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17 Aug, 2018
PIC commission to start it’s work in “due course”
The United Democratic Movement (UDM) has noted that President Ramaphosa has announced the appointment of a commission of inquiry to probe the Public Investment Corporation (PIC) and the dark cloud of corruption allegations hanging over the institution. It is however frustrating that the names of the chair of the commission and the supporting team, as well as the detailed terms of reference will be announced “in due course”. What does National Treasury mean with “in due course”? They have been saying this for the last three weeks or so; it would appear that this could be months from now, which is enough time for the guilty to send the proof of the misdeeds to the shredder; if it has not happened already. The UDM outright rejects the idea that the PIC board – which includes CEO Dr Dan Matjila who is also under the cloud of suspicion – should be given the task of appointing the forensic company. The board appointing the audit firm is tantamount to a thief appointing his own judge and jury. National Treasury or the commission itself should appoint such a forensic company. To make matters worse, the board has neglected its fiduciary duty by outsourcing the decision to suspend the CEO to the forensic auditors. The UDM reiterates our call that Dr Matjila must be immediately suspended until the commission concludes its work.
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22 Sep, 2017
Heritage Day 2017
As the country celebrates another Heritage Month – and Heritage Day on Sunday – the United Democratic Movement (UDM) calls for ways to resolve the intolerance and conflict between South Africans, which seems to have become the norm. We face huge challenges of cultural intolerance and racism; and it is taking a toll on South Africans’ psyche. To compound an already challenging set of circumstances, it still shocks that Bell Pottinger was so recklessly used (and let itself be used) to drive racial wedges deeper into our Rainbow Nation. We must not forget that South Africans from all walks of life fought hard for our collective freedom. If we harness the same energy we used to eradicate apartheid, we can unify and let our racial diversity be an asset. We cannot afford to lose this battle, because we cannot allow the blood of our heroes and heroines to be have been spilt in vain. As we are in the celebratory mood, we need to ensure that we bring the spirit of unity amongst South Africa and Africans in general. Let us use our various backgrounds, experiences and perspectives to find solutions to the problem. It is all our responsibility to build a common set of values that bind our diverse peoples together. UDM wishes every South African a wonderful Heritage Day. Statement issued by Mr Bongani Msomi, UDM Secretary General
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04 Aug, 2017
UDM President Bantu Holomisa, MP – The motion of no confidence debate and the secret ballot
Speaking notes for UDM President Bantu Holomisa, MP The motion of no confidence debate and the secret ballot on 4 August 2017 at the Cape Town Press Club, Grill Room, Kelvin Grove, Cape Town, at 13:00 Programme Director Ladies and gentlemen Introduction South Africans have long agreed that Mr Zuma is no longer a legitimate President of the Country. The damning Constitutional Court judgment which found that he failed to respect, uphold and defend the Constitution, sealed his fate. The rest of the daily revelations, on the ills of his presidency, are a vindication of the point that he has completely lost the plot. This is a man who will, in the next four days, face the eighth motion of no confidence in him. This means that on average Mr Zuma has faced at least one motion of no confidence for every year of his presidency. I make this point to simply illustrate that there is overwhelming consensus that Mr Zuma should urgently vacate this honourable office, because he is no longer honourable. The Constitutional Court expressed itself again when it confirmed, on the 22nd of June, that the Speaker has the discretionary power to determine the voting method for a no-confidence motion. It also counselled her on how to discharge that power, in the interest of the Constitution and the citizens of South African, and confirmed public representatives’ obligations to our constitutional democracy. The Secret Ballot The call for a secret ballot is no longer a United Democratic Movement matter, but one for each and every South African. The Conference for the Future of South Africa (held on 18 July), which was attended by no less than 130 civil society organisations, confirmed the need for Mr Zuma’s immediate departure, as well as that of a secret ballot. Every day the ruling party – through its Secretary General (SG), its Chief Whip or any other member – vindicates the citizens’ call for a secret ballot. We all know that the Speaker is heavily conflicted and is unlikely to take her cue from the Constitution or listen to the guidance of the Constitutional Court. As always, her decision will be a Luthuli House decision. The fact that she is delaying her decision speaks volumes. Scenarios If the Speaker grants a secret ballot, the debate will follow and the vote will take place as planned. We can only hope that all 400 members of the National Assembly (NA) will listen to the Constitutional Court’s guidance and put South Africa first by voting in favour of the motion. If the motion succeeds, the Constitution provides for the resignation of the President, the Deputy President and all members of the Executive. The Speaker would then act as President and, within 30 days, an election of the new President must take place. The UDM will respect the electorate’s 2014-choice of voting the African National Congress (ANC) into power. The removal of Mr Zuma is not about regime change but about a clean and responsive governance. If the Speaker does not grant the secret ballot, there are two possibilities: Firstly, and depending on her grounds for refusal, the Speaker’s decision may be referred for judicial review. In this case, the parties that moved the motion may have to withdraw pending such a review. This applies whether the Speaker announces her decision on the eve, or on the day, of the debate. Secondly, the debate may continue as planned and an open vote takes place. In this case, our interest (and those of South Africans) will be focussed on the ANC-benches. We would want to see whether the ANC members are: loyal to their personal financial interests, their ANC factional interests or the interests of the Country and its citizens. It is equally important to see who, amongst the 400 NA members, are loyal to the Constitution and the Country, as opposed to those who want to defend the indefensible. We know, that the “other faction” of the ANC would wish to kick the ball into touch and prevent this debate from taking place in 2017. They intend to wait until Mr Zuma is no longer ANC President so that they can ask him to step down or move the same motion from their own quarters. The ANC SG is on record saying that it is not easy to remove a sitting ANC president from the Union Buildings. On August the 8th We call on all UDM members and citizens in general to join the national wide protests and those who can, march to parliament on the day. Beyond the 8th of August Irrespective of the outcome of the debate and the vote on Tuesday, South Africa will still need to function. The UDM will continue betting on a wicket of anti-corruption and clean governance. In this regard, we will prevail on whoever is the head of government to: Ensure that the revelations found in the popular “Gupta emails”, are acted upon, by, amongst others, ensuring that the relevant state institutions are doing their work. Police must investigate and arrest, the Prosecution Authority must prosecute and secure convictions. Suspend all Ministers and state officials who are alleged to have done wrong, pending the investigations. Ensure that all contracts suspected of been wrongly awarded, must be suspended. Provide support and security for all public servants and members of the public who are exposing corruption and wrong doing in state institutions. Provide full support to all Chapter Nine Institutions and clean the State Owned Enterprises of corrupt individuals. Rid the Country of lawlessness that seem to be the order of the day under Mr Zuma’s presidency. We will also support the criminal cases opened by citizens and organisations against all the people who are alleged to be guilty of corruption and fraudulent activities. We will continue to mobilise society against all forms of corruption, and in support of clean governance, and the respect of law and the Constitution. The struggle against state capture is not over and it will need all of us to work collectively and tirelessly against it. Conclusion Whatever the Speaker’s decision, we remain resolved to rid South Africa of a president whose primary occupation is the total collapse of the Country. Unlike the ANC, we are impatient with his continued stay in office and we will work hard to ensure that the Country is saved from him and his cronies. South Africans should seriously consider an electoral method that puts the power into their hands. The UDM champions the reform of our current electoral system in favour of the citizens, rather than the self-interested political parties. Twenty-three years of ANC abuse of power has taught us an expensive, but valuable lesson. I thank you
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23 Oct, 2015
Advancing Infrastructure Investment and Development for better Services to Communities
Hon Chairperson and Members A well targeted, strategic and access to comprehensive set of basic infrastructure services, is essential to attain social and economic goals and ensure equal opportunity for all people to participate in a country’s economy. Although numerous laws and policies intended to improve people’s quality of life and promote economic and social transformation were introduced since the dawn of democracy, such have achieved mixed successes and the people are still experiencing unemployment, poverty and inequality. The negative effects of a crumbling infrastructure are more severe in rural municipalities and communities. This is confirmed by the National Development Plan (NDP) when it diagnosed the differences between urban and rural areas with regard to access to basic infrastructure services, and their quality. Generally, urban areas are well-serviced in terms of electricity, water and sanitation, information and communication, and transport; while their rural counterparts fall significantly short in these respects. Rural infrastructure backlogs are a challenge and they also inhibit economic and social inclusion in rural areas. A proper and deliberate investment into this area, will impact significantly in addressing the triple challenges and would benefit greatly rural areas with regard to addressing poverty and inequality. In this regard, we want to propose that the house adopt a resolution on the creation of a dedicated Rural Infrastructure Development Fund. Its primary purpose is to address the inherent backlogs and bring these communities into par with their urban counterparts to an extent that is practically relevant to the rural socio economic development priorities. The current Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG), is limited and favours urban municipalities. Investment into rural infrastructure should inform decisions on how and where to invest towards the most deprived municipalities and citizens. Rural infrastructure funding should include or emphasise a set of investments on rural roads, water supply and sanitation, energy and telecommunications, and agricultural processing. The provision of rural infrastructure is an important agent in the reduction of poverty and exclusion, in the strengthening of social capital, and in providing conditions for improving the provision of services. Rural Infrastructure Development Fund, to be created should not only rely on public purse, but, mobilise private sector to contribute with incentives. The advantage of creating a dedicate Rural Infrastructure Development Fund will create an opportunity for more focused rural infrastructure development in a more holistic manner. Finally, Rural Infrastructure Development Funds will be designed to work with communities using a demand – responsive approach. This gives an advantage for integration across sectors while promoting a sense of ownership that contributes to sustainability. Thank you
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10 Sep, 2015
Unemployed graduates
Address by Ms CN Majeke, MP in the National Assembly Hon Speaker and members According to the 2014 Statistic South Africa Quarterly Labour Force Survey 4, the unemployment rate amongst men with tertiary qualification ranged from 1.9% to 11% whilst amongst women with the same qualification ranged from 2.5% to 16.1%. Looking at Thembinkosi Phakathi, a 22 year old Public Relations graduate from the Durban University of Technology, standing at the corner of Rivonia Road and Sandton Drive, begging for nothing else but a job, so that amongst others, he can be able to pay back the NSFAS debt. On the other side of the road, the Grayston Drive, stands a 25 year old qualified electrical engineer, Tankiso Motaung, joining in what can be called “Graduate’s Street Marketing”, for no less than eight hours with a placard begging for a job. In the mist of all this painful sight, are daily media reports about many in both the public and private sector, in positions of employment, with either no qualification, or fraudulently claimed qualification. The scourge of Fake Qualifications in the labour market may outnumber the number of qualified graduates looking for employment. There is an urgent need for decisive intervention with drastic actions in defence of the poor unemployed young and old qualifying citizens, the economy of our country and indeed in order to ensure effective and efficient delivery of services to the people. Amongst others, this needs to be declared a national crisis so that urgent practical and lasting solutions can be found with speed. Lessons on these matters can be drawn from many other similar campaigns we had as a country, like the TRC, Gun Free Society as well as from countries which have dealt with similar situations. We must STOP FAKE QUALIFICATION and CREATE JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR QUALIFIED CITIZENS. Thank you.
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07 Sep, 2015
Fight against the murder of police officers
Addres by Mr LB Gaehler EC NCOP MP in the National Council of Province Honourable Chairperson and Honourable Members In the light of the continuing increase on the number of police officers murdered, this year alone, the country needs to consider a number of interventions to respond to this matter of national concern. Amongst others, there is a need to insist that anyone becoming National Police Commissioner must have a certain amount of police operational experience. There are many of those who can be found from within the service. This should be linked with a need to have the National Police Commissioner chosen by a special majority in parliament like it is done when appointing the Inspector – General of Intelligence. There is also need to look at practical ways to make local policing forums more representative of the people with added capacity in order for them to play a more practical role in assisting the work of the police in the safety of all citizens. This challenge of police killings, demands that the leaders of the police double their work in improving the overall management of the use of force by police officers. Simply threatening harsh sanctions against police murderers, and encouraging police to focus on using more force in their interaction with criminal suspects, is unlikely to improve officer safety. It will play into systematic police brutality, which will cause civilians to become fearful and less cooperative with the police. Police leadership needs urgently to start focusing on improving the strategic, management and internal accountability capacity that will support professional policing. Police members need to be prepared to be better able to confront dangerous criminals and defend themselves and citizens using lethal force. They need the necessary skills and confidence to handle the complexities they confront in the daily engagement with the public while enforcing the law against all criminals. There is also an urgent need to improve the public trust in police by amongst others, decrease police corruption and brutality. Communities must be mobilised to start respecting and supporting police officers as public servants who are well trained to behave according to much higher standard than civilians. Professional police officers must be encouraged and be skilled to avoid using force in their interaction with members of the public unless and only when it is necessary. South Africa wants a police force that can be trusted because its leaders are beyond reproach and its members are widely recognised as professional, respectful and accountable to the needs of the communities they serve. UDM says STOP POLICE KILLINGS NOW – A POLICE IS YOUR BROTHER AND SISTER TOO!! Thank you
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26 May, 2015
UDM sympathises with the Marikana Massacre victims and their families
The decision to take President Jacob Zuma to court by the family members, injured workers of the Marikana massacre and AMCU is the best action to force Zuma to release the findings of the investigation. As the United Democratic Movement, we are in full support of this decision and we hope he will realise the importance of the findings being made public as it is not just a report for the family and the injured miners but a closure of what happened to their loved ones on the 16 August 2012 who were victims in the hands of police while they demanded a better life in the work place. It’s been more than 4 weeks since Zuma received the report but up to now he has not made it known. To South Africans, this is a sign that government does not care about the poor. It is unfair to the victims who lost loved ones while others were brutally injured and now the North West police commissioner Zukiswa Mbombo is evacuating her office at the end of the month while the report has not been made public and she is one of the main state officials to answer to what happened on that day when police officers went berserk killing innocent souls for demanding their rights. Mbombo is not retiring but playing hide and seek, running away from what is in the report. This shows clearly that the delay by Zuma is a way of protecting those close to him and this is disgusting. Statement issued by UDM Secretary General, Bongani Msomi
