DA calls for release of overdue Knysna Estuary report

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has called on Knysna Municipality to immediately release its latest report on the Knysna Estuary, saying the document is more than a week overdue.

DA Knysna mayoral candidate Levael Davis said residents deserved transparency about the condition of the estuary, which is an important environmental and economic asset for the town.

The DA has raised concerns about sewage spills, failing pump stations and polluted waterways, warning that continued degradation could affect tourism, local businesses and aquatic ecosystems.

Davis said the party has proposed a plan focused on reducing pollution and improving the municipality’s water and sewage infrastructure.

The proposals include publishing monthly water-quality results, rehabilitating pump stations, conducting an independent assessment of the pipe network and introducing 24-hour monitoring of pump stations.

The DA also says it would publish a five-year pipe replacement and rehabilitation plan and establish a rapid-response system for major infrastructure failures.

DA to grill Gayton McKenzie in committee tomorrow

Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie and officials from his department are expected to appear before Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Sport, Arts and Culture on Tuesday, 25 August, to account for South Africa’s delegation to the 2026 FIFA World Cup and related expenditure.

The meeting is scheduled for 17:30 and will be the second time the minister and department have appeared before the committee on the matter.

During the committee’s previous meeting on 4 August, Members raised concerns about the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture’s presentation and called for a more detailed account of the estimated R31 million spent on the World Cup delegation.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has called for the department to provide detailed information on the 151-member delegation, including the qualifications, experience, roles and responsibilities of each member.

The party also wants a breakdown of the activities undertaken by the delegation, including meetings and engagements involving the minister and other members.

Among the information the DA is seeking is a detailed breakdown of the estimated R31 million expenditure, including costs attributed to individual delegation members, as well as details of sponsorships received.

The party is also calling for information on the return on investment from the expenditure, including measurable benefits for South African sport, arts, culture, tourism and related industries.

DA Sport, Arts and Culture spokesperson Leah Potgieter is expected to raise the questions on behalf of the party.

The committee’s meeting will provide the department and the minister with an opportunity to respond to the concerns raised during the previous hearing and provide further details on the World Cup delegation and its costs.

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