Statement by Nqabayomzi Kwankwa, UDM Deputy President and Leader in Parliament The United Democratic Movement (UDM) firmly refutes the misconception being propagated in the media and on social media that it voted in favour of the 0.5-percentage-point VAT hike. This claim is entirely false and misrepresents the Party’s stance on the matter. The UDM voted for the 2025/2026 Budget Fiscal Framework with the strict proviso that “the Minister of Finance facilitates the receipt of substitute revenue proposals from the committee, together with corresponding expenditure savings, that will form the basis of an alternative revenue proposal instead of the proposed 0.5 percentage point increase in VAT for the 2025/26 financial year, effective 1 May 2025, in respect of which the committee has expressed serious concerns.” as articulated in Paragraph 6.29 of the “Report of the Standing Committee on Finance on the 2025 Fiscal Framework And Revenue Proposals, dated 01 April 2025”. The UDM furthermore took into consideration Paragraph 6.30 of the same document which reads: “…the committee recommends that the alternative revenue proposals and expenditure savings to balance the R28 billion shortfall which must effectively suspend the proposed increases be finalised and submitted by the committee to process within 30 days for consideration and adoption of this report by the house.” The UDM advocates for a pragmatic approach to South Africa’s economy, emphasising the urgent need to balance the books - something that is not happening at present. The government cannot afford to suspend critical social welfare programmes like the Special COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, yet it also cannot afford them without securing additional funding. While tax hikes are vastly unpopular, the reality is that the R28 billion shortfall must be addressed to keep essential programmes running.
Statement by Zandile Phiri, Acting Secretary General of the United Democratic Movement The United Democratic Movement (UDM) expresses its sympathies to the family of Joseph Maimela, a Grade 12 student from Kgabo Secondary School in Mokgokong Village, Limpopo, who tragically took his own life in October last year. His death has highlighted serious concerns regarding the role of educators, particularly allegations that teachers at the school may have contributed to his distress. Reports suggest that teachers publicly shared Joseph's progress report card with the entire school, an action that, if confirmed, would be a significant violation of professional conduct and a breach of the student’s dignity and emotional well-being. The Maimela family's frustration with the lack of transparency and delayed action from the Limpopo Department of Education is both understandable and justified. Despite claims from the department that an investigation has been concluded, the family has yet to receive any meaningful updates or information on the status of the case. Six months have passed since Joseph’s death, and the family remains in the dark, without any clarity or assurances that accountability will be pursued. This delay in action has left the family feeling unsupported and neglected by the authorities responsible for overseeing the investigation. In response, the UDM calls for the Limpopo Department of Education to take immediate and decisive action. We call on the Department to speed up the disciplinary process and ensure that those responsible for the alleged bullying are held accountable. The failure to act swiftly would be a disservice to the Maimela family and to all students who deserve to learn in an environment free from fear and harm. Furthermore, the UDM calls for a comprehensive review of how the Department has handled this case, emphasising the need for transparency and better communication with families involved in serious allegations. The broader issue of bullying within schools also requires urgent attention. While young Joseph’s tragic case is particularly devastating, bullying is a pervasive problem that affects many students nationwide. Bullying, whether physical, emotional, or psychological, can have severe consequences on a student’s mental health and well-being. The UDM believes that every student should have the right to a safe and supportive learning environment. Therefore, both educators and policymakers must work together to create schools where students feel valued and protected from harm. Finally, the UDM urges the Limpopo Department of Education, and all provincial education departments, to implement comprehensive anti-bullying strategies in schools. These strategies should include regular teacher training on recognising and addressing bullying, as well as systems that allow students to report bullying confidentially. Schools should also be equipped with mental health resources, including counsellors to support students facing emotional or psychological challenges. The recent data from the Department of Health, revealing that 7,426 children under 18 were treated for suicide attempts in 2023, underscores the critical need for a national focus on mental health in schools, with an emphasis on early intervention and proactive prevention to safeguard the well-being of all students.
Statement by Andile Jabavu, Provincial Secretary of the United Democratic Movement in Gauteng The United Democratic Movement (UDM) in Gauteng welcomes the announcement of what is being called Africa’s largest automotive assembly precinct to be developed in Rosslyn in the City of Tshwane. This multi-billion-rand project is apparently expected to create 150,000 jobs, bringing much-needed employment opportunities to our people in the capital city. For years, the UDM has been advocating for job creation as a key pillar of economic development. This project is a step in the right direction, demonstrating the impact of strategic investments in industry and infrastructure. The Rosslyn precinct, in the City of Tshwane, already hosts major automotive manufacturers including BMW, Nissan, Tata and Iveco, this expansion will further cement Gauteng and South Africa’s position as a leader in automotive production on the continent. The 7,157-hectare precinct will be developed over 40 to 50 years, requiring collaboration between the public and private sectors. This initiative, spearheaded by the Automotive Industry Development Centre in partnership with the City of Tshwane and the Gauteng Provincial Government, which will hopefully attract both local and foreign investment to boost economic growth and industrial development. The aforementioned all being economic strategies which the UDM has long been advocating for. The UDM acknowledges unemployment as a major challenge in South Africa. Despite Tshwane contributing 25% to Gauteng’s R133 billion economy, high unemployment persists. We welcome initiatives that drive job creation and economic growth.. We also encourage all stakeholders, including local communities, businesses and labour representatives, to actively participate in the public consultation process to ensure that this project benefits all South Africans equitably. The UDM will continue to push for policies and projects that create sustainable employment and uplift our economy. We stand in full support of initiatives like the Rosslyn Automotive Industrial Park, which provide opportunities for growth and a better future for our people.
Media Statement by Thandi Nontenja, MP and UDEMWO Secretary General The United Democratic Women’s Organisation (UDEMWO) expresses deep concern over the handling of the case against Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso and his co-accused, Lusanda Sulani and Zikiswa Sitho. After nearly eight years of legal proceedings, the High Court in Gqeberha has acquitted all three accused due to shortcomings in the prosecution's case. This outcome raises serious questions about the efficiency of our justice system and the rights of victims seeking justice. Justice delayed is justice denied. For almost a decade, the complainants in this case have been waiting for a fair and decisive resolution. The prolonged delays, inadequate cross-examination and mishandling of evidence have ultimately resulted in a failure to secure a conviction. This is a devastating setback not only for the complainants but for all South Africans who rely on the courts to uphold justice and protect victims of crime. The court acknowledged that while there were inconsistencies in the complainants' testimonies, the evidence presented by the defence was not properly tested due to prosecution failures. This highlights the urgent need for reforms in how complex criminal cases, especially those involving gender-based violence (GBV) and human trafficking, are handled. UDEMWO calls on the National Prosecuting Authority to urgently review this case and ensure that such procedural failures do not happen again. Victims of serious crimes must not be subjected to drawn-out trials that end in technical acquittals due to prosecutorial weaknesses. We also urge government and legal authorities to strengthen investigative and prosecutorial processes to prevent similar injustices in future. South Africa cannot afford a justice system that fails victims due to inefficiency and unnecessary delays and criminals being set free to perpetrate further crimes against hapless victims; especially GBV victims. UDEMWO will continue to advocate for a legal system that delivers timely and effective justice for all.