Letters

Dear Editor The Democratic Alliance (DA) is appalled by the staggering revelations emerging from the Special Investigating Unit and the Special Tribunal regarding a R257 million contract unlawfully awarded by the Department of Defence to SoftwareONE Experts South Africa (Pty) Ltd. This is not mere maladministration, it is wholesale financial misconduct, unlawful procurement, and a …

Dear Editor The Democratic Alliance is deeply concerned by NEHAWU’s alarming overreach into the internal affairs of the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI). As a DA Member serving on the Portfolio Committee, I find it unacceptable that a union would attempt to interfere in matters that lie far outside its legal mandate. NEHAWU …

Dear Editor The announcement of Sizekhaya Holdings as the new operator of the National Lottery is long overdue, after Minister Tau waited until the 11th hour, threatening the Lotto’s entire operations. The announcement follows a protracted process, involving significant ANC connections and court litigation over the time allotted to the temporary licence operator who must …

Dear Editor The Democratic Alliance (DA) is deeply shocked by the growing number of officers implicated in serious crimes, but who are still in service. When SAPS leadership was questioned in today’s Portfolio Committee on Police regarding the issue, it was met with vague and evasive excuses. The DA calls for immediate intervention. The South …

Dear Editor The Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomes the announcement made today by the Deputy Minister of Transport at the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) that Mr Collins Letsoalo, CEO of the Road Accident Fund (RAF), has been placed on precautionary special leave. This is a long-overdue but necessary step to ensure that the Special …

SA’s Defence Forces is planning Yet Another SANDF Golf Day on 30 May 2025. Dear Editor The DA strongly condemns the SANDF’s latest display of arrogance and detachment from operational reality – yet another Special Forces Golf Day, this time scheduled for 30 May 2025 at Copperleaf Golf Club. At a time when the SANDF …

Dear Editor The new Mineral Resources Bill which was unveiled for public comment last week will effectively end the already tottering case for foreign investment in South African mining. The bill seeks to double down on racial transformation and brings back a legion of bad ideas that were dismissed by the courts in the struggle …

Dear Editor South Africans have reason to celebrate today as Minister Malatsi’s addressed to the Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technology, to make clear that the newly gazetted policy direction aims to ensure that empowerment in telecommunications benefits as many South Africans as possible. The draft policy direction has the potential to be a …

Dear Editor The DA is demanding answers after it emerged that PRASA has blown billions refurbishing old trains that aren’t even being used. The first R2.5 billion went into restoring trains now collecting dust in depots, and PRASA is planning to pour another R5 billion into more of the same. We will write to the …

Dear Editor The DA expresses deep and profound anger that the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) continues to operate in the lap of luxury, while students struggle to study in dire circumstances, and without funding. The fact that the previous CEO of NSFAS, Andile Nongogo, saw fit to waste R18.6 million on parking bays …

Dear Editor The DA will soon close the window for applications to be submitted by persons wishing to be considered as councillor candidates in next year’s Local Government Election. With the closing of applications looming the DA is making our “last call” – apply now or you cannot stand as a DA candidate in the …

Dear Editor The DA has written to the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Social Development to urgently summon SASSA to account and present its plan to mitigate the impact of winter on those who depend on social grants for their survival. As winter grips many parts of the country, it is deeply concerning that …

Dear Editor The Democratic Alliance Federal Council, the highest policy and decision-making body in the DA between Federal Congresses, passed a motion to affirm the Party’s longstanding position against Expropriation of Property Without Compensation. The Federal Council unanimously approved the motion which confirms our support for Section 25 of the Constitution, and the well-established DA …

Dear Editor The Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomes Minister Solly Malatsi’s upcoming appearance before the Portfolio Committee, where he will outline steps being taken to broaden internet access and promote inclusive economic growth. The recent release of draft regulations enabling Equity Equivalent Investment Programmes (EEIPs) for broadband access is a bold and timely move. It has …

Dear Editor A court judgement from the North Gauteng High Court has confirmed that the process Parks Tau, Minister of Trade, Industry & Competition, undertook to appoint a temporary lottery licence operator for the National Lottery to be unlawful. The DA warned of this in March, when Tau undertook the process. In the interests of …

Dear Editor The Democratic Alliance (DA) is disturbed by the rampant executive spending in public entities, where senior managers continue to earn exorbitant salaries, often exceeding national guidelines, despite underperformance, repeated bailouts and poor audit outcomes. This reflects a broken system with weak oversight and eroded public accountability. Parliamentary replies to DA questions and public …