the matter at all.

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DA to assess abandoned GDE building in Benoni South

Tomorrow, 28 July 2023, the Democratic Alliance (DA) Gauteng Shadow MEC for Education, Khume Ramulifho MPL, and the DA Benoni Political Head, Haseena Ismail MP, will conduct an oversight inspection at the abandoned Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) building in Benoni South, Ekurhuleni.

The DA has received numerous complaints from the residents about the abandoned GDE building, which has become a haven for criminal activities and a shelter for the homeless.

This building meant to equip the youth with artisan skills, is in terrible condition and has been vandalised.

The DA will assess the building and engage with the community to ascertain how this neglected building affects them. We will also determine how it can be repurposed for educational use since there are shortages of school infrastructure in the province.

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: 28 July 2023
Time: 10:00
Venue: Liverpool Road Benoni South.