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18 Apr, 2025
UDM Nelson Mandela Bay calls for accountability and transparency after R53 million flood repair tender irregularities
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 is gravely concerned by the explosive revelations regarding alleged misconduct by senior officials of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, as detailed in a memorandum by the municipality’s former Acting City Manager, Mr Sizwe Mvunelwa. The memorandum apparently outlines a troubling sequence of events suggesting that seven senior officials may have misled the Office of the City Manager and deliberately bypassed valid contracts in order to irregularly award new flood repair projects worth R53 million. This, despite the existence of properly procured service providers already under contract with the municipality. This conduct not only undermines the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA), but it also exposes the Municipality to serious legal risks, potential withdrawal of disaster relief funding, and irreparable damage to the communities of KwaNobuhle, Kariega, and Kwazakhele, who continue to suffer the consequences of the devastating floods without timely intervention. The allegations include: • Possible collusion to subvert procurement procedures; • Recommending the appointment of companies without valid tax clearance certificates; • Issuing appointment letters to companies in violation of legal requirements; • Concealing critical information from incoming leadership to influence decision-making. Such actions, if proven, represent a gross dereliction of duty and a betrayal of public trust. The UDM fully supports the call for this matter to be referred to independent law enforcement agencies, such as the Hawks or the Special Investigating Unit, for a thorough and impartial investigation. We further call for: • The immediate suspension of all officials implicated in the memorandum, pending the outcome of investigations. • A full audit of the tender processes related to the R53 million flood relief funding. • The reversal of all irregularly issued contracts and reinstatement of the original contractors appointed under the valid triennial agreement. • Assurance from the municipality that service delivery in the affected communities will not be compromised due to internal administrative failures. The UDM maintains that the integrity of public institutions must be upheld at all costs. We will continue to monitor this situation closely and demand accountability for those who compromise the rule of law and the needs of the people for personal or political gain.
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
17 Apr, 2025
US pastor saved by SAPS; now save our children
Media Statement by Thandi Nontenja, MP and UDEMWO Secretary General The United Democratic Women’s Organisation (UDEMWO) notes the successful rescue of the American pastor who was kidnapped in Gqeberha. We commend the swift and coordinated response by the South African Police Service’s (SAPS) multidisciplinary units, which led to the neutralisation of the suspects and the safe recovery of the victim. This operation demonstrates what can be achieved when our law enforcement agencies act decisively and collaboratively. Too often, kidnappings in South Africa are driven by ransom demands a terrifying reality for victims and their families. The pastor’s case, although foreign in nationality, highlights a problem that affects our own people daily. We must now turn the same urgency and coordination toward the heartbreaking epidemic of missing South Africans, particularly children. According to recent reports, over 600 children have been reported missing in 2024 alone, with dozens still unaccounted for. Among these tragic cases is that of Joshlin Smith, whose disappearance from Saldanha Bay shocked the nation and remains unresolved. The lack of closure in such cases is devastating to families and communities alike. We urge SAPS to apply the same multidisciplinary expertise and urgency shown in the Gqeberha rescue to the ongoing crisis of missing persons across South Africa. Every missing child, woman, or man deserves the same energy, resources, and attention. It is time that we stop treating these disappearances as isolated incidents and recognise them as a national emergency that demands immediate and consistent action. The UDEMWO stands in solidarity with the families of the missing. We will continue to push for accountability, effective investigations, and real outcomes. We call on government to prioritise the safety of our people; all of them. We furthermore urge the families and caregivers of missing children to report such incidents to the SAPS immediately; do not delay, even by a few hours. The 24-hour waiting period is a myth. Time is of the essence when a child goes missing, and swift reporting significantly increases the chances of a safe recovery.
Admin
17 Apr, 2025
GDE’s continued failure to place 50 Diepsloot and Riverside learners in schools
Statement by Andile Jabavu, Provincial Secretary of the United Democratic Movement in Gauteng The United Democratic Movement (UDM) expresses concern and frustration over the continued failure by the Gauteng Department of Education to place nearly 50 learners from Diepsloot and Riverside into schools, despite the second term of the academic year already being underway. It is unacceptable that four months into the school year, children are still sitting at home while their right to basic education as enshrined in Section 29 of the Constitution is being denied. According to community reports and confirmation by activist Reginald Lebotse, dozens of learners remain unplaced due to delays in the completion of the Tanganani Primary School a project that was promised to be operational by the end of March 2025. Instead, families continue to face broken promises and vague reassurances. We further note the South African Human Rights Commission’s (SAHRC) intention to scrutinise the province’s admissions system, especially in areas affected by migration and rapid urban growth. The UDM supports this investigation and urges the SAHRC to prioritise Diepsloot and similar communities in their review. We call on the Gauteng Department of Education to urgently place all unplaced learners in temporary, safe and properly resourced classrooms while awaiting permanent school infrastructure. Provide clear timelines and transparent reporting on the completion of Tanganani Primary School and any other affected infrastructure projects.
Admin
16 Apr, 2025
A giant has fallen: UDM City of Johannesburg caucus pays tribute to the late Don Mlangeni Nawa
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) Caucus in the City of Johannesburg is deeply saddened by the passing of legendary South African actor, Mr Don Mlangeni Nawa, at the age of 65. His death marks the end of an era in the arts, one that gave dignity to black voices and brought the real stories of township life to our screens. Mr Nawa was not just an entertainer, he was a storyteller, a cultural activist and a mirror to South African society. His unforgettable performances from Bra Zeb in Isidingo, to roles in 'Sgudi 'Snaysi, Hlala Kwabafileyo, The Throne, The Estate and Shaka iLembe, captured the daily struggles, dreams and strength of ordinary people across this country. In a nation where the arts have historically been a battleground for identity, justice, and resistance, Mlangeni stood as a cultural freedom fighter. He gave voice to people emerging from oppression, navigating the new terrain of democracy and striving for self-definition. His performances resonated across generations, transcending screens and theatres to become a part of our national consciousness. As the UDM Caucus in the City of Johannesburg, a city that serves as the heartbeat of our country’s artistic and cultural life, we salute this son of the soil. His contribution to civic memory and cultural development cannot be overstated. In every township street and city apartment where his voice once echoed, there now lingers the silence of loss. But there also remains the echo of his truth — unfiltered, uncompromising, and unforgettable. We call on the City of Johannesburg to consider a fitting tribute to Mr Nawa. Whether it be through renaming a public theatre, launching a scholarship fund for young actors or establishing a cultural project in his honour, we believe his legacy must be preserved for future generations. To the family, friends and colleagues of Mr Don Mlangeni Nawa, we send our deepest condolences. South Africa mourns with you. He was not only loved, but he was also significant. A true national treasure. May his journey to the spirit world be in peace, and may his name be remembered among the greats who shaped our culture and national identity.
Admin
15 Apr, 2025
Congratulations: Inkosi Yomoya Dr Uzwi Lezwe Radebe on being awarded the 2025 Sunhak Peace Prize
Statement by Nqabayomzi Kwankwa, UDM Deputy President and Leader in Parliament The United Democratic Movement (UDM) extends its heartfelt congratulations to Inkosi Yomoya Dr Uzwi Lezwe Radebe on receiving the esteemed 2025 Sunhak Peace Prize, a global recognition reserved for those who have made extraordinary contributions to peace, human development, and moral leadership. This honour is not only well-deserved but deeply symbolic, reflecting the indelible mark Inkosi Yomoya Dr Uzwi Lezwe Radebe continues to make in the spiritual and moral reawakening of our people. His leadership through The Revelation Spiritual Home has reignited a spirit of African pride, unity, and purpose, restoring a sense of identity and healing that transcends generations and geographies. The UDM recognises Inkosi Yomoya Dr Uzwi Lezwe Radebe as a custodian of African wisdom, a moral voice in our times, and a peacemaker whose teachings continue to shape a more conscious and harmonious world. His message resonates with the principles of justice, self-determination, and restoration values we, as a movement, hold dear. As he takes his rightful place among global champions of peace, we salute his unwavering commitment to the upliftment of humanity through African spirituality and moral regeneration. May this prestigious accolade further amplify his mission and serve as a beacon of hope to all who strive for a better, united and peaceful world. Camagu. Makwande. Mathemba ayaphila.
Admin
10 Apr, 2025
Mixed Eastern Cape audit results show a government still failing the people
Statement by Bulelani Bobotyane, Provincial Secretary of the UDM in the Eastern Cape The United Democratic Movement (UDM) in the Eastern Cape notes the latest audit outcomes for the Eastern Cape government presented by the Auditor-General’s Office with serious concern. While the province has shown some progress in financial reporting, the core issues of poor planning, weak governance and lack of service delivery remain deeply troubling. According to the Auditor-General’s update to the National Council of Province's Select Committee on Finance, the number of clean audits in the Eastern Cape improved from five in 2019/20 to twelve in 2022/23. However, this has now dropped to nine clean audits in 2023/24, a clear sign of regression. It is unacceptable that key departments like Health and Education continue to receive qualified audits year after year. These departments are meant to deliver the most basic and important services to our people. The Education Department still battles to account for school assets, while the Health Department cannot properly report on money it may owe. How can we trust such departments to serve our communities? Even the Office of the Premier and the Eastern Cape Legislature have backslid in their audit outcomes. This shows poor leadership and weak accountability at the highest levels of provincial government. Many departments submitted performance reports full of errors and could not back up their so-called achievements with proper data. The UDM is also alarmed by the shocking levels of wasteful and irregular spending. In the 2023/24 financial year alone, the province recorded: • R467 million in unauthorised expenditure • R2.7 billion in irregular expenditure • R148 million in fruitless and wasteful spending. These figures represent a total disregard for public funds at a time when our people are suffering without proper healthcare, education, roads and jobs. The Transport Department’s scholar transport system which could help so many rural learners, remains under-utilised. Projects are delayed, money is paid for work not done and finished projects are often left unused. These are not just audit problems; they are service delivery failures. Our children can’t read because early childhood development targets are not met. Rural development remains just a slogan because departments fail to measure progress or complete evaluations. The UDM demands: • Full accountability for departments and individuals responsible for poor performance and misuse of funds • A clear plan to fix the failures in the Health and Education Departments. • Immediate action from the Premier to strengthen governance and service delivery across all departments. • Transparency in dealing with the R197 million in financial losses due to material irregularities. The Eastern Cape people deserve better than empty reports and broken promises. The UDM in the Eastern Cape will continue to be a strong voice for the communities being failed by this government.
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.
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