Letter

Dear Editor It is deeply concerning to learn of reports of taxi operators actively barring private scholar transport operators from dropping children off at schools, specifically in the Mthatha area. These actions are not only disruptive and deeply traumatizing for the children involved but also unlawful. Taxi operators have no legal authority to interfere with …

Dear Editor The Minister of Health, Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi, continues to push the National Health Insurance (NHI), despite doctor unemployment crippling South Africa’s public health system. Despite the Department’s inability to hire and retain sufficient medical personnel, the Minister’s fixation on NHI raises serious concerns about his commitment to improving health care. The NU8 Clinic …

Dear Editor The DA calls on President Cyril Ramaphosa to immediately establish an independent Commission of Inquiry into all aspects of what happened at Buffelsfontein mine so that those who have been derelict in their duty can be sanctioned and so that the same situation does not occur again. With sixty bodies recovered from the …

Dear Editor The Democratic Alliance (DA) has written to the Inspector-General for Intelligence to request that his office investigate reports that the Crime Intelligence division of the South African Police Service (SAPS) has purchased a luxury boutique hotel in Pretoria North, with a price tag of a staggering R22.7 million. While it is reported that …

Dear Editor This morning’s shooting in Nyanga, which claimed one life and injured seven others, alongside the murder of nine people at a tavern in Mpumalanga over the weekend, underscores the SAPS’s inability to act proactively and the lack of crime intelligence. The Minister of Police’s recent revelation that 9,000 people were killed in mass …

Dear Editor The Class of 2024 has delivered a record-breaking 84.98% matric pass rate for the Eastern Cape, the province’s best result since 1994. This marks the fourth consecutive year of improvement and reflects the dedication and perseverance of learners, educators, parents, and stakeholders across the education sector. We extend heartfelt congratulations to every matriculant, …

Dear Editor As we begin the new school year tomorrow, the DA wishes all the learners and teachers well as they commence a new year of learning and progress. This year signifies a key milestone in the country’s effort to bolster the quality of education, especially among younger learners. The Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe …

Dear Editor The DA congratulates all the successful matriculants on passing their examinations. Their success is a testament to their hard work and the commitment of teachers, school leaders, and families across the country. This year 724 156 matrics enrolled for the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations, while 705 291 full-time candidates wrote the examinations …

Dear Editor Minister Parks Tau’s response to the DA’s rejection of the R100 billion Transformation Fund leaves many questions unanswered. Instead, it shows the ANC’s determination on doubling down on its discredited BBBEE policy by expropriating yet more of businesses’ hard-earned profits. The Transformation Fund will use BBBEE regulations to force companies to contribute proportions …

Dear Editor The hijacking of an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) vehicle in Mthatha on Saturday is cause for grave concern as this act of criminality endangers the lives of our most vulnerable citizens – those whose health is severely compromised. Fortunately, no patients were in the vehicle at the time. The vehicle was on its …

Dear Editor The recent revelation that SA Tourism may forfeit more than two-thirds of its 2024/25 Budget to National Treasury (more than R800m), after failing to utilise the funds, is the last straw. For years this SOE has failed to fulfil its mandate, namely to “promote the country domestically and internationally, whether for leisure, business …

Dear Editor The DA calls on Minister Angie Motshekga for her urgent plan of action, following a scathing Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) finding against the previous Director General of the Department of Military Veterans and now Ministerial special advisor, Tsepe Motumi. In December, the SCA found that Motumi, who acted as Director-General for the …

Dear Editor In a reply to a DA Parliamentary Question, Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau has confirmed that the National Lotteries Commission will compensate whistleblowers who helped expose up to R2 billion of corrupt grants, after they were dismissed from work, suffered great torment and suffered financial losses in the whistleblowing process. …

Dear Editor The DA in North West has today written to the National Minister of Cooperative Governance, Velenkosini Hlabisa, the Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana, and President Cyril Ramaphosa, requesting them to urgently place the Ditsobotla Local Municipality under Section 139(7) national administration to restore service delivery and good governance. See letter here. Despite about …

Dear Editor In the wake of the fire at Parliament in January 2022, President Ramaphosa thanked the City of Cape Town for its swift response and support, saying “It does show that there are certain things that do work, even as we may think that the wheels are coming off on everything…that we do have …

Dear Editor The Democratic Alliance (DA) notes the misleading statements recently made by ActionSA which have sought to whip up public outrage about the official vehicles used by the Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen. ActionSA’s claims are untrue and damage the credibility of its leaders who have promised South Africa that they will play a …