SANRAL may not intimidate you!

I have been inundated with calls and emails from Gauteng motorists who have been stopped at various roadblocks. Motorists have shared their experiences with me of how they have been intimidated and threatened by SANRAL and traffic officials. Motorists were being intimidated and threatened into registering with e-tolls This is simply illegal and criminal. Motorists must not be intimidated in any way. There is no compulsion and no legislation to force anyone to sign up to e-tolls. In any case, if such legislation were to exist it would not pass constitutional muster. It is clear that SANRAL is desperate to increase its e-toll subscriptions. It also is desperate to improve its income as clearly the peaceful resistance campaign by the public is working. I am writing to SANRAL CEO, Nazir Alli requesting to meet him to discuss this most concerning matter. When stopped at those roadblocks and one is made to feel uncomfortable, ask the officer to produce his/her certificate of appointment and take note of his/her name and traffic authority he/she works for. The Officer is obliged to identify him- or herself. Should the officer refuse to do so, simply take note of the registration number of the official vehicle on site. Officials may not make enquiries into e-tolls and whether one is registered or not. Nothing obliges one to respond to these questions. Do not be intimidated!

DA requests meeting with Ismail Vadi to discuss e-Tolls ‘rethink’

Reports that Gauteng Transport MEC, Ismail Vadi, has called for a “second look [into e-Tolls]” is a significant development in the DA’s fight against South African National Roads Agency Ltd’s (Sanral) gangster gantries. I will write to MEC Vadi and request a formal meeting with him to discuss the MEC’s change of heart. The DA will also request that the Transport Portfolio Committee, at its first meeting, place e-Tolls and Vadi’s proposed “second look” thereof on the agenda. Vadi concession that no alternative funding model was considered and that there is general dissatisfaction with the funding model confirms our calls and suspicions. It is also a refreshing break from the ANC’s tone deaf party line on the issue. This matter needs to be brought before the committee as a matter of urgency. Before the elections, it was agreed that the committee should invite parties with alternative views on e-Tolls, particularly organisations such as OUTA, to present them to the committee. With civil society, political parties, unions and now even members of the ANC and government calling for the reconsideration of e-Tolls, it’s time the state listens and Parliament makes this a priority. e-Tolls’ continued burden on society, particularly the poor cannot continue. Alternatives need to be considered in a rational and logical manner.

New immigration regulations a threat to tourism and investment

The Department of Home Affairs’ recently gazetted immigration regulations are nothing short of xenophobic and will surely curb tourism, investment and kill jobs. A speculative analysis of these regulations would suggest that Home Affairs is trying to remedy – or rather, cover-up – its rampant permit backlogs by imposing potentially detrimental legislation instead of addressing the mismanagement issues within the department. A main concern with these regulations is that all mention of fees, fines, investment, financial means or income criteria, as well as critical skills list, and lists of industries that are in the “national interest” are excluded. They have also not been subject to public comment and scrutiny. Furthermore, the regulations’ various omissions and shortcomings raise some Constitutional issues that we will explore in due course. In the meantime, I will write to the new Home Affairs Minister, Malusi Gigaba, and request a formal meeting to discuss the detrimental impact of these regulations as soon as possible. Investors, tourists, students and potentially skilled immigrants are likely to be dissuaded by these stringent regulations, in turn jeopardising much-needed job creation and foreign investment. Minister Gigaba’s dismissive attitude towards public outcry and personal appeals regarding these regulations sets a worrisome tone for the new Home Affairs Minister’s term. An efficient Home Affairs department is a crucial component of our country’s economy. The DA will not sit back and let Minister Gigaba’s hubris plunge yet another department into darkness.

World no tobacco day should be a reminder of what tobacco does

World no tobacco day, 31 May 2014, should be used as a reminder for South Africans of the dangers of tobacco. Our youth continue to be the most vulnerable in starting the use of tobacco products. With information and education we can counter the clever marketing produced by tobacco companies which makes our youth nicotine addicts. It has become a norm for tobacco companies to advertise some of their products as “light”, filtered”, “low tar”, “menthol” and even “fruit flavoured” thus implying that these products aren’t as dangerous as they would ordinarily be. This is simply not the case. The scary fact is that according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) most smokers start smoking before the age of 18 and almost a quarter start using tobacco before the age of 10! According to the WHO, harsh anti-tobacco graphic warnings on packaging reduce the number of children who begin smoking and increase the number of smokers who quit. Today tobacco comes disguised in different ways such as in the form of water pipes, hubbly bubblies or hookah-smoking. This is prevalent particularly amongst young people. CANSA (Cancer Association of South Africa) can help people addicted to tobacco to kick this habit with its eKick Butt programme. This is a unique free online smoking cessation programme (http://www.ekickbutt.org.za/). Through this programme the smoker is guided and mentored as they quit smoking and non-smoking becomes a lifelong habit. I ask everyone to support World no tobacco day on the 31st May 2014 by agreeing to take a stand to protect everyone, particularly our youth, from the harmful effects of tobacco and the industry’s manipulation to make people nicotine addicts. Alternately, call us toll-free on 0800 22 66 22, email us at info@cansa.org.za or Write on Our Wall - be sure to join us on Facebook & Twitter and stay in touch with CANSA and others affected by cancer.