Admin
28 Jun, 2019
Violent service delivery protests claim lives: this is not on!
The United Democratic Movement has observed that there have been too many service delivery protests around South Africa, prior to elections and after. We hoped to see less of these occurrences, especially after elections, but seemingly they are increasing on a daily basis. We saw what happened when the red ants overran Alexandra in Johannesburg, when the life of a three months old baby was claimed. Yesterday in Philippi (Cape Town), another four-months’ old infant lost her life because of the use of teargas. Not only was an infant deprived of life, but two persons, trying to get away from stone throwers, were killed. This is a travesty. South Africans endure the pain of being neglected by government whilst it continues to pay lip service when it comes to service delivery. Government never honours its promises. Instead of helping people, government responds to them with violence. How long should we see such events? How long should the people of South Africa suffer, when they are only asking for basic necessities such as; shelter, water and roads, to name a few. To the families of those whose lives were lost, may you be comforted. Issued by Mr Bongani Msomi UDM Secretary General
Admin
24 Jul, 2018
Government is failing or unwilling to solve taxi violence
Statement by Mr Bongani Msomi, UDM Secretary General The United Democratic Movement (UDM) condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the continued violence in the taxi industry. The killing of eleven taxi operators at the weekend is senseless and not long ago, many lives were lost in Mthatha in taxi violence. It cannot be business as usual while our people are suffering. The country is in crisis, as far too many people lose their lives as taxi violence continues to pervade many areas in the country. This needs to come to an end. It is clear that local authorities have failed to solve the problem. The national authorities should intervene swiftly and find lasting solutions to the perennial taxi wars. We also convey a message of condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their lives.
Admin
14 Jun, 2018
UDEMWO condemns attack of teacher in school premises
The United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation (UDEMWO) is disturbed and shocked by the attack of a teacher by two students in a video that is making rounds on the social networks this week. The behaviour of the students is not acceptable. This incident occurred in school grounds in broad day light. It is reported that the assault started after the teacher confiscated a cell phone of one of the students when she was playing music in class. The teacher had every right to exercise that in class. Reports are that, the two girls waited for the teacher after school and started beating and kicking her. The behaviour of these students cannot be justified in anyway. We have been noticing the continuing disrespect and humiliation of teachers by students for a very long time. Measures must be taken to put an end to this. In another video, young boys are seen touching in an inappropriate manner a young girl who somehow looks intoxicated with drugs. The boys are forcing themselves on the girl while trying to penetrate her. This is such a horrible scene to watch. We cannot fold arms while things are going on like this. What is the role of the governing body at our schools? Why our schools have turned into warzone? Even young girls have turned to be aggressive. What kind of future generation will this country have? Teachers are also living in fear while in classrooms. They are not protected at all; hence the quality of education is getting weaker and weaker by day. How do we expect them to excel in their job while our children are a threat to them? Our education system is a disaster and swift action needs to be taken before things turn even more out of hand. Our schools have turned from being a place of safety for both teachers and pupils to be a battlefield. The Department of Education, parents and all those involved must come together to have a solution on the crisis that has plagued our schools. UDEMWO condemns the attack. Issued by: Thandi Nontenja UDEMWO Secretary General
Admin
07 Dec, 2017
Annual festive season road fatalities: arrive alive
As the festive season approaches, the United Democratic Movement (UDM) dreads the annual increase in road injuries and fatalities during this period; especially since we have already seen some dreadful accidents, particularly in the Eastern Cape, Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, and the festive season is not yet in full swing. The months of December and January see the busiest time on our highways and byways with everyone excited to travel, have fun and visit loved ones at home. We are hopeful that this excitement will not be cut unnecessarily short with injuries and loss of life. The UDM calls on all road users to be responsible, vigilant, disciplined and to abide by the law. Many accidents are avoidable. We cannot continue losing lives due to the misbehaviour and ill-discipline; especially because of unroadworthy vehicles, overloading, drunk driving and jaywalking. We also hope that the authorities will not be lenient on those who break the law and put lives at risk; especially long-distance drivers who overload their vehicles. Law enforcement official must make sure that they are always visible. We wish all South Africans a wonderful December-break and safe travels. Issued by Mr Bongani Msomi, UDM Secretary General
Admin
23 Nov, 2017
UDM welcomes the appointment of our new National Police Commissioner
The United Democratic Movement (UDM) welcomes the appointment of General KJ Sitole as our new National Police Commissioner. It is good that he comes from inside the ranks of the South African Police Services (SAPS). This means that he is a career professional and would therefore have a sound understanding of the challenges that face our police personnel; unlike his predecessors who were just parachuted in. Commissioner Sitole should be keenly aware that South Africa is in turmoil where safety and security, and civil disobedience, are concerned. The country has become a playground for thugs, hijackers, thieves, rapists, murderers and drug dealers. To compound the situation, police brutality, as well as inefficient service, bungling administration and corruptible personnel, have resulted in a loss of confidence in SAPS. This is must to stop. The law-abiding citizens must feel safe in their homes and when walking on the streets in our towns and villages. The country expects him to make a tangible difference in SAPS and we urge him to guard against becoming a puppet of those who might be pushing political agendas. Commissioner Sitole and his team must only serve in the name of restoring order, safety and security in our communities. He must be firm in executing his duties and he must not tolerate corrupt police officers who collude with criminals and/or succumb to bribery and/or extortion. We ask that Commissioner Sitole should come up with practical strategies to permanently curb continued crime that is holding our beautiful country, and her people, at ransom. The UDM hopes that Commissioner Sitole will, as soon as possible, set the ball in motion to restore the dignity and image of the police services and we wish him good luck. We will be watching his progress to see what positive, sustainable changes he brings about at SAPS. Statement by Mr Bongani Msomi, UDM Secretary General
Admin
24 Feb, 2017
UDM condemns attacks on foreign nationals – statement by Bongani Msomi, UDM Secretary General
The United Democratic Movement (UDM) condemns in strongest terms the violent march that is currently taking place in Pretoria and surroundings. The march that was allegedly aimed at highlighting the high level of crimes engulfing our country and it is believed that these crimes are perpetrated by foreign nationals who are in the country illegally. As an Organisation, we understand where our people are coming from. There is no employment, human trafficking and prostitution are rife and the police are failing to deal with these negative developments in our communities. South African citizens seem to be on the receiving ends – They report crimes but police take their own time to respond hence they resort in taking law into their hands. The ANC-led government departments are not doing their work; our borders are open to illegal immigrants as they are not secured. The Home Affairs department is also failing to process timeously the application for asylums hence South Africa is experiencing quite a huge number of illegal immigrants. The UDM calls for the ANC to do a good thing and take care of its citizens otherwise the country is sitting on a time bomb where Africans will end up fighting each other.
Admin
21 Jun, 2016
UDM condemns violent protests in Tshwane
The United Democratic Movement (UDM) is concerned about the direction this country is taking under the leadership of the ruling party, ANC. Currently, Tshwane is in flames, with disgruntled ANC members are taking to the streets burning tyres and destroying the little that the community has. We condemn, amongst others, the looting of shops, burning of cars, damage to private properties and harming of innocent lives. These reckless acts by the protesters are unacceptable. The country is at standstill with many violent protests and the ANC with its government are mum. It is high time that citizens realise that the ruling party has never taken community protest serious. We are asking ourselves why they would think they will be taken serious now. Instead of destroying the little the community has, it is time that you express your anger and frustration through the ballot paper, excising your power by voting for change and change is now. Statement issued by: Tshwane Regional Convenor
Admin
20 Jan, 2016
ANC must refrain from violence
As the United Democratic Movement, we are disappointed by the ANC member, Bongani Mkongi, who holds a high position in the ruling party who took to social media calling upon ANC members for the burning and killing of innocent lives that were inside a block of flats where a ”Zuma Must Fall” banner was hung. This is unacceptable. His comments have shown clearly that the ruling party and its leaders do not care about the citizens but only care for their own. The UDM is calling for punitive measures against Mkongi or any person who thinks they can make statements that could possibly incite violence. This country has passed the hard times where people were killed by those in power for no reason. The South African Constitution states clearly that everyone has a right to live and we will not allow this country to be run like in the past. His apology is not enough as the damaged has been done already. If the ANC is truly against Mkongi’s irresponsible comments, it must take harsh actions against him. The nation is waiting and watching what the ruling party will do. Statement issued by UDM Secretary General, Bongani Msomi
Admin
09 Jun, 2015
Police must refrain from using grenades and live ammunition when dispersing members of the public
It is with great sadness that during the Youth Month in South Africa we hear of a sad event of a student that was shot and seriously injured by police. This shows that as a country, we are still far from being free. The act by the South African Police Service officials have once again taken us aback and reminded the nation of the sad times during the apartheid era when students were shot and killed for demanding their right to education. The shooting of an 18 year old student Mawande Ngoyo from Lindelani Senior Secondary School in the Eastern Cape who is in a serious condition in hospital is really saddening and is raising question of whether as South Africans are we free indeed. Everyday we hear about brutal acts of police when dealing with public protests and this is deeply worrying that live ammunition are being used. As the United Democratic Movement, we are against the vandalism of properties when members of the public are not happy with service delivery and other things but the use of live ammunition is not acceptable at all. We therefore are calling upon the Police Minister, Nathi Nhleko, to come up with ways of dispersing and dealing with large gatherings. We would also like to wish a speedy recovery to Mawande. Statement issued by UDM SECRETARY GENERAL – Mr Bongani Msomi
Admin
26 Aug, 2014
Link between civil disobedience and poor service delivery
Government has blinkers on when it comes to the consequences of poor service delivery, particularly at local government level. Disingenuous representatives of government stand on their soapboxes shouting that they are doing their jobs. Judging by the volcano of protests against poor service delivery that erupts every now and again in all corners of the country, this is patently untrue. The United Democratic Movement (UDM) is of the view that government either willfully downplays incidents or meets service delivery protests with vicious action using its security organs to silence any dissenting voice. To add insult to injury the ANC brotherhood instantly closes ranks when it comes to criticism levelled at them – even if it is constructive criticism. Much of the civil disobedience we see is a symptom of poor service delivery and it also is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, one can hardly blame a frustrated citizenry – who have no water, electricity, etc. – when they demonstrate and protest. On the other hand, where does one draw the line? We after all do not live in a lawless society and those who break the law must be arrested, make their cases in court and accept the judgements if they are guilty. One can philosophise indefinitely, but there is a fine balance between action and reaction and once the precedence of unmitigated violence has been established it spirals out of control and becomes the norm. What however boggles the mind is: why does government (at all three tiers) refuse to see this and intervene timeously, or even better, do their jobs right in the first instance? It is statements such as “…we don’t know how long the committee will take…” (after Ekurhuleni Mayor Mondli Gungubele announced an audit into Daveyton residents’ housing complaints) that elicits chaos. The problems should have been proactively addressed and the mayor should have had his answers ready. Media Statement by Mr Bongani Msomi, UDM Secretary General
