Letters

Dear Editor The Democratic Alliance will boycott tomorrow’s Letsema Legacy Projects as the initiative has abandoned fairness and inclusivity. Having received the venues for the outreach late this morning, it became abundantly clear that the people of Parkridge, Parkside, Pefferville, CC Lloyd, and the greater Buffalo Flats Community, including Egoli, 7de Laan, Vergenoeg and Fynbos, …

Dear Editor Today’s game-changer announcement by South Africa’s Minister of Home Affairs, the DA’s Dr. Leon Schreiber, that passports for South Africans living abroad will now be delivered by courier is warmly welcomed by the DA Abroad. South African citizens have been forced to make multiple journeys to embassies and Home Affairs outposts, to file …

Dear Editor The Democratic Alliance sees today’s judgment against Jacob Zuma, ordering him to repay to the State R28.9-million legal fees, plus interest, as a victory for South Africa and the protection of taxpayer money. Since 2018 Mr Zuma has evaded repaying millions in legal fees that the State should not have paid on his …

Dear Editor The Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s announcement that the Crime Prevention Wardens, known as “Amapanyaza”, will be disbanded for them to undergo training to become fully fledged Traffic Officers vindicates the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) numerous warnings that Amapanyaza are not adequately trained, resourced, and do not meet the criteria to be peace officers. The …

Dear Editor The Democratic Alliance (DA) is deeply worried by a series of violent shootings that have unfolded across South Africa in recent days, leaving communities reeling in fear and mourning. The DA sends sympathies and care to the affected communities. The trend we are seeing is increasing gun crime, and little to no action …

Dear Editor The Democratic Alliance (DA) has written to Transport Minister Barbara Creecy, requesting a full investigation into high-value ongoing RAF contracts signed under former CEO Collins Letsoalo. Information from the SCOPA hearings has revealed a new line of investigation. Only the Minister has the legal power now to take action and stop the RAF …

Dear Editor The Democratic Alliance (DA) will call on Minister Lamola and DIRCO to halt the Randjesfontein Pan-African Parliament (PAP) project. South Africa can no longer justify funding a vanity project that has already wasted over R100 million while delivering nothing tangible. For 21 years, the PAP has been hosted at Gallagher Estate at a …

Dear Editor The DA condemns in the strongest terms the inhumane treatment of approximately 130 naval recruits who have, according to media reports, been stranded at SAS Saldanha since July, surviving on minimal food rations and living without proper accommodation as a result of ongoing construction delays at the Simon’s Town Naval Base. For nearly …

Dear Editor The Democratic Alliance (DA) has taken an important step to protect newborn babies at risk of unsafe abandonment. The notice of intention to introduce the Safe Relinquishment Private Members Bill (PMB) has now been gazetted. This Bill aims to legalise the safe relinquishment of babies, the operation of baby savers by registered child …

Dear Editor The DA’s Bill to replace BEE with a new procurement model that will tackle poverty and create real economic inclusion for all has been gazetted in the Government Gazette. The gazetting of this Bill is the first step in the legislative process that will bring South Africa a new, inclusive empowerment model ending …

Dear Editor The Democratic Alliance (DA) is alarmed by reports that four South African-registered Gazelle helicopters were flown out of Lanseria International Airport and have ended up in Libya, now serving General Khalifa Haftar’s Libyan National Army. If true, this is a serious violation of both the United Nations arms embargo on Libya and South …

Dear Editor Since launching The Democratic Alliance’s Plan to Turbocharge the Economy two months ago, in which we highlighted the key roadblocks to growth and job creation, we now present the Economic Inclusion for All Bill. This bill aims to replace years of ineffective ANC empowerment policies that have left the majority of South Africans …

Dear Editor Water tanker operators seem to be the biggest beneficiaries of ANC-coalition mayor Nasiphi Moya’s first year in office. More than anything else the period will be bookmarked by a staggering increase in water losses and water tanker spending. Between the 2024 financial year, when Tshwane was governed by a DA-led coalition, and the …

Dear Editor The rot in the South African Police Service currently on national display is a symptom of the collapse of our entire criminal justice system. South Africans face unprecedented levels of crime on a daily basis, and our criminal justice system is clearly not fully up to the task of investigating, prosecuting and punishing …

Dear Editor On Friday the Democratic Alliance filed an ethics complaint against Minister for Social Development, Nokuzola Tolashe, for allegedly misleading Parliament. Minister Tolashe contradicted a Cabinet resolution that the Director-General of Social Development, Peter Netshipale, should only be appointed for one year and thereby failed to uphold the standards of conduct expected of her. …

Dear Editor The Democratic Alliance (DA) notes Cabinet’s approval of the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2025 on 15 October and Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa’s upcoming media briefing this Sunday, 19 October, at the GCIS in Pretoria. South Africans deserve clarity on what lies behind the R2.23 trillion investment figure announced as part of the plan. This …

Dear Editor The Democratic Alliance (DA) notes the confirmation by Deputy Minister of Police, Dr Polly Boshiela, to the National Council of Provinces – Select Committee on Security and Justice, that the South African Police Service (SAPS) has “officially served its divorce papers” to the State Information Technology Agency (SITA). In a revelation made before …

Dear Editor The Democratic Alliance (DA) notes with profound concern the suspension of the Inspector-General of Intelligence (IGI), Mr. Imtiaz Fazel, by President Cyril Ramaphosa. While we respect the legal provisions that allow for such a suspension pending an investigation, the timing and context of this action raise serious and alarming questions that the South …