Letter

Dear Editor The Democratic Alliance (DA) is outraged by new revelations confirming that SAPS continues to sideline its K9 units in Cape Town, despite their proven effectiveness in combating drugs and gang-related crime. Even more concerning is the ongoing refusal by Western Cape Police Commissioner, Lt. Genl. Thembisile Patekile, to deploy these specialised dogs where …

Dear Editor The Eastern Cape government must account for the alleged mismanagement of public funds at the “Music in the Snow Festival” in Hogsback this past weekend. Artists and attendees alike were left disappointed and out of pocket after a string of failures reportedly caused by the event organiser’s inability to meet basic commitments. This …

Dear Editor South Africa’s agriculture sector is facing renewed global trade uncertainty, with new U.S. tariffs on local exports set to take effect from 1 August. Encouragingly for South African agriculture, we are seeing progress in expanding access to alternative markets. Recent developments include: Avocados to China, Japan and India: Market access is being actively …

Dear Editor The DA condemns Minister Gayton McKenzie’s reckless decision to cut funding to national sports federations, undermining grassroots development and threatening South Africa’s Olympic future. The DA will move forward with an urgent oversight meeting in the Sports, Arts and Culture portfolio committee in Parliament – where Gayton McKenzie will have to come and …

Dear Editor Friday’s portfolio committee meeting, which Minister Nobuhle Nkabane bunked out of, heard staggering new details about the cover-up of brazen ANC cadre deployment. The evil system of ANC cadre deployment is a web of corruption. There was never an “independent panel” which made the SETA board appointments – as with all ANC cadre …

Dear Editor On Monday, the DA’s Emma Powell made a public revelation about Mcebisi Jonas that created a serious credibility issue for President Ramaphosa. Many have reported this as a “cover up” by Ramaphosa and “misleading” the nation. Since Powell’s revelation there has been no denial that Jonas was refused a visa to the United …

Dear Editor The DA has long warned that the gang and drug war on the Cape Flats does not stop at the prison gates. It continues inside our correctional facilities, enabled by systemic rot and weak oversight. The DA calls on the Department of Correctional Services to urgently invest in proper resources, including permanent K9 …

Dear Editor The Democratic Alliance (DA) strongly condemns the temporary transfer of a 29-year-old Brigadier — who has never worn a SAPS uniform, never undergone formal police training, and who is currently out on bail on serious corruption charges — as the Head of Visible Policing (Vispol) for the Moot District in Pretoria. The DA …

Dear Editor Gender-based violence remains one of the most urgent and devastating threats facing residents of the Eastern Cape, and students at our universities and TVET colleges are no exception. This crisis continues to rob young women of safety, dignity and opportunity on campuses meant to empower them. Our young women face the daily reality …

Dear Editor The Democratic Alliance (DA) will directly pose parliamentary questions to Defence Minister Angie Motshekga after ANC MP and Co-Chairperson of the Joint Standing Committee on Defence (JSCD), Malusi Gigaba, abruptly backtracked on a Committee undertaking to demand answers from her about the R813.3 million reportedly allocated by National Treasury for soldier deployment allowances. …

Dear Editor I note with grave concern the Sowetan Newspaper story: “Report Links DA MP to Anti-SA Narrative”. On the 16th of July 2025, I was asked for comment on an unspecified report by Sowetan journalist, Jeanette Chabalala, who noted that serious allegations had been made against me in regards to the DA’s visit to …

Dear Editor The Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomes the decision taken by the joint sitting of the Portfolio Committees on Police and Justice & Constitutional Development to establish an ad hoc committee to urgently investigate the serious allegations raised by Lt General Mkhwanazi. This is a crucial and long overdue step toward ensuring transparency, accountability and …

Dear Editor The Democratic Alliance debated in the National Council of Provinces today, in favour of the Budget tabled by Minister Dean Macpherson, because the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure is successfully delivering a R1 trillion infrastructure build, turning South Africa into a construction site, cutting out corruption, creating job opportunities, reclaiming public property, …

Dear Editor The Presidency’s unconvincing response to the Democratic Alliance’s revelations that Mcebisi Jonas had his visa application declined by US authorities places the spotlight on Minister Parks Tau and the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) to secure a US trade deal in the two weeks left before the August 1st deadline. The …

Dear Editor The Freedom Front Plus yesterday showed just how far it will go to remain politically relevant, even if it means voting against the most important rural safety reforms ever adopted by Parliament. Despite not attending a single meeting of the joint Portfolio Committees on Police and Agriculture during the months-long development of this …

Dear Editor The DA can reveal that confirmation received yesterday from the South African Police Service affirms that our criminal charges against former-Minister Senzo Mcunu are now under investigation. A senior Lieutenant Colonel has been assigned as investigating officer in the criminal matter against Mchunu, marking the seriousness with which the SAPS are treating the …

Dear Editor News this afternoon that Deputy National Commissioner for Crime Detection, Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya, has been asked to take a leave of absence raises serious questions about governance and accountability in the South African Police Service (SAPS). In policing, placing someone on leave of absence instead of suspending them for a disciplinary transgression …

Dear Editor In an extraordinary turn of events, the Democratic Alliance (DA) can reveal that President Cyril Ramaphosa has, for months, been fully aware that his “Special Envoy” is not welcome in Washington D.C. as the United States denied Jonas a visa two months ago, and rejected his credentials. With just two weeks to go …

Dear Editor More than 90 days have passed since President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed Mcebisi Jonas as South Africa’s Special Envoy to the United States of America (USA). Jonas’ appointment came on the back of Ambassador Rasool’s expulsion, and was billed as a critical intervention to stave off the impending collapse of vital export industries under …

Dear Editor The DA has written to the Chairperson of the Public Service and Administration Committee to request quarterly reports from the National Treasury and the Department of Public Service and Administration. These reports must show clear progress in identifying ghost workers and cutting excessive SOE executive pay. We welcome the Finance Minister’s announcement of …

Dear Editor The Democratic Alliance (DA) acknowledges President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement of a Commission of Inquiry into the serious allegations of misconduct within the South African Police Service (SAPS) as raised by Lt General Mkhwanazi. While the Commission may be a necessary step towards accountability, it cannot and must not substitute the vital oversight role …