Admin
25 Mar, 2019
Condolences with the passing away of Princess Buthelezi
The United Democratic Movement passes its condolences to Prince Buthelezi, and his family, on the passing of his wife. It certainly is a day where we are sorrowful for a person taken from our midst. We are grateful for her contribution to the struggle and remaining the anchor of her family while Prince Buthelezi was part of the process to overthrow the apartheid regime. May her soul rest in peace. Issued by: Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP UDM President
Admin
31 Mar, 2019
Various community concerns: Eastern Cape and Kwazulu-Natal
Mr CM Ramaphosa President of the Republic of South Africa Union Buildings Private Bag X1000 Pretoria 0001 Mr PG Masualle Premier of the Eastern Cape Private Bag X0047 Bisho 5605 Mr TW Mchunu Premiere of KwaZulu-Natal Private Bag X9037 Pietermaritzburg, 3200 Dear Sirs Various community concerns: Eastern Cape and Kwazulu-Natal From the beginning of March 2019, I had the privilege to visit various communities in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. From my interaction with them, it is clear that there is a desperate cry for attention and service delivery. Hereunder are the concerns and requests raised by the various communities 1. KwaZulu-Natal, Zululand District Municipality 1.1. Ukhukho village in Ulundi under Nkosi Zungu, The following requests and concerns were raised: • Discrimination on employment and youth unemployment. • RDP housing is needed. • Lack of water supply. • The coal mine in the area should give bursaries for the community’s children. • A lot of water is consumed by the coal mine, which deprives the surrounding communities. • A new crèche is needed after Ozweleni one was destroyed in a storm. • They are requesting for an ITC centre to help the community in their basic needs, this facility could also be used as a call-centre to communicate with government and the mining houses. The same centre could be used to run workshops and develop skills for the community e.g. agricultural training. 1.2. Msinga Municipality under Nkosi Mthembu, he following requests and concerns were raised • Lack of water. • No jobs. • Ngubo Dam in the Thugela River is close to this community and they request engines to pump water to their areas, as well as that they be supplied with tractors. • Fencing for mealie and grazing fields is needed. • Educated children are being exploited by being continuously called upon to do government work as volunteers without getting permanent employment with little or no stipends at all. 1.3. Msinga at Gordons Stars Village, the following requests and concerns were raised • The main complaint is access to water. • No roads. • Unemployment. • Local people are not employed at Pomeroy hospital. • Qualified teachers cannot find employment. 2. Eastern Cape 2.1. Dangwane A/A, Mount Frerre, the following requests and concerns were raised • Water and access roads • High stock theft and owners do not get police protection after they have located their stolen animals. • Drugs peddlers must be arrested, • The ANC discriminates against communities who do not belong to the party when RDP houses are issued. • High crime rates. • Speed humps are needed on the N2 which passes through their area. • Electricity is needed in some newly built villages. • Unfair discrimination when jib is allocated. • No medication and service at the local clinic. • Criminals use underaged children to commit crime, then these children are released by police without charging them. • Clinic at Empindweni not in use, it is standing there as a white elephant. • The community of KwaBhaca, in general, is complaining about stock theft. They claim that these stock thieves are known but there are not caught and prosecuted. They kindly request police to assist them, although they allege that some police are part of the problem. • Demarcation board does not consult communities. 2.2. Ward 24, Mount Frere, a. All the villages of Ward 24 request a shopping mall as they are far away from town. b. Sivumela A/A The following requests and concerns were raised: • Access roads • Water • Unemployment is too high; young people do not have work. • Bursaries for children. • Need for recreational and sport grounds • Nepotism is the order of the day when people are employed when projects are introduced in their areas. • Seeds for mealies and vegetables. • Assistance for the destitute children. • RDP houses. c. Magontsini A/A The following requests and concerns were raised: • Electrification • Roads are impassable • RDP houses • Toilets d. Mnyamana A/A The following requests and concerns were raised: • Electrification in the area • RDP houses with water tanks • Crèche • Agricultural projects e. Luyengweni A/A. The following requests and concerns were raised: • Roads • Water tanks • Agricultural seeds f. Chwebeni A/A area The following requests and concerns were raised: • Water tanks • RDP houses • Doing away with nepotism when people are employed in a projects. g. Ezigadini A/A area The following requests and concerns were raised: • MTN reception pole. • Water. • A pre-school. • Sport grounds. • Roads. 2.3. Bizana Local Municipality, Eastern Cape a. Nkantolo A/A . The following requests and concerns were raised: • Demarcation board is deviding communities. • They were promised 2000 houses many years ago, but only 500 were built. What happened to the money which was earmarked for this project? • Mr Gugile Nkwinti, whilst MEC, gave them two tractors and these tractors have not been functioning for years yet we are told that there was a R3m allocated budget for these tractors to function. • They claim that the home of OR Tambo do not deserve the so called R25m spent in building it. They request that there be an investigation as they suspect corruption. • The multipurpose centre has been dogged by controversy where millions of rand are reported to have been stolen. As a result, contractors are being changed on a daily basis. • At OR Tambo Tech High there are no practicals for students because there are no provision for a workshop with required tools. • The road T112 from Magelaan to Ludeke must be fixed • At St Patricks Hospital there are no doctors • The roads to Green Ville hospital are impassable • They need proper writing pads for their children • They ask for the driving schoo,l which was removed from their area, to be returned. • The municipality is undermining the chief and headmen in their area • They want old age pension fund for elders to be raised to R5000 and R3000 for child grant per month. • At Ludeke Dam the community claims that there were not compensated properly when that dam was built. b. Dindini A/A The following requests and concerns were raised: • The people who are suspected of having killed a local chief have been detained without trial. The case has been postponed on several occasion. The community is requesting for the finalisation of the case. • Roads • Toilets • RDP houses • Niko Village, foreigners are being accused of taking local jobs • Mrs Gladys Mampofana complained that her house was destroyed by tornado and she has not been responded to get assistance from the state to build a new home. • Demarcation are creating confusion • Sport grounds • Old water pipes • Employment, graduated children are not getting jobs • Business tender system is full if bribery and corruption • Stock theft, they request special crime unit to assist them • Access roads • The companies that employed people are not paying UIF and provident funds to their ex-employees, especially the ex-mine workers. • They request micro chips animals, to for tracking purposes. • They produce a lot of mealies in their area, they are asking for assistance for marketing to sell their mealies. • The area of Mbizana is full of agricultural potential and they want assistance from the state. • They request school buses as their kids are travelling long distances. • They need clinics. • They request that retirement must be lowered to 55 so that they can have access to the state grant. • They are complaining that they do not see their future in terms of getting employment for disabled people • They say this RDP houses were intended for the poor people, but they notice that the mayor and some selected communities got two houses. • They request that Decree 11 of the then Transkei Military Government be effected. This decree was used to encourage other people to voluntary retire from government service in 1993, however some of the people who took early retirement were never paid their monies. The list included teachers, nurses, soldiers etc. There are asking government to pay the money due to them. c. Sea view –KwaMadiba A/A The following requests and concerns were raised: • Drugs are killing their children • No services • R111m at wards 23 was approved for RDP housing project but nothing has been done. • Access road are in bad conditions • The toilets need maintenance as some of them are full already • They request street light in order to combat crime • They complain about police brutality especially when people are protesting such as recent women march. • Mzamba police man are not listening to their needs • They need medication and proper services at Madiba clinic. • They need ambulance in the area from Mobeni to Sea View there’s no clinic in between. Yours sincerely Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP UDM President
Admin
21 Mar, 2019
UDM lodges complaint with IEC re alleged ANC attack on members campaigning in Mbizana
Mr VG Mashinini Chairperson of the Electoral Commission P/Bag X112 Centurion 0046 Dear Sir LODGING OF COMPLAINT: ALLEGED ATTACK ON UDM MEMBERS BY PERSONS DRESSED IN ANC REGALIA Earlier this week, United Democratic Movement (UDM) members were campaigning in Ward 7, Khaleni Administrative Area, in the Mbizana Local Municipality (Eastern Cape). Four of our members were allegedly assaulted by persons wearing African National Congress regalia. One of our members was admitted to hospital with injuries sustained in the attack. One of the alleged assailants is known to our members and a case has been opened with the police. We understand that two suspects have been arrested for common assault in the meantime. It is ironic that political parties have just yesterday signed the Independent Electoral Commission’s (IEC) Code of Conduct, and the Code has, allegedly, already been infringed upon by the aforementioned party. The UDM condemns political intolerance and violence in the strongest terms and we call on the IEC to play its role in taking action in terms of its powers to enforce the Code of Conduct. We will not accept another scenario where we, as in the past, lodged complaints with the IEC and, in our opinion, nothing was done. We look forward to your response. Yours sincerely Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP UDM President Mr Sy Mamabolo, IEC Chief Electoral Officer
Admin
07 Mar, 2019
UDM welcomes ATM’s youth Deputy President and his followers to the UDM in Johannesburg
• Our newly arrived young lions • Ladies and gentlemen 1. Welcome Today the United Democratic Movement (UDM) proudly accepts a group of young lions into the fold. Welcome! You will have to hit the ground running as elections are around the corner. As new members of the UDM you will be part of the drive to rid our country of one-party dominance. We have all witnessed how one-party dominance has brought South Africa to its knees. Corruption has permeated into all sectors of society. Recent revelations have verified that government monies have been channelled to the ruling party via front companies. In essence, the taxpayer has footed the bill for the ruling party to, amongst others, ferry people to its rallies. Bosasa CEO, Gavin Watson, does not fear arrest, because to arrest Watson is to arrest the ANC. Government institutions are led by ruling party deployees that are mandated to channel money to Luthuli House. We can abide by the fact that Nomvula Mokonyane and her ilk will never face the consequences of their actions, precisely because they are deployees of ruling party. 2. What does the UDM’s manifesto say about our youth It is a given that this country rests on the shoulders of young South Africans, yet they are side-lined from economic and other opportunities. But, there are other possibilities for the youth to be their own wealth creators. The UDM therefore subscribes to the belief that our youth should not only rely on the private sector or government to create job opportunities. This is why the UDM would implement the following policies once it is in government: • Identifying markets for small firms through promoting domestic and foreign connections to adequately address both the supply and demand side of the economy. • Developing capacity in the areas of improved business and entrepreneurial skills. • Identifying loan and capital sources, as well as facilitating loans and investments in community businesses. • Investing in sector-based planning and implementation, including the creation of sector-specific banks to provide financial assistance to young South Africans. Also, under a UDM government, funding will be made available for political parties represented in parliament to have leadership training programmes to teach our youth, amongst others, about their country, current affairs, the constitution, patriotism, human rights, the political landscape, a culture of ownership, as well as respect. 3. Your task as UDM members • When we leave here today, go to your communities and preach the gospel of the UDM. • Make people understand that we, as citizens, must save South Africa from the slippery slope of corruption. • Go from door-to-door and speak to our people of the new direction the UDM envisages for our country. • Explain to them that the UDM’s political philosophy is based on integrity, dignity and prosperity. Integrity amongst our ranks. Dignity for our people and, Prosperity for all South Africans. I thank you
Admin
04 Mar, 2019
UDEMWO: Women are not punch bags
Women abuse has become our daily bread, we are sick and tired of waking up to outrageous stories that revolves around women abuse. We are absolutely shocked and disturbed by a video of kwaito star Mampintsha that is making the rounds on social media showing that he is seemingly beating his girlfriend Bongekile Simelane, better known as ‘Babes Wodumo’. The United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation (UDEMWO) believes that all men, especially those in the limelight, who abuse women, influence boys and creates a mind-set that it is normal or acceptable behaviour. What has this generation turned into? We weep for South African women who experience domestic violence with no significant action taken to punish perpetrators. Because of this, women abusers have this mentality that when they mistreat women, they will not face severe consequences. For how long are we going to have men abusing women and get away with it. Women are abused by men who are supposed to love and protect them at all cost; they are not punch bags and sex objects. Domestic violence cannot be treated as insignificant and inconsequential crime. UDEMWO is of the view that legislation should deal with abusers in stricter punitive terms. We call upon the powers that be to develop harsher means to deal with abusers. As long as our justice system is lenient on perpetrators, we are far from conquering women abuse. Ms Thandi Nontenja UDEMWO Secretary General
Admin
03 Mar, 2019
UDM welcomes President Ramaphosa’s green initiative
The United Democratic Movement (UDM) noted President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement that government will start a massive clean-up campaign to get rid of the litter and waste that lay by our road-sides and fouls our communities. We welcome this move, as it is in line with the UDM’s environmental policy and this year’s election manifesto. Every city, town, suburb, township, informal settlement and rural areas are filthy and is in desperate need of intervention. Many places have over the years turned into slums, because of the non-existing waste management. We are happy that he joins the coalition government in the City of Johannesburg, under the leadership of Executive Mayor Herman Mashaba, in the clean-up programme that it has started on a city-wide scale. It is good that Citizen Number One has committed himself to lead this campaign. Government must play its role to ensure that there are adequate dumping sites, skips, and trash cans, which are easily accessible. Industries and big business should be severely punished for not adhering to laws and regulations, but this means that government at all levels must enforce these laws and regulations. A green and healthy culture should be inculcated in our communities. Our people need to understand the health risks that come with dirty and waste ridden streets. The culture of not littering starts at home and the drivers of cars, taxis and buses, etc. should hold themselves responsible to ensure that their passengers don’t throw garbage out of their windows. Property owners in our CBDs should take responsibility for cleaning their immediate surroundings. The current state of repair of buildings leaves much to be desired, this also includes government properties and buildings. Issued by: Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP
Admin
01 Mar, 2019
UDEMWO abhors the murder of rural women accused of witchcraft
We find it extremely difficult to digest the fact that three women, who hail from the Alfred Nzo district municipality in the Eastern Cape were, late last year, burnt to death because they had allegedly been witchcraft practitioners. This can only be described as the worst aberration of what might be called “mob justice”. It was recently reported that elderly women in the Eastern Cape are physically abused, raped and killed, because they practised witchcraft. They feel that they are in fact persecuted, in this manner, for the mere fact that they have grown old and wrinkled. This kind of inhumanity is spine-chilling; who would have thought that this world would change to a horrific and evil place where women are killed in such a brutal way based on groundless accusations and false pretences. There cannot be any justification for harming any person because of unfounded allegations that they practice so-called witchcraft or not. In the eyes of the law, murder is murder and the perpetrators of these depraved crimes should be caught, prosecuted and jailed. The United Democratic Women’s Organisation (UDEMWO) understands that these women have asked government for protection and to be moved away from their communities for safety reason. This would mean that they will in essence be banished and torn away from their loved ones. UDEMWO does not agree that, to isolate these women based on spurious allegations, is a viable long-term solution. Our constitution protects our rights to have inherent dignity and the right to have our dignity respected and protected. UDEMWO therefore condemns this violence and brutality in no uncertain terms, but even more so when it happens to our elders. We are so frustrated and aggravated that the women in this country are faced with different forms of abuse left right and centre, yet women’s minister Bathabile Dlamini is nowhere to be found. She should be the champion of women in all of our struggles. Lastly, UDEMWO believes that government must play a greater role in demystifying traditional practices within the confines of the law. It should step up its efforts to educate citizens on the role that such practitioners play in our society and broaden its information campaign to change people’s perception so that they can honour the fact that their fellow citizens and they have equal rights. Issued by: Ms Thandi Nontenja UDEMWO Secretary General
Admin
28 Feb, 2019
UDEMWO slams ANC and ANCWL’s hypocrisy re women abuse
The United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation (UDEMWO) is disgusted that yet another African National Congress (ANC) leader has been accused of women abuse. As the story unfolds, we note that these accusations constantly rotate amongst the ruling party’s prominent male leaders. Some of those alleged culprits have been Danny Jordaan, Marius Fransman, Mduduzi Manana, and more recently Pule Mabe and Zizi Kodwa. And, lest we forget, their very own, former president Jacob Zuma. Even though he was acquitted, the consequences of his actions left a bitter taste in the mouth. In fact, one could conclude that this is an ANC culture. The ANC and its Women’s League (ANCWL) never ceases to amaze. We, in particular, point out the ANCWL’s flip-flopping when it comes to either condemning or defending their male counterparts. South African women must pull the wool from their eyes and realise that the ANCWL are sell-outs with double standards. Where on earth were they when Jacob Zuma was faced with rape allegations? Bathabile Dlamini was at the forefront, supporting him while he was singing “Umshini wami” at court. It was also reported that the ANCWL went so far as to say that the late Fezekile Ntsukela Kuzwayo ‘Khwezi’, “should feel lucky to have been raped by such a handsome man”. What more should we expect from the ruling party’s male leaders? In fact, who is next? Issued by: Ms Thandi Nontenja UDEMWO Secretary General
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