ANC must apologise unreservedly and act immediately

“Last month, Eskom implemented loadshedding across the country, saying its coal stockpiles had been drenched by rain. The power utility said it expected two more years of strained power supply while it awaited the completion of the country's new power stations.” This was the year 2013.

In a week marked by the Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa) being placed under administration, SAA filing its notice to be placed under voluntary business rescue and yet another collapse of Eskom’s generating capacity, we are again reminded of the ANC’s complicity and inaction.

All state-owned enterprises including Prasa, SAA and Eskom were plundered by Jacob Zuma and his associates, and the ANC allowed for this to happen through its continued support for the then nothonourable president.

Zuma was re-elected for a second term by ANC members. Under his presidency, five draft resolutions for motions of no confidence were brought before the National Assembly. Three motions of no confidence were voted on, one was amended and one was withdrawn. The ANC’s MPs supported Zuma in all motions of no confidence, even when told that corruption had spiralled out of control.

What we are experiencing today is a result of each ANC MP’s continued support for Zuma and their organisation rather than doing what was best for the country.

2019 is the 12th year of load-shedding for South Africans. What a total disgrace! This year has also been marred by SA facing lower economic growth, the highest unemployment rates ever, rising fiscal deficits and the prospect of a deeper slide into junk territory. To date, the ANC has not instituted any disciplinary processes or legal action against any of its members. To date, the ANC has done nothing.

President Cyril Ramaphosa and leaders of the ANC: the people of SA are angry and frustrated and carry the burden of your continued support for the looters of the state. It is time for an unreserved apology and immediate action.

Marius Bosman, Randburg

Drought plea from the PAC

As the PAC secretary for land affairs, I humbly write this letter concerning the hard-hitting and prolonged drought experienced in the Eastern Cape:

Mr President, I appeal to you and your government to declare the Eastern Cape a drought disaster area.

This is due to the fact that there is no rain, there is a shortage of water, grazing land (and grass) is dry and white, livestock is suffering, animals are dying, and small farmers and ordinary people are suffering. Farming is an important investment for many Africans, and to some the only means of survival. When there is no water there is no life for many people in the Eastern Cape.

The PAC proposes that a drought relief fund be established and co-ordinated by all spheres of government (local, provincial and national government).

We appeal to the president to visit the Eastern Cape to see for himself the huge, horrible drought that makes the people suffer and struggle to survive. Small-scale farmers are the ones hit hard because they do not have capital resources to protect their herds and crops from dying. Crop production is severely affected, and agricultural products are shrinking drastically as a result.

Mr President, whenever there is drought, cholera, diarrhoea, malnutrition and general debilitating health conditions often visit the people and cause unprecedented pain and suffering.

This has the potential to put strain on the already overstretched health-care system in the province. Your intervention will be highly appreciated by the people who made it possible for you to rise to the position of the president of the ANC and the country.

The PAC appeals to you, Mr President, to take the matter of drought in the Eastern Cape seriously by ensuring that drastic measures are put in place to thwart the anguish of the people, plants and animals. I strongly believe that your responsiveness and sensitivity on the matter will be heightened.

Manelisi Mampana, PAC secretary for land affairs, Sandton

Medical scheme changes wasteful

Every year around October/November medical aid societies rename their benefit options. They give them new names, which means new marketing material, new membership cards, new information and all the things related to minor changes in the options.

All these new names and all the expenses related to rebranding come with a lot more costs for medical aid schemes.

Why is there a need for this? How much members’ money is being wasted by the medical schemes, management and trustees by these minor changes?

So much time, effort and cost is going into it, whereas this money could be saved and help to reduce membership fees and improve benefits for members.

This is money-making and wasteful expenditure.

The Council for Medical Schemes is controlled by the medical aid schemes and is toothless.

It is such wasteful expenditure of scarce resources by the trustees and management of medical aid schemes, and yet it is done year after year.

The government has to set up a commission of inquiry to look at these minute changes in options.

Ruby Mabatha, Morningside

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