Dying diggers of Namaqualand need saving
| by Grantham Steenkamp, MPL – DA Northern Cape Spokesperson of COGHSTA |
| Date: 14 June 2020 |
| Release: Immediate |
| Note to Editors: Please find attached soundbite in English & Afrikaans from Grantham Steenkamp, MPL. While level 3 lockdown regulations, published by Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula, have permitted licensing centres to reopen as from 1 June 2020, ongoing challenges in the Northern Cape are having a detrimental effect on individuals and automobile businesses. The Democratic Alliance is therefore appealing to COGHSTA MEC, Bentley Vass, to urgently intervene to ensure that all municipalities that have not yet opened these services, are assisted to get up and running again.Residents in Frances Baard district, specifically in Phokwane, Magareng and Dikgatlong municipalities, which have remained closed, are bearing the brunt of non-operational centres. In effect, businesses in the motor industry, that were already dealt a heavy blow during levels 5 and 4, and who are still coming to grips with the resultant financial hardships, are especially frustrated by the prolonged and unnecessary closure of licensing centres.The excuse that these municipalities are unable to perform these functions because the premises have not yet been sanitized, two weeks into level 3, is getting old. Municipalities have had more than enough time to ensure that they comply with the regulations.In contrast, businesses in the private sector have been able to get their act together in just a few days, to ensure that they comply with regulations. One can only wonder why the public sector has, as yet, been unable to do the same?The DA has written to MEC Vass, asking that he wastes no time in investigating why certain municipalities have yet to resume their core duties and to hurriedly assist those municipalities that are failing to serve their respective communities.People, especially businesses, need all the support they can get to salvage what is left of their companies and their jobs. Covid-19, and the impact of the lockdown, has done enough damage and no one, least of all government, should stand in their way of making an economic recovery. |
| Media Enquiries |
| Grantham Steenkamp, MPLDA Northern Cape Spokesperson of COGHSTA071 797 6292 Shelley De WittResearcher0828471387 |
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