Admin
03 May, 2025
UDM Cape Town condemns arson attack on Kelly Smith’s home; urges respect for the rule of law
Statement by Bongani Maqungwana, UDM Councillor in the City of Cape Town The United Democratic Movement (UDM) in the City of Cape Town strongly condemns the burning of Kelly Smith’s Middelpos home following her conviction for the kidnapping and trafficking of Joshlin Smith. While we understand the anger and heartbreak that this case has stirred in the hearts of many South Africans, we cannot condone lawlessness. No matter how deep the pain, responding with violence or destruction of property is unacceptable. This kind of vigilantism does not serve the cause of justice. It weakens it. Arson is a criminal act and must be dealt with accordingly. Those responsible must face the consequences. The UDM in the City of Cape Town appeals to the public to allow the legal process to take its full course. The courts have made their ruling. Now, the focus must remain on uncovering the full truth and ensuring that Joshlin is found and justice is fully served. We call on the Saldanha Bay community, and the country at large, to act with dignity and restraint. Let us honour Joshlin’s name by upholding the principles of law, not by destroying lives and homes. The fight for justice is not won through fire. It is won through truth, unity and lawful action.
Admin
18 Apr, 2025
Khayelitsha police loses alleged rapist: justice system fails GBV victims yet again
Statement by Bongani Maqungwana, United Democratic Movement Councillor in the City of Cape Town The United Democratic Movement (UDM) in the City of Cape Town is deeply disturbed by reports of gross negligence by members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Khayelitsha on the Cape Flats. A young woman who bravely recently reported raped was failed at every turn by the system meant to protect her. After identifying her alleged attacker, who was apprehended by residents and handed over to police officers from Khayelitsha Police Station, the officers took the man to the hospital without arresting him, nor informing the investigating officer, nor collecting any evidence. Shockingly, the suspect has since returned to the community and is reportedly intimidating both the survivor and other residents; all while remaining free. This represents a profound miscarriage of justice and a betrayal of the survivor’s courage. This incident reflects a shocking disregard for due process and a broader failure by SAPS to take gender-based violence seriously. Despite the victim opening a case, providing a statement, and undergoing a medical examination, the police failed to act when given a clear opportunity to investigate and detain a suspect. No DNA was collected, no questioning took place, and no connection to the existing rape case was made. This is not just negligence; it is a collapse of basic policing duties. The UDM in Cape City of Cape Town demands an immediate, independent investigation by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate into the actions of the officers involved, as well as their suspension pending the outcome. We also call for the arrest and formal charging of the alleged perpetrator, protection for the victim and her family. The community of Khayelitsha deserves justice, not excuses. The UDM in Cape City of Cape Town stands in solidarity with the survivor and the people of Khayelitsha. We will continue to monitor this case and advocate for stronger accountability in how SAPS handles cases of rape and gender-based violence. We cannot allow incompetence and indifference to endanger our communities any longer.
Admin
10 Apr, 2025
City of Cape Town must urgently deliver on 12-year-old housing promise to Masonwabe Hostel families
Statement by Bongani Maqungwana, Councillor in the City of Cape Town The United Democratic Movement (UDM) in the City of Cape Town is deeply disappointed by the City’s failure to honour its promise to the families living at the Masonwabe Temporary Relocation Area in Gugulethu. It has been 12 long years since these families were moved from the old Masonwabe Hostel in 2013. At the time, they were told the relocation was only temporary while the City fixed the unsafe and crumbling hostel. But the hostel was demolished, the land stands empty while the City says there are no immediate plans to move these families into proper permanent housing. This is nothing short of abandonment, how can a temporary solution last for 12 years with no end in sight? These families are living in cold, unsafe structures, children are growing up in tin shacks surrounded by crime, mice and followed by neglect. Masonwabe now has over 130 structures, far more than the original 80 families who were moved in. Families have grown but their homes have not. Many are forced to extend their small units with scrap materials just to survive. It is unacceptable that the City of Cape Town has even failed to communicate clearly with the affected families, and no proper maintenance is being done on those dilapidated temporary structures despite people still living in them. The City refers to these homes as part of “incremental development,” yet offers no real plan or timeline for permanent housing. These families were promised back in 2013 that they would return to a redeveloped Masonwabe site. Today, that promise has been forgotten as the land lies empty while hundreds of people suffer in substandard conditions nearby. The UDM in the City of Cape Town, demands the City: • Immediately engages with the Masonwabe community to provide a clear update. • Commits to a fixed timeline for the development of permanent housing on the original site • Ensures the safety and maintenance of the current structures while people are still living there. Stop treating vulnerable communities like they don’t matter. Gugulethu people deserves dignity not, delays nor empty promises, promises must be delivered.
