Democratic Alliance Latest News

Rift Valley Fever vaccines urgently needed in Free State and Northern Cape

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:40:13 +0200

Farmers in the Free State have informed that Democratic Alliance (DA) that despite repeated warnings of the impending outbreak of Rift Valley Fever, the state entity responsible for the supply of animal vaccines, Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP) has not ensured that there is a sufficient amount of medication available to curtail the spread of the animal disease. Currently, OBP is awaiting imports of the Rift Valley Fever vaccine and has none in stock. This is particularly concerning as the disease has now begun to spread through the Free State and Northern Cape.

DA submits parliamentary questions on Minister Nyanda's alleged luxury hotel stay

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:37:52 +0200

The Democratic Alliance (DA) will today submit parliamentary questions to determine at what cost to the public purse the Minister of Communications, Siphiwe Nyanda, has been allegedly staying at luxury hotels in Cape Town despite having an official residence there.

Hawks dealing with human trafficking, but they don't even have a phone line

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 13:17:43 +0200

In answer to a question I posed in Parliament regarding human trafficking, and specifically regarding anti- human trafficking measures during the World Cup, the Minister of Police said that the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (DPCI), the "Hawks" would be dealing with this category of crime. However, if a member of the public wanted to report suspected human trafficking, how would that person contact the Hawks? The answer is: you can't.

EPWP created equivalent of 87,000 full time jobs, not 483,700

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:46:45 +0200

Using the warped notion of a "job opportunity", the ANC government has tried to pull the wool over the eyes of the South African public. But figures released today in response to a DA parliamentary question reveal just how disingenuous the ANC has been in terms of its real record on Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) job creation.

Almost four year wait for the approval of some antiretroviral: When will the MCC's problems be dealt with?

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:22:54 +0200

This year's budget made substantially more money available for antiretrovirals. But this is of no use if we do not have access to the drugs we need to buy. A reply to a Democratic Alliance (DA) parliamentary question shows that the Medicines Control Council (MCC) has not yet approved applications for nine antiretrovirals - although some of these applications were made almost four years ago.

DCS: too many delays in dealing with corruption

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:11:13 +0200

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has investigated alleged substantial fraud and corruption in the awarding of a catering contract in 2004 to Bosasa by the Department of Correctional Services (DCS). However, this matter has not been dealt with until recently because of constant delays. The SIU report was handed to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), however the NPA confirmed in a letter yesterday, that the police needed to investigate the matter before the NPA could act. The Department of Correctional Services had however, not opened a docket with police in order for them to investigate, all leading to unacceptable delays. Whilst these departments are splitting hairs and dilly dallying, the corruption and fraud allegations remain looming, placing serious doubt on the government's commitment to fighting corruption.

Green drop assessment: majority of South Africa's wastewater treatment facilities score less than 50%

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:09:03 +0200

A reply to a Democratic Alliance (DA) parliamentary question has confirmed the DA's allegation that only 32 of the wastewater treatment works assessed for compliance with Green Drop certification criteria have been awarded the Green Drop. This equates to a compliance level of just 7%.

Cronin's response on R75-million transport conferences indicative of ANC government's propensity to plunder

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:04:15 +0200

The Democratic Alliance's (DA) yesterday raised concerns over the Department of Transport's remarkable decision to spend R75.7-million on four conferences, including R12-million on VIP shuttle services, and countless more millions on freebies and perks for the visiting delegates. In response to this the Deputy Minister of Transport, Jeremy Cronin is being quoted as saying that South Africa was obliged to spend this money, and he has accused the DA of being mischievous.

DA requests urgent question be tabled to President, Public Protector heeds call for investigation

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 11:42:56 +0200

I will today write to the Speaker of Parliament, Max Sisulu, to request that an urgent question be tabled to President Zuma, about his failure to comply with the Executive Members Ethics Act, ahead of President's Question Time, next week Thursday.

DA writes to Auditor-General to request special audit into Malema tenders

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 11:25:25 +0200

After the news emerged this week that Julius Malema's SGL Engineering Projects has been awarded two new tenders worth R2.2 million by the Polokwane municipality, I have today written to the Auditor-General's regional office in Polokwane, to request a special audit of all tenders awarded to Malema's companies.