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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.
Admin
17 Oct, 2013
Minister Nzimande’s failure to address problems at the Walter Sisulu University
Member’s Statement by Mr Nqabayomzi Kwankwa, MP and UDM Deputy Secretary General, in the National Assembly regarding Minister Nzimande’s failure to address problems at the Walter Sisulu University is jeopardising futures of Eastern Cape youth The United Democratic Movement (UDM) is very concerned about the manner in which Government and the Minister of Higher Education are handling the crises at Walter Sisulu University (WSU). If not for the intervention of civil society, under the leadership of the South African Council of Churches, the current crisis would have escalated beyond the point of no return. It is an indictment of Minister Nzimande that our President had to dispatch Minister Chabane to clean up his colleague’s backyard. However, after an agreement was reached to end the seven-week long strike, we hear that classes are disrupted yet again. The allegations are that Government is negotiating in bad faith and has reneged on its promises. The UDM is of the view that the Minister Nzimande has failed to attend to the WSU challenges, which include, but are not limited to: Not intervening in the labour dispute timeously; Not reporting on his Departments’ turn-around strategy for the university; Whether its budget allocation is adequate; Whether the salaries of academics and workers are competitive; Allegations are that local companies are overlooked for university business; Whether the merger of various institutions has delivered the desired results. The UDM calls on Government to urgently resolve the crises at WSU, because a day lost in a student’s learning, is a day too many.
Admin
17 Oct, 2013
Time is now for Tripartite Alliance to be disbanded
Time is now for Tripartite Alliance to be disbanded – statement by Mr Bongani Msomi (UDM Secretary General) on 18 September 2013 The UDM cannot but state the obvious, which is that the foundation of the Tripartite alliance is visibly shaking, and partners are feeling uncomfortable with this marriage of convenience. The common enemy, Apartheid, has been defeated, leading to a situation where the alliance is no longer relevant. The ANC’s appointment of their deputy president, Cyril Ramaphosa is a clear indication that the ANC is nonchalant about this alliance. Ramaphosa himself shows his true colours, through actions such as purchasing a buffalo for a staggering R12.5mil, when there was a problem at Lonmin. He is also the wrong man for this job as he does not care about the workers. The bottom line is that Cosatu is suffering at the hands of the ANC, the latter has weakened Cosatu by absorbing its leaders to government departments or institutions. This must stop. The UDM reiterates is call that the time is now for the tripartite alliance to be disbanded.
Admin
17 Oct, 2013
Health Department in ICU
Health Department in ICU – statement by Mr Bongani Msomi (UDM Secretary General) on 12 September 2013 The United Democratic Movement (UDM) notes the commissioning of a five-person task team to investigate issues in the Eastern Cape relating to the growing health crisis. It is evident that the Minister does not have his finger on the pulse of the nation’s health, and that this token is definitely too little too late. To add insult to injury, the setting up of a commission is an exceptionally costly exercise since Minister Motsoaledi is quite aware of the problems facing the Health Department. The UDM suggests that he should have used the department machinery and saved costs, instead of commissioning a task team. This indicates that the ANC led government is in power but not in control. It seems that the Health Department has been in the ICU for quite some time, and the measures put in place didn’t yield positive results. Even the ANC government’s grand turnaround strategy has failed. The UDM strongly advises the Minister to ensure that the mandate of the Task Team is broad, and to include an investigation into the identification of officials who looted state resources, to recommend how state coffers can be recovered from these disgraceful officials, and a recommendation as to ways and means of sterilizing the department from corruption officials.
Admin
17 Oct, 2013
UDM marches for Marikana Justice
UDM marches for Marikana Justice – statement by Mr Bongani Msomi (UDM Secretary General) on 11 September 2013 The United Democratic Movement (UDM) reiterates its call for government to pay for all legal representation of the Marikana victims at the Farlam Commission. In doing so government will be serving Lady Justice by levelling the playing field and ensuring that the scene is set for justice to be effected. It is a pity that the ANC led government only listens when people take to the street. The UDM, together with the families of the Marikana victims, and other interested parties will be marching in solidarity to the Union Buildings on 12 September 2013 from 10:00am. The march will commence at Burgers Park in Pretoria central. The aim of this march is to give a voice to this crucial aspect of the legal proceedings. Other interested individuals especially those who want to see justice done are welcomed to participate. We demand the ANC led government to come to its senses and act in good faith.
Admin
17 Oct, 2013
Public Protector report on IEC lease agreement scandal to be considered Parliamentary Ad-hoc Committee
Open memo to the Speaker and Whip’s Forum re: Public Protector report on IEC lease agreement scandal to be considered Parliamentary Ad-hoc Committee from Bantu Holomisa, MP (UDM President) on 11 September 2013 The United Democratic Movement (UDM) demands a review of a decision to establish an Ad-hoc Committee to consider the report of the Public Protector, Advocate Thuli Madonsela, on the investigation into allegations of maladministration and corruption in the procurement of premises to accommodate the head office of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC). The proposal of the Majority Whip limits the participation of other political parties, yet we are all stakeholders of the IEC. There is no logic in the way in which the Ad-hoc Committee was constituted – instead the Portfolio Committee for Home Affairs should consider this matter. According to this draft, the ANC has 7 representatives, the DA 2, Cope 1, IFP 1 and remaining 8 parties is to be represented by 1 person. This smacks of manipulation to ensure a premeditated outcome. The principle of proportional representation has been completely violated, for instance how is it possible that the IFP and Cope to be allocated 1 representative each, yet Cope has more seats than the IFP in Parliament. The same applies to the parties who have 4 seats each in Parliament (UDM, ID, ACDP and FF+) and the rest with 1 seat each (namely the APC, MF, PAC and Azapo,) – they are told that they must have 1 person to represent all these stakeholders. It should be noted that each of these parties do not necessarily argue from the same point of view and their colleague in another party cannot hope to represent them fairly and accurately. In terms of the Electoral Act, the Electoral Court would have to, in one way or another, to play a role in this matter. We are therefore wondering whether it is not premature for the so-called Ad-Hoc Committee to even start deliberating the matter, instead of Parliament referring it to the Electoral Court. Parliament can then discuss the Court’s decision. Sincerely Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP UDM President
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