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
03 May, 2025
UDEMWO welcomes justice in the Joshlin Smith case
Media Statement by Thandi Nontenja, MP and UDEMWO Secretary General The United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation (UDEMWO) welcomes the Western Cape High Court’s conviction of Raquel “Kelly” Smith and her co-accused for the kidnapping and trafficking of six-year-old Joshlin Smith. This judgment is a long-awaited step towards justice for Joshlin and the many South Africans who were shocked and horrified by her disappearance. The verdict confirms what so many in the community feared and suspected: that the very people who were meant to protect Joshlin were in fact the ones who betrayed her in the most vile and inhumane way. There is a saying that it takes a village to raise a child. This case is a heartbreaking reminder that in this village, a child was not safe. It raises serious questions about the safety and well-being of children in vulnerable communities where social neglect; substance abuse and poverty too often go hand in hand. We commend Judge Nathan Erasmus for his clear and firm judgment, and we salute the community members of Saldanha Bay who searched for Joshlin and have continued to demand justice. We also acknowledge the work of law enforcement in bringing this case to trial and securing a conviction. UDEMWO calls on the Department of Social Development and all relevant government structures under the current Government of National Unity to urgently strengthen community-based child protection systems. Children should never fall through the cracks of a society that claims to care. UDEMWO continues to demand justice not just in courtrooms, but in homes, communities and institutions across the country. Let the memory of Joshlin Smith compel us all to protect the most vulnerable among us. Lastly, while UDEMWO welcomes the guilty verdict, we are deeply disturbed that the whereabouts of Joshlin Smith remain unknown. Justice cannot end with a conviction alone. The guilty must be compelled to tell the truth about what happened to Joshlin. They must reveal where she is and bring her back. The courts have spoken, but the most important question remains unanswered. We demand full accountability, not only for the crime, but for the pain and unanswered questions that continue to haunt her family and community.
Admin
03 May, 2025
UDM questions ACDP's silence on MPAC Chairperson's failures in Mtubatuba
Statement by Remington Mazibuko, Councillor in the Inkosi Mtubatuba Local Municipality and UDM KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Chairperson The United Democratic Movement (UDM) in Inkosi Mtubatuba Local Municipality calls on the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) in KwaZulu-Natal to urgently account for the failures of its member, Cllr Nonhlanhla Ncube, who currently chairs the Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC). The MPAC, under Cllr Ncube’s leadership, has failed to exercise its critical oversight role, as confirmed by Council reports highlighting ongoing irregular expenditure and financial mismanagement in the Municipality. Despite these serious failings, Cllr Ncube has faced no consequences and attempts by the UDM to table a Motion of No Confidence in her leadership have been deliberately blocked. It is deeply disappointing that the ACDP, a party that claims to champion accountability and ethical leadership, has thus far remained silent on this matter. Their inaction raises serious questions about their commitment to clean governance. We ask: Will the ACDP continue to shield Cllr Ncube, or will it stand with the people of Mtubatuba who are suffering the consequences of failed oversight and collapsing service delivery? We therefore call on the ACDP to take the public into its confidence and clarify whether it supports accountability in local government, or whether it is content to ignore the dereliction of duty by one of its own. The residents of Mtubatuba deserve answers, not silence.
Admin
03 May, 2025
UDM condemns medical negligence towards JMPD officer and calls for systemic accountability
Statement by Yongama Zigebe, Councillor in the City of Johannesburg for the United Democratic Movement and Chairperson of the S79 Committee on Gender, Youth and People with Disabilities The United Democratic Movement (UDM) in the City of Johannesburg is appalled and disturbed by the inhumane and unethical treatment of a Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) officer who was reportedly denied emergency medical care after being shot in the line of duty. We have noted with grave concern that Milpark Hospital allegedly refused to treat the officer - who had sustained two gunshot wounds to the upper body - citing an alleged municipal debt of R35 million. The City has since clarified that the actual outstanding amount is R3.9 million, with ongoing weekly payments being made. This discrepancy between fact and conduct highlights a systemic failure in both communication and healthcare ethics. This is not merely an administrative dispute. It is a gross violation of the constitutional right to life and access to emergency healthcare. That a frontline officer - injured while protecting residents of Johannesburg - could be subjected to such neglect is unacceptable and reprehensible. As the UDM, we firmly support the City's intention to lodge a formal complaint with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). We further urge that this incident be treated not only as an ethical breach, but also as a test case for accountability in the private healthcare sector. No financial ledger should take precedence over a human life - especially the life of one who serves and protects the public. We also call on the Speaker of Council and relevant authorities to ensure that councillors refrain from issuing statements that are not grounded in verified facts. In moments of crisis, our collective responsibility is to provide clarity, not contribute to chaos. The UDM acknowledges the ongoing investigation by Group Forensic and Investigation Services (GFIS) and encourages full transparency in determining any possible administrative failings within the municipality. To the injured officer and their family, we extend our heartfelt prayers and unwavering support. Your service and sacrifice are valued. We trust that justice—both medical and moral—will be pursued with the urgency this matter demands. The UDM remains committed to upholding ethical governance, compassionate leadership, and unwavering respect for those who serve on the frontlines.
Admin
02 May, 2025
Ongoing salary crisis in North West municipalities
Statement by Namhla Notshaya, Provincial Secretary of the UDM in North West The United Democratic Movement (UDM) in North West expresses its deep concern regarding the ongoing salary crisis affecting municipal workers across municipalities in the province. Recent reports indicate that many workers have faced significant delays in receiving their salaries. It has come to our attention that municipalities such as Ditsobotla, Mamusa, Maquassi Hills, and Lekwa-Teemane have consistently failed to meet their salary obligations, with some workers experiencing delays of more than two months. We stand in solidarity with the affected workers who have borne the consequences of these failures. While we recognise the importance of paying service providers, it is unacceptable to expect municipal workers to continue providing their labour without compensation. It is particularly troubling to hear accounts of workers being forced to borrow from loan sharks, leading them into a vicious cycle of debt. This crisis is a clear indication of poor financial management and governance at the municipal level, which must be addressed urgently. We urge the North West provincial government and municipal leadership to rectify this situation. Responsible governance should prioritise the welfare of municipal workers and ensure that their salaries are paid on time. The UDM in North West calls upon the provincial government to intervene in this crisis, ensuring that municipal workers receive their due salaries without further delay. The dignity and rights of workers must be upheld.
Admin
02 May, 2025
UDM Eastern Cape calls for accountability, equity, and safety in response to Eastern Cape developments
Statement by Bulelani Bobotyane, Provincial Secretary of the UDM in the Eastern Cape The United Democratic Movement (UDM) in the Eastern Cape is deeply concerned by recent developments across the province, particularly in the education, economic, and energy sectors. While we welcome progressive initiatives that promise growth and transformation, we will not be silent when the vulnerable are forgotten or exploited. 1. The #JusticeForCwecwe campaign has laid bare the failure of our education system to protect our children. The UDM in the Eastern Cape demands that the provincial government not only close non-compliant schools but urgently implement structural safeguards, including a Provincial School Safety Oversight Task Team and school-based trauma units. Child safety is not negotiable. 2. We note the Premier Oscar Mabuyane’s international investment drive to boost the oceans economy. Mabuyane announced that the province would soon visit countries such as Italy and Greece, with the intention to attract investors who could partner with the province “to unlock jobs in our oceans economy”. Mabuyane stated that the oceans economy represents a new growth frontier that, when combined with meaningful transformation, can unlock new economic value chains and opportunities for the people of the Eastern Cape. He also announced that the national government has started the process of officially gazetting small harbours in Hamburg, within the Ngqushwa Municipality, and in Mbizana. While the potential is undeniable, the UDM insists on transparency in all agreements, enforceable 30% local ownership, and the publication of all memoranda of understanding (MOUs). Our coastal communities must not be spectators in an economy built on their heritage. 3. Regarding the R105 billion Hive Green Ammonia Project at Coega (the project by Hive Energy UK at the Coega Special Economic Zone (SEZ) outside Gqeberha is the biggest investment of its kind in the world), the UDM in the Eastern Cape welcomes the shift toward sustainable energy. However, we demand full disclosure of the project’s local employment commitments, environmental compliance, and community development plans. The green economy must not become another exclusionary space. As the voice of reason and accountability, the UDM in the Eastern Cape will continue to fight for an inclusive Eastern Cape - one that places people before profits, safety before slogans, and transparency above all.
Admin
30 Apr, 2025
Workers’ Day 2025: respect labour by delivering services
Statement by Nqabayomzi Kwankwa, MP, UDM Deputy President and Leader in Parliament On this Workers’ Day, 1 May 2025, the United Democratic Movement (UDM) pays tribute to all South Africans whose labour builds and sustains our country; from farmworkers and factory hands to nurses, teachers, cleaners, drivers, and every hand that turns the wheels of our economy. While this day is traditionally associated with fair wages and workplace rights, we believe it is time to also speak plainly about another injustice: the disrespect of workers through poor service delivery. Working people pay their taxes. They make financial sacrifices. Yet far too many are forced to queue at broken clinics, drink unsafe water, live with load shedding, and send their children to overcrowded schools. When a government fails to deliver the basic services that citizens pay for, it insults the dignity of their labour. This is especially true at the local government level, where service delivery is closest to the people. Too many municipalities are riddled with financial mismanagement, cadre deployment, and basic incompetence. Potholes, uncollected waste, sewage spills and dry taps have become the norm for millions of workers, even as they continue to contribute to the local economy. Municipalities must stop being a source of frustration and start being centres of excellence and delivery. We must expand the meaning of workers’ rights to include the right to functioning public services, because decent work does not end at the payslip, it continues into a life lived with dignity, health, safety and opportunity. The UDM calls on government at all levels to honour workers not just with words, but with action: by fixing what is broken, uprooting corruption, and making every cent of public money count. Let us build a South Africa where workers are not just celebrated once a year, but respected every day through competent, clean governance. Happy Workers’ Day.
Admin
29 Apr, 2025
UDM Nelson Mandela Bay condemns the brazen theft of municipal property in Deal Party
Statement by Luxolo Namette, UDM councillor in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality and Deputy Chairperson of the UDM in the Eastern Cape The United Democratic Movement (UDM) Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality condemns the shocking robbery that took place at a municipal depot in Deal Party, where armed criminals stole a truckload of tyres intended for public service vehicles. This audacious act of criminality, which occurred on Sunday night, is a clear sign of the growing lawlessness and the alarming deterioration of security measures at municipal facilities. It is unacceptable that public assets, which are meant to serve our communities, can be so easily stolen while the authorities fail to ensure their protection. The UDM wishes to commend the security guards who, despite being held at gunpoint, managed to promptly report the incident. However, this robbery raises serious questions about the effectiveness of the security arrangements at the depot. The municipality must explain what preventative measures were in place to protect these valuable assets, how armed criminals were able to access the premises so easily, and what immediate steps are being taken to recover the stolen goods and apprehend the perpetrators. We further demand that a full audit of municipal assets across all storage facilities be conducted to determine whether there have been other unreported incidents of theft. The public has a right to know the full extent of the losses and what actions are being taken to prevent any further incidents. The UDM calls on the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality to urgently review and strengthen its security protocols across all its facilities. Stronger safeguards must be implemented without delay to protect public property. We also call on the police to prioritise this investigation and bring the culprits to justice swiftly. The theft of public resources cannot become the norm. Municipal leaders must act decisively to restore public confidence and to ensure that the facilities and resources meant for the service of the people are not turned into easy targets for criminal elements.
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