Member of Provincial Legislature Archives

September 18, 2015

East Rand vigilantism: DA calls for meeting with SAPS

Over the past few days there have been a spate of vigilante killings in Etwatwa in the Ekurhuleni Metro Municipality.

Media reports reveal that three young people have been killed by community members since the beginning of the week.

On Sunday, a teenager, who was allegedly a member of the One Vision Lover (OVL) gang, was attacked and burnt to death by community members.

This violence escalated on Tuesday evening when a group severely assaulted and set alight 16-year old twin brothers Sabelo and Samekelo Maisela, who were also suspected of being members of the OVL gang.

Etwatwa residents claim the OVL gang have been terrorising them for months and are behind a spate of robberies, assaults and murders in the area. They claim that when gang members are arrested by the police they are soon freed and continue to harass residents.

This is why the community have decided to take the law into their own hands.

While the DA understands the frustration of the Etwatwa community, no matter what the circumstances or allegations, we cannot have communities taking the law into their own hands.

Vigilantism is a crime

Vigilantism is a crime and it cannot be tolerated by law enforcement agencies. Anyone involved in any incident of vigilante killings becomes a criminal themselves.

While the Etwatwa police have arrested four people in relation to the Sunday’s attack, it is clear that their response to this situation has largely been reactive to date.

It is critical that the Etwatwa SAPS implements a proactive plan

It is critical that the Etwatwa SAPS implements a proactive plan that focuses on preventing further vigilante attacks in the area.

This action plan must involve a number of interventions including:

Ensuring that perpetrators behind the recent robberies, assaults and murders in the area are arrested and convicted of their crimes; and
Engagement with local community organisations, churches, school principals and CPFs which is aimed at preventing further vigilante attacks

I will therefore be requesting a meeting with the SAPs management at Etwatwa police station to discuss the development of a proactive action plan, which can be rolled out in the area.

The DA will also continue to call on the national SAPS leadership to reintroduce specialised gang units. The best way to make the people of Etwatwa safe from gangs is through targeted, sustained and specialised interventions like these units.

All South Africans have a constitutional right to live in a safe environment where the rule of law is upheld at all times.

It is therefore critical that the Etwatwa SAPS ensures the safety of all residents in the area and takes action against anyone guilty of committing a crime.

Media enquiries:

Michele Clarke MPL

MPL for Etwatwa / Benoni

Spokesperson on community safety

060 558 8309

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March 25, 2015

What is the Future of Sizwe TB Hospital?

Today is World TB day on which we should reflect on what should be done to combat this scourge in our country, where 15 000 cases of drug-resistant TB are diagnosed each year but only about half are treated.

While Gauteng has achieved a commendable TB cure rate of over 80%, there is a big question surrounding the future of the Sizwe Tropical Diseases Hospital in Sandringham, Johannesburg which is the only specialized TB hospital in Gauteng for treating drug-resistant TB cases.

According to a written reply by Gauteng Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu to my questions in the Gauteng Legislature, only 150 out of 266 beds are currently used at this hospital.

According to the MEC: “The number of admissions dropped due to the national decentralization policy where Multi-Drug Resistant TB (MDR-TB) patients can now be initiated on treatment at decentralized sites near their homes”.

The hospital is short of 8 Professional Nurses, 4 Staff Nurses and 10 Assistant Nurses.

The MEC says that there are no plans to close this hospital in view of the extensive Rietfontein housing and commercial development nearby.

But residents have been told by the Rietfontein developers at one meeting that the Sizwe hospital will be closed.

The Sizwe Hospital is a national monument and has an important role to play in combating TB in Gauteng, as well as treating MDR-TB cases from neighbouring provinces.

The Gauteng a Health Department needs to assure us about the future of this hospital in treating specialised TB cases.

Media enquiries:

Jack Bloom MPL

DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Health

082 333 4222

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March 24, 2015

Delayed Electrification Sets Khutsong Ablaze

Residents of Khutsong south, ext. 5, near Carletonville, have taken to the streets, burning tyres and blockading roads over the non-electrification of RDP houses in the area.

Over a thousand RDP units in the area are still without power – despite owners taking occupation more than three years ago.

This is another example of how residents in Merafong have been forgotten by the ANC-led municipality.

In the third quarter of this financial year, only 21% of Merafong’s R294 million capital budget had been spent, and it is likely that residents will continue to suffer at the hands of an uncaring government.

In February of this year, I called on the Gauteng MEC for Local Government, Jacob Mamabolo, to institute a provincial intervention in terms of Section 139(1)(b) of the Constitution and to place Merafong under provincial administration.

To date, there has been no move to by the MEC to take the matter in hand.

As a result of this inaction, the DA has moved to petition for the removal of the Mayor and Municipal Manager before the situation is beyond fixing.

This petition has so far collected 6 000 signatures and is rapidly increasing.

If no action is taken soon, residents of Khutsong ext. 5 will continue to remain on the periphery of society.

Media enquiries:
Ina Cilliers MPL
DA Constituency Head: Merafong
060 556 4344

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March 24, 2015

DA Calls for Urgent Intervention at Lyttelton Police Station

This morning Councillor Clive Napier of Ward 57 (Lyttelton-Centurion) and I visited the Lyttelton Police Station which remains under-resourced almost a year after the Community Safety MEC Sizakele Nkosi-Malubane was made aware of the problem.

Residents of the greater Centurion area have for months been victim of sustained criminal activities, ranging from hijackings, to armed robberies and burglaries, while the Lyttelton Police Station has simply not had the necessary manpower and resources to protect the community.

Despite a number of dedicated police officers at the station, they are hampered in their work through understaffing, a shortage of vehicles and the lack of safe holding cells.

The reconstruction of the gate house and charge office has been on hold for years, further hampering the effective operation of the police station.

The DA has received a petition with hundreds of signatures from Centurion residents requesting a thorough and urgent investigation into the staffing and equipment shortages of the police station as well as the condition of its infrastructure.

The DA will hand over the petition to MEC Nkosi-Malobane and Provincial Police Commissioner Lesiba Mothiba, and demand that the shortfalls are addressed with utmost urgency, and for the police station to be upgraded

Centurion’s residents need an effective and well-resourced police station to combat rapidly spiralling crime levels in the area

Media enquiries:

Solly Msimanga MPL

DA Gauteng Constituency Head – Centurion

060 558 8308

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March 23, 2015

Departmental Bungling Could Shut Down SMMEs

At least five SMMEs participating in the Mohlakeng Hub on the West Rand face closure if the Gauteng Enterprise Propeller (GEP) fails to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Randfontein Local Municipality to inject R6 million in to this project over the next three years.

GEP has until 31 March 2015 to sign this agreement.

Aim of the Hub

Coupled with this cash injection, the Gauteng Department of Economic Development and its entity, GEP, have agreed to foot the bill for participants’ municipal bills, but cannot do so until the MoU is signed.

The aim of the hub is to incubate SMMEs in the following sectors:

Carpentry;
Furniture manufacturing;
Welding and steel works;
Embroidery and clothing manufacturing.

Not Functional

At a presentation to the Gauteng Economic Development Portfolio, it was revealed that despite service provider WESTCOL facilitating training, the hub is currently not functional.

What is of even more concern is that there are no partnerships in place with experienced incubators or hubs to increase the knowledge capacity of participants.

The hub also requires an intensive incubation programme to assist participants in growing their businesses and understanding the market environment.

The Importance of SMMEs

Gauteng Premier, David Makhura, in his State of the Province Address emphasised the importance of SMME stimulation and growth to aid in the re industrialisation of the province.

However, Mohlakeng is one of many examples where the administration jeopardises the future of small and medium sized business by not creating an environment conducive to sustainable market access or competitiveness.

Rather, for many it is like starting on the back foot.

Gauteng Economic Development MEC, Lebogang Maile, must ensure that this MOU is signed before five more SMMEs in the province fail as a result of bureaucratic bungling.

The DA will monitor this situation closely to ensure the sustainability of this project.

Media enquiries
Janet Semple MPL
DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Economic Development
082 462 8239

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March 23, 2015

Gauteng Hospitals Owe R2.9 million on Over-priced Diesel

Gauteng hospitals owe R2.9 million to companies that supply diesel for boilers, tractors and back-up generators.

This is revealed in a written reply by Gauteng Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu to my questions in the Gauteng Legislature.

Companies Owed

The Gauteng Health Department buys diesel from a number of companies in terms of a contract by National Treasury.

The following companies are owed money:

Kiarah Chemicals cc R936 835
One Line Project Solutions cc R491 150
Kebaratile General Trading R29 227
Afric Oil Pty Ltd R373 219
General Energy Systems Pty Ltd R1 065 358

I am aware of cases where late supply of diesel has led to generators failing after power cuts, and boilers with no steam to provide heat and sterilise surgical instruments.

Discounted Rates

I am also concerned that the department pays R12.38 per litre of diesel, which is a bit more than you would pay at a local garage.

Surely a discount rate could have been achieved as part of the diesel tender?

This is yet another example where the department is getting poor value for money and there are supply disruptions because of non-payment.

The department should pay its bills and ensure a reliable diesel supply for hospitals.

Media enquiries:

Jack Bloom MPL

DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Health

082 333 4222

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March 23, 2015

John Moodey to Present the True State of Ekurhuleni Metro

This morning DA Gauteng Provincial Leader, John Moodey, DA Ekurhuleni Caucus Leader, Cllr Fortune Mahano and DA Ekurhuleni caucus members will brief the media over the true state of the Ekurhuleni metropolitan municipality.

The briefing will take place outside the Wanneburg Clinic in the informal settlement of Makause near Primrose, Germiston, where the DA will present its policy alternatives in the run up to Executive Mayor Mondli Gungubele’s State of the City Address on Wednesday.

Date: Monday, 23 March 2015

Time: 09:30

Venue: Wanneburg Clinic, Pretoria Road, (between Bus and Mimosa Roads) Primrose

Click here to view map.

There will be ample opportunity for interviews and photographs. Members of the media are welcome to attend.

Media enquiries:

Cllr Fortune Mahano

DA Ekurhuleni Caucus Leader

072 451 2645

Angela Barnes

DA Media Liaison – Ekurhuleni Caucus

083 701 9972

March 22, 2015

John Moodey to Present the True State of Ekurhuleni Metro

True State of Ekurhuleni

Tomorrow, Monday 23 March 2015, DA Gauteng Provincial Leader, John Moodey, DA Ekurhuleni caucus leader, Cllr Fortune Mahano and DA Ekurhuleni caucus members will brief the media over the true state of the Ekurhuleni metropolitan municipality.

Event Details

Date: Monday, 23 March 2015

Time: 09:30

Venue: Wanneburg Clinic, Pretoria Road, (between Bus and Mimosa Roads) Primrose

Click here to view map.

There will be ample opportunity for interviews and photographs. Members of the media are welcome to attend.

Media enquiries:

Cllr Fortune Mahano

DA Ekurhuleni Caucus Leader

072 451 2645

Angela Barnes

DA Media Liaison – Ekurhuleni Caucus

083 701 9972

March 22, 2015

Esselen Park Ext 3: Residents Under Threat from Collapsing Wall

The R7 million catchment wall situated in the Esselen Park Ext 3 RDP development, Ekurhuleni meant to protect the development from excess water flow is collapsing – putting many lives and property at risk.

Houses built on the periphery of this wall are at risk of serious damage due to the instability of the ground on which it is built.

This is compounded by the inadequate storm water system that cannot cope with excess water during periods of heavy rain.

As a result, this wall has shifted and has already collapsed in parts.

Despite numerous attempts by DA Ekurhuleni Ward Councillor, Johann Jordaan, to have this issue addressed by both Ekurhuleni’s Housing and Storm Water Departments, the situation has deteriorated.

I will write to the MEC for Cooperative Governance, Traditional Affairs and Housing, Jacob Mamabolo and insist that he intervene urgently – before there is an unnecessary loss of human life.

Media enquiries:

060 558 8297

Johann Jordaan

DA Ekurhuleni Ward 91 Councillor

083 770 5726

March 20, 2015

Gauteng Transport MEC Victimises Whistle-blower

Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport (GDRT) MEC, Ismail Vadi and Head of Department (HOD), Ronald Swartz are condoning attempts by senior management to silence a whistle-blower who has attempted to expose corrupt and collusive activities.

Irregularities

According to DA information the whistle-blower has attempted to report sever financial irregularities to both the MEC and HOD, only to find himself having being suspended.

The whistle-blower alleges how he had uncovered what appears to be the irregular appointment of one senior official, but also how this official and the person who allegedly colluded to ensure her appointment, irregularly awarded tenders to the value of R19.5 million.

The whistle blower alleges that the tenders were awarded in contravention of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), Treasury Regulations and department financial controls.

Investigation and the Lack of Political Will

After no action was taken by the HOD, this matter was raised with the MEC, again to no avail.

This matter has been the subject of a Public Service Commission investigation, a report which the whistle-blower claims has been ignored by the MEC and HOD.

Once again, we are exposed to the nefarious workings of officials employed in departments throughout Gauteng and the lack of political will to tackle these issues head on.

What is of utmost concern is that when officials attempt to do the right thing, they are maligned by those in the upper echelons of power.

Gauteng Premier, David Makhura’s much lauded approach to corruption needs to be put to task in instances such as these.

The DA will follow this case up with both the Premier Makhura and MEC Vadi as a matter of urgency.

Media enquiries:

John Moodey MPL

DA Gauteng Provincial Leader

082 960 3743

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