Admin
14 Apr, 2019
Bantu Holomisa’s address at a UDM Election Rally at Marikana
• National Leadership of the UDM • Provincial and regional leaders of the party • UDM members and supporters • Fellow South Africans 1. Introduction Greetings to you all and thank you for welcoming the United Democratic Movement (UDM) into your midst with such open arms. We have been here many times after that fateful day on 16 August 2012. We still mourn the loss of life and pray that those who paid with their lives rest in peace. This incident has left an indelible mark on the psyche of this community, especially on the families who were left behind. Since then, promises had been made to help the victims and also to improve the living conditions of the community at large. Nothing has happened, especially here in Marikana where the dust and tin shacks sketch a bleak image of the human suffering in this area. 2. Consequences for the Marikana Massacre To this day, there has been no consequences for those who broke the law when the Marikana Massacre happened. This file will never be closed until this happens and a new government must look into this as soon as possible. However, now that we have a new boss at the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Advocate Shamila Batohi can let this community know how far the NPA is in making its decision to prosecute or not, and if not, why. 3. A failing government system The UDM has been moving around, doing our work, and we have heard your complaints around having access to the most basic of services. Water, electricity, decent housing, medical health care, and so the list goes on. This shows a failing government system that does not have its priorities straight. It shows a government that is run by a party that appears to have their knives out for this community. 4. Strife in the tri-partite alliance There is much irony in the strife that we witness within the tri-partite alliance. We all know that the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) vigorously differs from the economic policies that their partners ratify at African National Congress conferences. It is a mindboggling situation. It simply makes no sense for these people to still be married to each other. Unless, those in cushy positions of power prefers the status quo to remain at the expense of the working class and the unemployed. Investors see that this cart is being pulled by horses going in different directions and they hold their investments at bay. 5. The UDM’s outlook on the role of unions The UDM understands the role unions must play in mining communities such as yours. A UDM government will work with all unions. We are adamant that services and wealth should not be withheld, just because a union chooses to side with hardworking men and women, and not with a particular political party. 6. Restructuring Nedlac There is a generalised political challenge within the ruling party and the tripartite alliance. This shows most clearly in the work supposedly being done in the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac). This structure has four very weak legs upon which it stands: 1. Nedlac’s limited composition i.e. only government, business and some labour formations, 2. The very labour formations who participate in this forum are in bed with the ANC, 3. Business will forever remain cagey and suspicious of their colleagues in the unions, because of this lack of arm’s length and 4. It not only discriminates against and disenfranchises other unions, it also does not have the benefit of other voices such as the unemployed (who most desperately need our economy to work) and other political parties (who represent other interest groups). A UDM government will make it a point to make the necessary changes to address Nedlac’s weaknesses. 7. The ongoing strike at Sibanye-Stillwater and allegations of corruption The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) members has for some time been on strike and it is way overdue for government to come to the party to help resolve the impasse. The UDM calls on government leaders to drop their pettiness and partiality, and get all stakeholders to sit down around a table to find solutions so that the strike will no longer be necessary. Another point I wish to raise is that many retired mineworkers are left out in the cold, literally and figuratively, because retirement contributions and Unemployment Insurance Fund payments, that were deducted from their salaries, have vanished into thin air. The UDM advises Amcu and other unions to appeal to, either the Mpati or the Zondo Commissions, to extend their inquiries into where mineworkers’ monies have gone. These commissions of inquiry have the necessary tools to summon anyone, or any company, to come and account for their alleged misdeeds. 8. Foreign direct investment As you are well aware, both President Ramaphosa and Mineral Resources Minister Mantashe comes from a mining background. Instead of doing something about the circumstances of mineworkers, they have succumbed to the influence of their BEE partners. When they go out to seek direct investment, and they manage to rustle up a few foreign investors, the ANC foists BEE companies on them. And, instead of some of those companies bringing in more money into South Africa, they seek loans from the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and the Public Investment Corporation. We have, for example, seen this happen when the Guptas approached the IDC for a R250-million loan to buy their nonprofitable Shiva Uranium mine This is pure nonsense! 9. The SA tax system South Africa has a tax system that is skewed in favour of the rich and the corporate sector. For example, in South Africa today, private individuals carry the heaviest tax burden. According to the 2019/20 Budget, personal income tax will contribute R552.9 billion to the fiscus in 2019/20, value added tax will contribute R360.5 billion, while Corporate Income Tax will contribute a paltry R229.6 billion for the same period. A UDM government will change this tax system that favours the rich and the corporate sectors at the expense of the poor. We will increase the Corporate Income Tax rate from the current 28% to 31%, which will give us the resources we require for the service delivery needs of our people. Some will argue that increasing the corporate income tax rate will chase investors away. I put it to you that keeping it at 28% has not served as an incentive for foreign direct investment either. Instead, it has resulted in the corporate sector using sophisticated tax avoidance schemes to reduce their tax contribution to the fiscus even more. A UDM government will tighten laws on tax avoidance. To make matters worse, when one takes into account the fact that VAT contributes more to the fiscus than Corporate Income Tax, it is clear that the ANC government balances its budget on the backs of the poor. A UDM government will reduce VAT back to 14% and consider reducing it further in future to protect the poor. 10. What are you to do to change the status quo? Maybe this community is being punished because of their independence from the establishment. Maybe it’s mere vindictiveness of the local tri-partite mafia that’s relegating you to the lowest of the low. You must be strong and refuse to be terrorised into subjugation and realise that your power lies in your ability to vote this mafia out of office on the 8th of May. Thank you
Admin
16 Aug, 2018
Message by Mr BH Holomisa, MP and UDM President on the 16th of August 2018 at the Commemoration of the Marikana Massacre
• Programme Director • The families of the victims of the Marikana Massacre • Ladies and Gentlemen 1. Opening Thank you for allowing me to share in this occasion, the commemoration of the Marikana Massacre. We must always remember what happened on this awful day six years ago, so that it may never be repeated. 2. No consequences for criminals We live in a country where there are no consequences for breaking the law. Worst still when it is our very own government that is doing so. It is frustrating that there are no consequences for those who steal; there are no consequences for those who engage in corruption and there are no consequences for those guilty of murder. This must stop. 3. The UDM’s message to mineworkers It is the mineworkers of this country that must bring about change in how government manages the mineworking industry. Each time there is a cabinet reshuffle the policies change as a new personality takes over the reins. The mining experts are frustrated, because they are being tossed around by politicians. This too must stop. It is time for the owners and the mineworkers to get their acts together and speak the same language on this score. 4. Land and the purpose of the parliamentary committee’s hearings Whilst I have the opportunity, I want to remind you that the parliamentary hearings that took place all over the country, were to determine whether the constitution should in fact be amended or not. This is phase one. The second phase is where the “how” part should be discussed, whether the parliamentary committee recommends that the constitution should be amended or not. The current land-owners such as government, big business, the Anglo’s of this world and the traditional leaders and churches should meet under one roof, together with political parties, to hammer out the “how” part of such a process. People’s expectations have been raised and phase 2 must happen very soon, as there has already been threats of land grabs and even civil war. 5. When will things change? What each of us must take to heart is that things will not change unless we take to task those who have disappointed us… those who have abandoned us. We must stop moaning and do something about those who squander and pillage state resources. It is time for the South African voters to say: NO MORE. We will no longer be fooled by your empty election promises. The ANC must be punished come the 2019 elections. Their support should be drastically cut back as a lesson to any party which thinks it can walk over South Africans. That power lies in the voters’ hands alone; it lies in your hands alone. 6. Closing As I close, I say to the families of those who lost their lives, as well as to those who survived that fateful day; We will keep you in our prayers. We hope that time heals some of your sorrows and that peace will replace some of your heartache. Thank You
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 Aug, 2017
Dlamini-Zuma visit to Marikana – a gimmick
Statement issued by Thandi Nontenja – UDEMWO Secretary General The United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation (UDEMWO) notes with anger the visit of Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma in Marikana, North West. It was just a gimmick. Her visit was nothing but a campaigning stunt. As the country celebrated women and their role in the month of August, we do not remember her visiting or mentioning anything about the women who lost their relatives during Marikana Massacre. Dlamini Zuma is nothing but an opportunist along with her team. They must stop taking people for a ride to fulfil their mission. The ruling party’s women’s league is quiet on matters relating to women but it is easy for them to use the same vulnerable women so they can be in power. The women’s league seems clueless on its role in the society or it is only in existence to protect corruption and to promote women abuse as they have shown previously. We commend the community of Marikana for not allowing her in the area. That should be a lesson and a message that people are tired of fruitless promises. End
Admin
07 Jul, 2015
Letter by Bantu Holomisa, MP to President Jacob Zuma: Marikana, UDM proposes a way forward for Marikana Massacre
Dear Honourable President, RE: UDM PROPOSE A WAY FORWARD FOR MARIKANA MASSACRE August 16, 2015 marks the third anniversary of the Marikana massacre. The Marikana massacre stands out as the worst case of police brutality in the post-Apartheid South Africa, where more than 30 miners were massacred by the South African Police for demanding a living wage and an improvement in their working conditions. The Nation and the families of the victims of the massacre eagerly awaited the release of the report of the Marikana Commission Inquiry, hoping against hope that it would once and for all provide answers to lingering questions about what really happened during that fateful day and who was responsible for it. Upon its release, the report fell hopelessly short of expectations. It provides no clear answers and holds no political leader accountable for the tragic incident, which leaves South Africans and the families of the victims none the wiser. In the midst of all this doom and gloom, and notwithstanding the processes that are currently underway to deal with the after effects of the Marikana massacre, there are a few additional options your Office could explore to turn the situation around, and they are: Establishment of a Committee It is our considered view that Government should initiate the establishment of a Committee compromised of all the relevant stakeholders in Marikana to discuss a possible way forward, which should include, but not limited to, compensation to the families of victims. Such a step would go a long way towards addressing the families’ bread and butter issues, as many of them struggle to make ends meet because their bread winners perished in that tragic incident. Annual Marikana Day In order to prevent such barbaric acts from happening again in future, the United Democratic Movement (UDM) proposes that August 16 be commemorated annually as the National Marikana Day. This will also serve as a reminder to both current and future generations that the price of democracy is eternal vigilance against any abuses of power whether by the state or its organs. We will also table this proposal at the first sitting of Parliament in July as a Motion Without Notice in an attempt to get the National Assembly to officially adopt it as its resolution. I Iook forward to hearing from you. Kind regards, Bantu Holomisa, MP UDM President
Admin
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
