Admin
12 Mar, 2025
Mismanagement of City Power: R4.9 billion in irregular expenditure
Statement by Andile Jabavu, Gauteng Provincial Secretary of the United Democratic Movement The United Democratic Movement (UDM) in Gauteng is deeply concerned about the Auditor-General’s (AG) shocking findings on the City of Johannesburg's City Power, revealing a staggering loss of R2.8 billion in the 12 months ending 30 June 2024. Even more alarming, the entity incurred irregular expenditure exceeding R4.9 billion, raising serious questions about financial mismanagement, corruption and governance failures. City Power, a vital municipal entity responsible for electricity supply in Johannesburg, is teetering on the brink of collapse. The AG has warned of “material uncertainty” regarding its ability to continue operating, with its liabilities exceeding assets by R1.1 billion. These revelations come as residents endure frequent and prolonged power outages, exacerbating Johannesburg’s ongoing electricity crisis. Of particular concern is the R12 million advance payment allegedly made to a politically connected businessman, for a public lighting project, months before any work was done. Reports shows that internal City Power officials raised red flags, warning that this payment violated Treasury regulations under the Municipal Finance Management Act and the Public Finance Management Act. However, these concerns were allegedly overridden by a senior official who instructed subordinates to process the payment despite clear irregularities. Even more alarming, the businessman in question is allegedly linked to a known African National Congress benefactor, raising serious concerns about political interference. Transparency and accountability are non-negotiable, yet City Power’s response to these grave allegations have been vague, with promises of investigations that have so far produced no tangible results. Meanwhile, Johannesburg residents continue to endure worsening infrastructure and daily power failures. The UDM in Gauteng will not stand by while public funds are mismanaged at the expense of service delivery. We call on the City of Johannesburg and law enforcement authorities to act decisively in rooting out corruption and ensuring that those responsible for City Power’s financial collapse are held to account.
Admin
11 Mar, 2025
UDM condolences to families of R21 bus crash victims and urges road safety compliance
Statement by Zandile Phiri, Acting Secretary General of the United Democratic Movement The United Democratic Movement (UDM) is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of twelve lives in a devastating bus crash on the R21 near OR Tambo International Airport in Gauteng today. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the families and loved ones of the deceased during this incredibly difficult time. We also extend our thoughts and prayers to those who have been injured and wish them a full and speedy recovery. This heartbreaking incident follows two other recent bus crashes in KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State, bringing the total number of fatalities to nineteen in just two weeks. These tragedies highlight the urgent need for stricter road safety measures and responsible driving. We urge all road users, especially public transport operators, to always prioritise safety by: 1. Obeying all rules of the road i.e. the speed limit, road signs and safe following distances must always be observed. 2. Ensuring roadworthiness of vehicles by thoroughly checking them before every trip to prevent mechanical failures, especially tires and brakes. 3. Resting when tired as fatigue is a major cause of accidents, drivers must take regular breaks to ensure they are alert and able to react to road conditions. Losing lives on our roads is unacceptable. The UDM calls on the authorities to intensify road safety campaigns, enforce stricter vehicle inspections and ensure that those responsible for public transport uphold the highest safety standards. May the souls of the departed rest in peace, and may their families find strength during this painful time.
Admin
28 Feb, 2025
UDM disturbed by ill-considered McDonald's foldable desks for Grade 1 learners
Statement by Zandile Phiri, Acting Secretary General of the United Democratic Movement The United Democratic Movement (UDM) is deeply concerned about the ill-conceived donation of foldable school desks, handed over by the Minister of Basic Education, Ms Siviwe Gwarube, in partnership with McDonald's and MiDesk Global. These desks were given to St. Paul's Primary School in Cape Town's Bo Kaap, in the Western Cape. It is unacceptable that, in 2025, our children are being used as walking advertisements for corporate branding instead of being provided with fully equipped classrooms that uphold their dignity. South African parents and educators have justifiably expressed their outrage over this situation. Rather than ensuring every child has a proper desk in the classroom, the department is celebrating a donation that shifts the responsibility from the government onto the backs of young children - literally! These desks are highly impractical, especially given the long distances and challenging roads many children must traverse to get to school. Adding this extra burden is absurd. To make matters worse, it is highly likely that the average child carrying the McDonald's foldable desk won’t even be able to afford a McDonald's Kiddies Meal in the first place! This situation is a national embarrassment for which Minister Gwarube must take full responsibility. We call on the Government of National Unity to ensure that every child, especially the poorest of the poor, has a desk to sit at when they are at school. Let us hope this is a one-time failed experiment that is not repeated elsewhere in the country.
Admin
28 Feb, 2025
UDM calls for urgent action against school bullying after more than 500 incidents occurred
Statement by Zandile Phiri, Acting Secretary General of the United Democratic Movement The United Democratic Movement (UDM) is deeply concerned about the alarming number of bullying cases reported in South African schools since the start of the 2025 academic year. A staggering 548 incident have been recorded, with Limpopo leading at 305 cases, followed by North West (78), Eastern Cape (68), and other provinces reporting significant numbers. The recent tragic deaths of learners, as well as shocking cases of physical and emotional abuse in schools, highlight the urgent need for decisive action. No child should fear going to school and no family should have to mourn a child due to bullying. The UDM calls on: 1. School authorities to strictly enforce disciplinary measures against bullies, including suspensions, expulsions and criminal charges where necessary. 2. Government to immediately launch a nationwide anti-bullying campaign, involving teachers, parents, learners and law enforcement to educate and prevent further incidents. 3. Schools and school governing bodies to have clear anti-bullying policies that are strictly implemented and monitored. An updated “Addressing Bullying in Schools” manual must be expedited and enforced by mid-2025. 4. Government to ensure that trauma counselling and legal support are available for victims of bullying and their families. 5. School principals, governing bodies and education departments must be held accountable for failing to act on bullying cases. The UDM further calls on the Department of Basic Education, SAPS and the Department of Social Development to intensify their inter-departmental efforts to prevent school violence. Parents, communities and school staff must work together to ensure that schools are safe learning environments for all children. Bullying is not just “child’s play”, it has deadly consequences. The UDM demands urgent action before more lives are lost.
Admin
27 Feb, 2025
UDM rejects commission of inquiry into initiation deaths as a wasteful exercise
Statement by Nqabayomzi Kwankwa, UDM Deputy President and Leader in Parliament The United Democratic Movement (UDM) strongly rejects the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs’ (CoGTA) decision to establish yet another commission of inquiry into the tragic deaths of initiates in the Eastern Cape. This is nothing more than a wasteful exercise that will do nothing to address the ongoing crisis. We have seen this pattern before; the government launches a commission, spends millions of rands, compiles a report, and then shelves it. Meanwhile, families continue to bury their children, and the root causes of the problem remain unaddressed. If the government were truly serious about resolving this issue, it would prioritise the solutions that traditional leaders have long proposed. The House of Traditional Leaders has consistently called for stricter enforcement against illegal initiation schools, proper training and regulation of traditional surgeons, and better coordination between cultural structures, communities, and law enforcement agencies. These are practical, implementable measures, yet CoGTA chooses to waste time and money on another commission that will bring no new solutions. Even more concerning is the complete lack of consultation on this matter. Some leaders of the Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (CONTRALESA) were not even informed of this decision and only learned about it through the media. This raises serious questions about the government’s true intentions. If this commission is genuinely meant to protect initiates, then why are those responsible for overseeing the tradition being sidelined? This is unacceptable and further proof that the commission is nothing more than a political smokescreen, an illusion of action with no real impact. For years, traditional leaders, as custodians of this sacred practice, have pleaded for resources to properly implement their strategies, yet they have struggled to secure government support. They have called for funding and resources to ensure that initiation schools are safe, properly regulated, and culturally authentic. Yet, instead of investing in these well-funded solutions, the government suddenly finds money for an inquiry, a process that could cost millions while delivering little to no tangible change. This is yet another example of misplaced priorities: money wasted on endless discussions instead of real, life-saving action. Should CoGTA insist on proceeding with this commission, it must be led by Xhosa men who have undergone the initiation process themselves. Anything less would be a complete insult to this deeply significant rite of passage. Initiation is not a bureaucratic procedure, it is a sacred tradition that requires respect, cultural understanding, and firsthand experience. No one who has not walked this path can claim to regulate or intervene in a process they do not fully grasp. The UDM demands that CoGTA abandon this unnecessary commission and instead redirect its resources towards real, practical interventions, such as regulating traditional surgeons and caregivers, enforcing strict oversight of initiation schools, and strengthening collaboration between cultural structures, communities, and law enforcement. Furthermore, there must be aggressive law enforcement operations targeting illegal initiation schools and unqualified surgeons, particularly in hotspot areas such as the OR Tambo and Alfred Nzo regions of the Eastern Cape. The time for talking is over, now is the time for action. Mabaye bephila, babuye bephila abantwana!
Admin
27 Feb, 2025
UDM raises concerns over education crisis: Our children deserve better
Statement by Zandile Phiri, Acting Secretary General of the United Democratic Movement The United Democratic Movement (UDM) is alarmed by the findings of the latest 2030 Reading Panel report, which confirms the ongoing crisis in South Africa’s education system. This report paints a bleak picture of literacy and mathematics skills among both pupils and educators, further entrenching inequality and threatening the future of our children. According to the Report, a shocking 80% of Grade 3 pupils still cannot read for meaning in any language, while nearly 70% of Grade 6 pupils fail to reach appropriate reading levels in their language of learning and teaching. Even more concerning is the widening gap between pupils who speak English and Afrikaans and those who speak African languages - an unacceptable reality in a democratic South Africa. Equally distressing is the sharp decline in Maths proficiency among teachers. In 2013, only 1.4% of Grade 6 maths teachers had basic maths knowledge; today, that number has jumped to 7.3%. This means too many of our children are being taught by educators who lack essential skills to prepare them for the future. How can we expect our young people to compete in a world driven by science, technology, and innovation when our education system is failing them so badly? While we note the improvement in teacher reading proficiency, with 94% of Grade 6 teachers now classified as critical readers, this progress has yet to translate into better literacy outcomes for pupils. The UDM acknowledges efforts by some provinces to introduce reading assessments, but we need a national approach that ensures no child, regardless of where they live, is left behind. The root causes of this crisis are clear: • The lack of proper teacher training and professional development. • Overcrowded classrooms that prevent individual attention. • Budget cuts that leave provinces struggling to provide basic resources. • Misalignment between universities and the Department of Basic Education, leading to teachers unprepared to teach in African languages. The Department of Basic Education’s slow response has already robbed too many children of their right to quality education. The UDM demands urgent and decisive action: • Immediate intervention in foundation phase education to equip young learners with strong literacy and numeracy skills from the start. • Better teacher training and recruitment, where universities must produce educators who are truly fit for purpose. • Investment in African language education, because language should not be a barrier to success. • Proper budget allocations: Government must better spend funding for quality education. Our children are the future of this country but without the right education, they have no future at all. The UDM calls on the Government of National Unity to step up its game so that every child in South Africa receives the quality education they deserve.
Admin
25 Feb, 2025
South Africa’s climate crisis: UDM calls on GNU to act swiftly
Statement by Zandile Phiri, Acting Secretary General of the United Democratic Movement The United Democratic Movement (UDM) is deeply concerned about the deteriorating climate crisis gripping South Africa. The country is in the grip of a worsening climate change crisis, with extreme weather events hitting harder and more often, putting the country’s people, economy, and environment at risk. Just this month, February 2025, KwaZulu-Natal was hammered by heavy rains and mudslides that killed seven people, while the Eastern Cape saw healthcare facilities wrecked by strong winds and flooding in the Alfred Nzo region. Pretoria has also recently endured a devastating tornado and severe flooding, prompting urgent safety warnings as homes, businesses, and infrastructure were left in ruins. South Africa needs to fight back and stop matters from getting worse. In that case, we need big, bold moves, starting with fixing our energy and transport systems, to cut emissions. The African Risk Capacity (ARC) has published a white paper titled “The State of Natural Disaster in Africa”, which examines the state of natural disasters in Africa and sheds light on a growing concern about the increased frequency of weather-related natural disasters and their devastating economic impact on the continent. Over the last decade, the frequency of disasters has steadily increased, rising from 32 incidents in 2014 to 56 occurrences in 2023, mainly due to floods. This escalating crisis has left South Africa, Mozambique, and Madagascar among the worst-affected nations in Southern Africa. Tackling this crisis requires an aggressive shift towards sustainable solutions. The country must prioritise strengthening its energy and transport systems to reduce emissions and build climate resilience. Government's commitment to renewable energy, as outlined in the Integrated Resource Plan, must be expedited to a just transition away from coal dependency. The potential of solar and wind energy, especially in resource-rich regions like the Northern Cape, must be fully, but carefully, harnessed. Additionally, investment in nuclear power, including small modular reactors that have proven successful in other nations, like China could ensure a stable and clean energy supply. Equally crucial is a transformation in the transport sector, as 90% of the country's transport emissions come primarily from private vehicles. The expansion of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems, such as Rea Vaya in Johannesburg, A Re Yeng in Tshwane and MyCiTi in Cape Town, could be a game-changer in reducing congestion and emissions. However, these systems must extend beyond major cities to smaller towns and rural areas, where deteriorating roads and limited public transport options have left communities vulnerable. To achieve this, the government must also address the ongoing tensions with the taxi industry and integrate minibus taxis into a cleaner, more efficient public transport system. Rail transport remains another area in dire need of reform. PRASA’s inefficiency, compounded by years of neglect and mismanagement, has rendered the system unreliable, leaving millions (including business and manufacturing) reliant on road transport. Restoring and modernising rail networks could significantly cut emissions while providing a safer, cost-effective transport alternative, particularly during disasters when roads become impassable. Strategic investment in rail infrastructure must become a national priority, ensuring that railways play a meaningful role in South Africa’s green transition. Beyond energy and transport, climate-proofing infrastructure must be embedded into urban planning, agriculture, water management, and disaster preparedness strategies. Extreme weather events are not anomalies but a new reality. Roads, bridges, buildings, and power grids must be designed to withstand severe weather conditions, while early warning systems and emergency response capabilities need urgent enhancement. Strengthening partnerships with global actors, like the European Union, will also be crucial in securing funding and technical expertise to meet the country’s climate targets under the Paris Agreement which for example include a greenhouse gas emission target of 350-420 MtCO2e by 2030. The evidence is undeniable, climate change is no longer a distant threat but an immediate crisis. The UDM believes that the Government of National Unity must act decisively to mitigate its effects, protect vulnerable communities, and build a sustainable future. The tools, policies, and frameworks exist, but without bold leadership and swift implementation, the country risks sliding deeper into an environmental and economic catastrophe. The time for half-measures and lip service has passed, our country needs urgent, transformative action before it is too late.
Admin
25 Feb, 2025
Ikageng Village near Rustenburg under threat of water, 3 years going, and nobody cares
Statement by Samuel Mualefe Chairperson of the UDM in North West and Msawenkosi Dumela, UDM National Deputy Organiser who hails from North West The United Democratic Movement (UDM) in North West is deeply concerned about the persistent and worsening issue of floodwater affecting the Village of Ikageng, originating from the Village of Rankilenyana on the road to Sun City, near Rustenburg in the North West. This ongoing crisis, which has plagued the community for the past three years, continues to cause widespread damage and suffering. The floodwater, stemming from mining operating companies near Rankilenyana, flows into Ikageng, wreaking havoc on residents' homes, infrastructure, and livelihoods. Despite numerous proposals and pleas submitted to government authorities to address the situation, there has been no response, intervention, or update from either the government or the ward councillor. The silence and inaction from those in leadership positions demonstrate a gross disregard for the well-being of the affected community, leaving residents in a state of uncertainty and frustration. The consequences of the flooding are devastating and include: • Severe damage to homes, belongings, and essential infrastructure. • Loss of valuables and financial setbacks for already struggling families. • Health and safety risks, including waterborne diseases and potential drownings. • Disruptions to daily life, including access to schools, workplaces, and essential services. • Severe environmental impacts and soil erosion. While the officials from disaster management have made visits to the area, their response has been wholly inadequate. They merely take down the contact details of affected residents and leave, offering no tangible assistance, emergency relief, or long-term solutions. This level of neglect is unacceptable. The UDM in North West calls on the government and all relevant authorities to take urgent and concrete steps to resolve this crisis: 1. Government must provide a detailed and transparent response to the proposals submitted by pressure groups and concerned community leaders, outlining their validity and the planned course of action. 2. Authorities must urgently implement sustainable flood control measures to address the root cause of the problem. This includes proper drainage systems, water diversion strategies, and holding accountable the operating companies responsible for exacerbating the crisis. 3. The government must provide tangible support to residents who have suffered financial losses due to the flooding. Compensation packages, emergency aid, and improved disaster response mechanisms should be put in place to protect vulnerable families from further hardship. This ongoing disaster is a failure of governance and planning. The residents of Ikageng cannot continue to suffer while those in power remain inactive and unresponsive. The UDM will not allow this issue to be ignored any longer and will continue to push for accountability and action. The time for empty promises is over, government must act now!
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