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18 Oct, 2013
Condolences to the Sigcau Family and the Pondo Nation with the passing of King Thandizulu Sigcau
Letter of condolences to the Sigcau Family and the Pondo Nation with the passing of King Thandizulu Sigcau from Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP (UDM President) (27 March 2013) It is with sadness that we have learnt of the passing of His Majesty, King Thandizulu Sigcau. But given his struggle with his health in the past few years, he will at least now be free of pain and discomfort. I had the privilege of working with His Majesty during our time in the former Transkei. Then, and after that period, King Sigcau was a keen campaigner for the development of his people and his kingdom. He worked hard to protect the dignity of traditional leadership in the Eastern Cape and the heritage of the AmaMpondo. We know that his passing came at a time where the AmaMpondo is grappling with difficult issues and he will be missed in finding solutions that the benefit the entire Pondo Nation. To his wife, children and grandchild, we think of you in this time of sorrow and will keep you in our hearts and minds. Bon voyage Faku. Bantu Holomisa, MP President of the United Democratic Movement (UDM)
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18 Oct, 2013
Which South African ‘assets’ needs protection in the Central African Republic
Open letter to Chairpersons of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committees on Defence and Military Veterans of Intelligence of International Relations and Cooperation about “Which South African ‘assets’ needs protection in the Central African Republic” from Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP (UDM President) (26 March 2013) Given the seriousness of the tragic death of our soldiers in the Central African Republic, (CAR) and that this is a matter of public interest, I would suggest that the Parliamentary Portfolio Committees of Defence and International Relations and Cooperation have a urgent joint session to get to the bottom of why the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) was deployed in the CAR. There has been conflicting reports from the Presidency, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation and the Department of Defence and Military Veterans on the reasons for South Africa to have a military presence in the CAR. We first heard that there had been an agreement between our two countries entered into in 2007 for Operations Morero and Vimbesela. The former, we were told, was for a unit of the SANDF Special Forces to be deployed in the CAR to provide VIP protection to President Bozizé. Operation Vimbesela involved the refurbishment of the military bases and the training of military personnel of that country. After this weekend’s tragedy, the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, denied that our troops were in the CAR to protect President Bozizé. She did however admit that they were there to “protect South African assets”. If nothing else is clear, it is that our Government is speaking from different mouths and no-one really knows what is going on. Or, between the Presidency and the relevant ministers no one is telling us what the real reasons are. The only way to find out the truth is for the Portfolio Committees of International Relations and Defence to urgently have a joint sitting and demand that the Presidency and the relevant ministers come to sort out the confusion. In preparing for this meeting, these Departments must give: a) Background on the reasons for entering into a cooperation agreement with the CAR in 2007. b) Reasons for the five-year extension of the agreement in December 2012. c) Details on which assets the SANDF were to protect. d) Any documents conferring mineral rights to South Africa. e) Information on whether South Africa still owns those mineral rights and if not, to whom they were sold and for how much. f) Information on to whom the proceeds of these transactions were paid i.e. Treasury, individuals and/or political parties. The Department of Defence should also give information regarding the state of readiness of our troops deployed in the CAR. Reports suggest that intelligence showed early this year that the rebels were ready to advance on the capital, Bangui, but the tragedy that played out over the weekend suggests that the SANDF was unprepared for this scenario. The Nation was told, in January, that 400 troops were to be sent to the CAR to protect the SANDF instructors; the question is why was half of that held back? It is incumbent upon Parliament, and the relevant Portfolio Committees, to play its oversight role and expose the truth. This matter is urgent; we cannot accept the current explanations of what is going on. South Africans are in the dark about what circumstances led to the deployment of our service men and women in the CAR. Yours sincerely Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP President of the United Democratic Movement
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18 Oct, 2013
The questionable conduct of the intelligence services: IEC lease agreements
Open letter to Siyabonga Cwele, Minister of Intelligence about the questionable conduct of the intelligence services: IEC lease agreements from Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP (UDM President) (8 March 2013) The above mentioned matter has reference. On the 3rd of October 2011, I wrote a letter to the office of the Public Protector requesting it to investigate suspected irregularities in the lease agreements of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC). Afterwards I had a few meetings with the Public Protector, Advocate Thuli Madonsela to discuss progress. She sensitised us about her workload, but undertook to expedite the process. While still awaiting feedback from the Public Protector’s office, on the 27th of November 2012, I received an unclassified letter from Ms N.G. Bam, the Acting Director of the Domestic Branch of the State Security Agency of South Africa stating that: “Pursuant to media reports regarding alleged irregularities at the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), the state Security Agency (SSA) hereby requests a meeting with you to further discuss the matter at your earliest convenience. The State Security Agency views media reports surrounding the IEC in a serious light hence we request to engage with you.” I did not respond to Ms Bam’s letter due to reasons outlined below. Yesterday two officials from your Department, Mr Sello Motaung and Mr Mphuthumi Jekem, visited my office in Pretoria and asked for feedback on Ms Bam’s letter. Unfortunately, I was busy with Parliamentary work at the time of their visit. This morning I phoned Mr Jekem to follow-up on their visit. He told me that they had discussions with IEC Chairperson, Advocate Pansy Tlakula about my complaint to the Public Protector and are now interested to hear my side of the story. I refused to discuss the matter with him because it is still under investigation. There is something about this meeting request that does not sit well with me. Firstly, on what basis does your Department want conduct a parallel investigation? Secondly, if you “view matters surrounding the IEC on a serious light”, why do you not approach the institution that is busy investigating the matter for information? I am wondering whether this is not a precursor of how Government is going to operate once the Information Bill becomes law. I therefore call on your office to investigate this questionable conduct. Yours sincerely, Bantu Holomisa, MP UDM President
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18 Oct, 2013
Follow-up letter on suspected irregularities: IEC lease agreements
Open letter to the Public Protector, Adv T Madonsela, from Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP (UDM President), regarding: Follow-up letter on suspected irregularities: IEC lease agreements (21 February 2012) Dear Advocate Madonsela The abovementioned matter has reference. On the 3rd of October 2011, I wrote a letter requesting the office of the Public Protector to investigate suspected irregularities in the lease agreements of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC). I again wrote on 14 March 2012, almost a year ago, to make follow on the request. Some time thereafter we met at your offices in Pretoria, on 9 July 2012, to discuss progress. You sensitised us about your workload, but had undertaken to expedite the process. On 8 October 2012 you wrote to explain that your investigation team had been in the process of verifying information and investigating matters with other relevant role-players. The report was not ready. The delays in finalising this investigation raises concern; as it stands the matter has been with the Public Protector’s office for more than a year. Would you please give an indication of when you expect to finalise this investigation and publish your report. Yours sincerely Banmtu Holomisa, MP President of the United Democratic Movement
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18 Oct, 2013
Lonmin Mine’s September 2012 salary increase agreement
Open letter to Mr Simon Scott, CEO of Lonmin Mine about Lonmin Mine’s September 2012 salary increase agreement from Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP (UDM President) (4 February 2013) The abovementioned matter has reference. In September last year the Management of Lonmin’s Marikana mine reportedly promises a pay rise offer of 22% to its mineworkers, ending six weeks of violent labour unrest that had devastating effects on the South African economy. However, nearly four months since this agreement was reached, I am inundated with calls from the mineworkers complaining about the fact the 22% salary increase is yet to reflect on their payslips. Mineworkers claim that they are still paid in accordance with the old salary agreement. It is common knowledge that respecting contractual agreements brings about trust and mutual respect in the workplace. However, the fact that the mineworkers already feel that the Management of Lonmin Mine does not respect their agreement increases the danger that the mineworkers could go on another wildcat strike, which would be more difficult to resolve because trust between the two parties would have broken down irrevocably. The United Democratic Movement (UDM) therefore calls on the Management of Lonmin Mine to look into and address the concerns of the mineworkers at its Marikana mine. Regards, Bantu Holomisa, MP UDM President
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18 Oct, 2013
Calling on the SACC to intervene in the looming mining sector crisis
Open letter to Reverend Mautjie Pataki Secretary of the South African Council of churches (SACC) calling on the SACC to intervene in the looming mining sector crisis from Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP (UDM President) (17 January 2013) I write this letter to ask for the South African Council of Churches’s (SACC’s) intervention in Anglo American’s plan to restructure its platinum mines, which will result in the retrenchment of thousands of mineworkers. I have over the past few days said that this will have devastating consequences for our people and the South African economy at large. There is widespread belief that these retrenchments are nothing other than a calculated strategy to get rid of the mineworkers who were involved in the wildcat strikes in the mining sector last year. There is also belief that this is an attempt to purge all the workers who have left the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) for rival unions. Apparently, this is to reward NUM for its docility and pliant conduct by protecting its status as the biggest union in the mining sector. The South African Council of Churches played a leading role in the resolution of the industrial dispute in the mining sector last year. We are therefore calling on the SACC to again intervene in the looming retrenchments in the platinum sector We further call on you to request a meeting with President Zuma to ask him to put an end to the crisis in the mining sector, as the threats of mineworker retrenchments were brought to the attention of Government as early as last year. The SACC should request the South African Chamber of Mines to share with the public the extent of the losses the mines incurred during the wildcat strikes. A committee of experts should then be tasked to scrutinise and verify the figures for the public in order to dispel any suspicion of hidden agendas. In the event that the mines incurred losses during the period in question, we should propose that Government gives bailout packages to the sector. However, the sector should be expected to pay back these packages as soon as its financial position improves. Kind Regards, Bantu Holomisa, MP UDM President
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17 Oct, 2013
Dirco DG Matjila on special leave; multi-faceted forensic audit required
Dirco DG Matjila on special leave; multi-faceted forensic audit required statement Mr Bantu Holomisa (UDM President) (20 September 2013) We welcome the news that the Director General (DG) of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), Mr Jerry Matjila, has been placed on special leave following the United Democratic Movement’s (UDM) exposure of alleged irregular expenditure to the tune of half a billion rand of the African Renaissance and International Co-Operation Fund (ARF). Apparently the DIRCO DG, who is the accounting officer for the ARF, acted with the blessing of the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, as well that of President Zuma. The only way to get to the bottom of this mess is for a forensic audit to be instituted; it cannot merely be a departmental investigation which, we hear, has been mooted by the Minister. The UDM believes that an audit team consisting of National Treasury, the Auditor General, the Hawks, the National Intelligence Agency and Interpol must be constituted to do justice to any investigation of the alleged irregular expenditure. The Public Service Commission, whose task it is to investigate, monitor, and evaluate the organisation and administration of the Public Service, should also be involved in determining the DG’s fate.
Admin
17 Oct, 2013
UDM calls for McCord rescue
UDM calls for McCord rescue – statement by Mr Bongani Msomi (UDM Secretary General) on 19 September 2013 The news that a prominent hospital in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) will be closing its doors soon is very saddening news. The McCord Hospital has an excellent track of sterling service, and has a pivot role to play in the fight against the HIV/AID epidemic and related diseases, due to its strategic location. KZN can ill afford to lose such a credited health facility, which is still so relevant to the health of our nation. The closure will also result in workers losing their jobs, with many of them having special skills and expertise, thus making it even more challenging for them to find employment, and on the flip side of that coin, making the loss of their services an incredible blow to the communities they serve. It will be worse to those who are just general workers. They are all breadwinners. The UDM makes a clarion call to the board of McCord Hospital and the KZN government to make an eleventh hour rescue in service of the people.
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