Admin
22 Oct, 2025
UDM says Mayor Mchunu’s excuses insult the people of uMzinyathi: where is the water?
Statement by Remington Mazibuko, Councillor in the Inkosi Mtubatuba Local Municipality and UDM KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Chairperson The United Democratic Movement (UDM) in KwaZulu-Natal notes with deep concern the recent comments by uMzinyathi District Mayor Thembisile Mchunu, who has admitted that the municipality lacks the technical skills and resources to maintain its collapsing water infrastructure. These excuses come six years after the UDM first exposed corruption and maladministration in uMzinyathi, and two years after the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) confirmed that the district violated the Msinga community’s right to water under Section 27(1)(b) of the Constitution. The UDM in KwaZulu-Natal lodged the original complaint with the SAHRC in 2019 on behalf of the Msinga community, under the leadership of the then UDM KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Secretary, Mr Boysey Gumede. That complaint laid the groundwork for the Commission’s 2023 Final Report, which found that uMzinyathi’s failures stem from poor management, lack of planning, and corruption, not water scarcity. The SAHRC’s 2024 follow-up visits reiterated those findings and urged urgent implementation of the recommendations. Just last week, CoGTA Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa acknowledged that uMzinyathi had incurred R1.4 billion in irregular expenditure, calling it “a lost opportunity.” He pledged that his department would conduct skills audits and strengthen capacity. The UDM welcomes this admission but reminds the Minister that words alone will not fill a water drum. The people of Msinga, Nquthu, Endumeni and Umvoti have heard these promises before. Meanwhile, Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina continues to tout the progress of large-scale projects such as the Lower uMkhomazi Water Scheme while turning a blind eye to municipalities that have failed for years to deliver basic services. National leadership cannot boast about megaprojects while households in KwaZulu-Natal still rely on rivers and tankers for their daily water. The UDM in KwaZulu-Natal demands that: 1. Mayor Mchunu and the uMzinyathi District Council immediately table a public implementation plan for the SAHRC’s recommendations, with clear timelines and funding commitments. 2. The Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs invoke Section 139 should the municipality fail to act within 60 days. 3. The Department of Water and Sanitation and National Treasury provide written updates to the SAHRC on corrective action taken since 2023. The UDM in KwaZulu-Natal will continue to monitor this matter closely to ensure that the SAHRC’s findings are implemented and that accountability follows where corruption and incompetence have stolen people’s right to water.
Admin
21 Oct, 2025
Call for calm and no protest action at Milnerton High tomorrow
Statement by Nqabayomzi Kwankwa, MP, UDM Deputy President and Leader in Parliament The United Democratic Movement (UDM) is aware of calls circulating for protest action at Milnerton High School tomorrow, following the assault of ten Grade 10 learners during an alleged initiation ritual. The UDM does not support the call for protest action at the school tomorrow. Such action would only disrupt the learning environment and risk inflaming tensions at a time when constructive engagement is yielding results. Mr Nqabayomzi Kwankwa has met with the parents of the affected learners, who expressed appreciation for the support extended to their children and for the constructive manner in which the matter is being handled. They have appealed for calm and for all actions to remain peaceful and respectful of the ongoing processes. The UDM notes and welcomes the announcement by the Milnerton High School, that the School Governing Body has met and approved the precautionary suspension of eight learners. This step was taken to ensure a fair and transparent process while maintaining a safe and conducive learning environment for all learners. The UDM commends this responsible action, which demonstrates that the matter is being dealt with seriously and in accordance with due process. The UDM calls on all concerned parties to act with patience and responsibility. The matric learners are currently writing their final examinations, and it is essential that their focus and peace of mind are not disrupted. The safety and stability of the school environment must be preserved so that teaching and learning can continue without interference. South Africans must allow due process to take its course. Justice for the victims must be achieved through the rule of law, not through disorder.
Admin
21 Oct, 2025
CPUT: campuses are no safe haven, as another student is raped
Statement by Lucia Matomane, UDESMO Eastern Cape Provincial Chairperson The United Democratic Students’ Movement (UDESMO) is dismayed and angered by the alleged rape of a 23-year-old female student at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) Observatory residence. It is unacceptable that such a violent crime could be committed against a student in an environment meant for learning and personal growth. No student should ever feel unsafe or be sexually targeted in a space that is supposed to nurture their future. UDESMO extends its heartfelt sympathies to the victim, her family, and the wider CPUT student community during this deeply distressing time. Sexual violence has no place in our society, and least of all on our university campuses. It is especially troubling that this incident has occurred so close to the annual 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, a global campaign dedicated to raising awareness and driving action against the very crimes we continue to witness. Sadly, this case is one of many in a country where gender-based violence remains one of South Africa’s most urgent human rights crises, marked by shocking levels of abuse, rape, and femicide. It has been reported that a 24-year-old male student has been arrested in connection with the incident and has already appeared before the Cape Town Magistrates’ Court. We understand that the case has been postponed to 27 October for a formal bail application. UDESMO commends the courage of the CPUT students who have peacefully taken to the streets to demand justice and accountability. Their actions reflect the growing frustration of young South Africans who continue to feel unsafe and unheard.
Admin
21 Oct, 2025
UDM demands accountability after Milnerton High bullying incident
Statement by Nqabayomzi Kwankwa, MP, UDM Deputy President and Leader in Parliament The United Democratic Movement (UDM) notes with great concern the disturbing incident that took place at Milnerton High School on Thursday, 16 October 2025, where ten Grade 10 learners were brutally assaulted in what has been described as an initiation ritual carried out by Grade 11 boys, allegedly members of the school’s first-team rugby squad. Reports indicate that the victims were struck with various objects, including hockey sticks, during this so-called initiation. One learner sustained serious injuries and required medical attention, while others remain traumatised. Some of the victims have reportedly received threats from those implicated in the attack. Video footage circulating on social media appears to confirm that the incident was not an isolated act of bullying, but an organised initiation assault conducted within a school environment. The recording shows a group of older learners in sports attire surrounding and striking younger pupils while others looked on and encouraged the abuse. This reinforces the urgent need for accountability not only from the perpetrators but also from the school authorities who failed to prevent or detect such behaviour. The UDM welcomes confirmation from Western Cape Provincial Commissioner of Police, Lieutenant General Thembisile Pathekile, that a criminal investigation into the incident is underway, following Mr Kwankwa’s engagement with his office. The Party also notes the assurance from Western Cape MEC for Education, Mr David Manier, that disciplinary measures are being implemented after Mr Kwankwa raised the matter with him. Mr Kwankwa will also personally meet with the parents of the affected learners during the course of the day to hear their experiences first-hand, monitor progress on both the criminal and disciplinary fronts, and ensure that the learners receive the protection and support they deserve. While these steps are necessary, the UDM maintains that the matter cannot end there. We are writing to Minister of Basic Education Ms Siviwe Gwarube to demand that her Department intervene decisively to eradicate violent initiation practices from all schools, and to institute a comprehensive review of learner-safety protocols, particularly in sporting environments. In addition, Mr Kwankwa has engaged the Western Cape MEC for Social Development, Mr Jaco Londt, who has agreed to assist in ensuring that psychosocial support services are provided to the affected learners and their families without delay. We will soon write formally to Mr Londt with the details of the affected learners to facilitate this support. The UDM welcomes this commitment, as the emotional and psychological trauma inflicted by such violence can be long-lasting, and professional assistance is essential to help these young people recover and rebuild their confidence. This act of violence is indefensible. It represents a breakdown of discipline and moral leadership within the school environment. There can be no justification for the culture of intimidation and abuse that continues to masquerade as tradition or team bonding in some schools. Bullying and violent initiation practices have no place in a democratic society that values human dignity and child protection. Schools must be safe spaces where learners grow in confidence and character, not fear and humiliation. The UDM urges parents, teachers, and learners to unite in speaking out against school violence and to restore the values of safety, respect, and discipline in our education system.
Admin
21 Oct, 2025
Gade hides behind matric exams as Eastern Cape education crumbles
Statement by Bulelani Bobotyane, Provincial Secretary of the UDM in the Eastern Cape The United Democratic Movement (UDM) in the Eastern Cape condemns the conduct of Eastern Cape Education MEC Fundile Gade, who attempted to postpone Parliamentary oversight visits under the pretext of matric examinations. This was not a scheduling conflict. It was a blatant attempt to dodge responsibility in the face of damning findings about the provincial department’s failures, including criticism from members of his own party. The Auditor-General has confirmed that the Eastern Cape Provincial Department of Education spent 99.9% of its budget yet achieved only 10% of its infrastructure targets. Even African National Congress (ANC) Members of Parliament were forced to admit that the situation is devastating and called for heads to roll. Instead of welcoming oversight and taking urgent corrective action, MEC Gade’s instinct was to evade scrutiny and hide behind the hard work of matriculants who deserve his full accountability, not excuses. The ANC’s provincial government is effectively pretending to fix education infrastructure while knowing the maths do not add up. Officials admit that the province needs R72 billion to clear its backlog within ten years, yet they budget only R1.8 billion a year. That is less than a quarter of what is required, and even those limited funds fail to deliver. Spending 99.9% of a budget while meeting only 10% of targets is not progress; it is the illusion of governance. If the provincial education department truly spends 99.9% of its budget, the people of this province deserve to know what it is being spent on. Where are the new classrooms, the repaired roofs, the functioning toilets and the rebuilt storm-damaged schools? How can so much money disappear into paperwork, travel and administration while learners sit under leaking prefabs and teachers work without electricity or proper sanitation? This is not a resource problem; it is a leadership and accountability crisis. The timing of the exams does not absolve MEC Gade from appearing before Parliament or explaining how billions have been spent with almost nothing to show for it. Leadership means facing the truth, not running from it. The province’s learners study in prefabricated classrooms, hundreds of schools remain closed or vandalised, and 427 schools still have pit latrine toilets. These are the real emergencies, not the Parliamentary calendar. The UDM in the Eastern Cape welcomes this decision and commends Parliament for standing firm in defence of accountability. Oversight is not a favour to the provincial executive; it is a constitutional duty. The time for excuses is over. The children of the Eastern Cape deserve leadership that works, not officials who hide behind exams and empty audits.
Admin
21 Oct, 2025
Lawlessness endangers South Africa’s public servants and essential workers
Statement by Zandile Phiri, Acting Secretary General of the United Democratic Movement Across South Africa, the safety of government employees and frontline workers has become a matter of grave concern. In Nelson Mandela Bay in the Eastern Cape, municipal staff have been repeatedly targeted while performing their duties. Workers were robbed at gunpoint in municipal offices, and others have refused to return to the field after experiencing violent attacks. The situation in the city mirrors a wider climate of fear in which public servants are exposed to criminality with little protection, even as they try to deliver essential services under difficult conditions. In Soweto, Johannesburg firefighters came under attack this week while responding to a shack fire in the Elias Motswaledi Informal Settlement. Residents stoned the fire truck, damaging a brand-new emergency vehicle that had only recently been added to the city’s fleet. This shocking incident reflects a deeper anger and frustration in communities facing poverty, overcrowding and slow service delivery. But it also shows a collapse in respect for those who come to protect life and property. Elsewhere in the country, we understand that authorities have been forced to declare certain areas as high-risk zones where emergency personnel may not enter without a police escort. These so-called Red Zones illustrate just how dangerous the working environment has become for public servants. The arrangement is inconsistent and often delays help to communities that are already in crisis. It stands as a stark reminder that lawlessness now dictates the limits of service delivery, and that frontline workers must depend on armed protection simply to do their jobs. The threat to safety does not stop with municipal or emergency workers. The crisis extends to the police themselves. In Kimberley, a female police officer was violently assaulted in full uniform while performing her duties in the city centre. The incident, which was captured on video and circulated on social media, shocked the nation and exposed the growing hostility faced by law enforcement officers. In Khayelitsha, protesters recently torched police vehicles during demonstrations over electricity and service delivery grievances. These events reveal a dangerous collapse of respect for the rule of law and for those tasked with upholding it. When officers are attacked and their vehicles set alight, it sends a clear message that criminals and opportunists no longer fear accountability. Such lawlessness not only threatens the lives of police officers but also undermines the very foundations of public safety and community trust. The UDM calls for decisive and coordinated action: 1. National and provincial governments must prioritise staff safety by conducting urgent risk assessments across municipalities, especially in high-risk zones, and by ensuring that field workers and emergency responders have the protection and support they need. 2. Law enforcement agencies must act swiftly and visibly against perpetrators of violence directed at public service employees. Impunity feeds chaos and without justice, respect for public authority will continue to erode. 3. Government and communities must rebuild trust. Many of these attacks stem from frustration over failed services, but nothing justifies violence. Dialogue, transparency and accountability must replace confrontation and destruction. 4. All public institutions must invest in trauma counselling and staff wellbeing. Psychological harm cannot be ignored. It affects morale, performance and service continuity. The UDM reiterates that South Africa cannot claim to value public service while allowing its servants to become victims. Respect for those who dedicate their lives to helping others is the foundation of a lawful, caring and functional state. Until law and order are restored and the dignity of public service reclaimed, the dream of a safe and working South Africa will remain out of reach.
Admin
21 Oct, 2025
South African creativity takes the world stage: UDM salutes Wim van den Heever
Statement by Zandile Phiri, Acting Secretary General of the United Democratic Movement The United Democratic Movement (UDM) extends heartfelt congratulations to Pretoria-based wildlife photographer Wim van den Heever on winning the 2025 Wildlife Photographer of the Year award, presented by the Natural History Museum in London. In a nation often defined by its passion for sport, it is time for the arts to shine with equal recognition. South Africa’s painters, photographers, writers and performers carry the same spirit of excellence, discipline and national pride that we celebrate on the playing field. Their achievements remind us that creativity is not a luxury but a force that shapes identity, strengthens unity and tells the stories that statistics cannot capture. When we invest in and honour our artists, we invest in the imagination that keeps our nation alive. Mr van den Heever’s striking photograph, “Ghost Town Visitor,” which captures a rare brown hyena moving through the sand-filled ruins of Kolmanskop in Namibia, is a breathtaking fusion of art and environmental awareness. It reflects a decade of meticulous preparation and deep respect for the natural world, qualities that define true mastery. Mr van den Heever’s achievement is more than artistic recognition; it is a national moment of pride that reaffirms South Africa’s place among the world’s creative and conservation leaders. It reminds us of the urgent need to protect endangered species and fragile ecosystems that stand as living symbols of our continent’s identity. His work demonstrates how artistic excellence and environmental stewardship can strengthen one another, inspiring both global awareness and local responsibility. It also promotes Southern Africa’s reputation as a destination where creativity, wilderness and cultural heritage meet, giving renewed energy to eco-tourism and photographic travel. Above all, his success encourages a generation of young South Africans to pursue their talents with discipline and vision, knowing that the world is listening. The UDM celebrates this moment as proof that South Africa’s stories, told through its people, its landscapes and its enduring creativity, continue to inspire the world.
Admin
21 Oct, 2025
UDM mourns six lives lost in yet another Limpopo road tragedy
Statement by Stanley Manaka, Provincial Chairperson of the United Democratic Movement in Limpopo The United Democratic Movement (UDM) in Limpopo expresses its deepest condolences to the families of the six people who lost their lives in the horrific crash on the R524 near Thohoyandou. We extend our sympathies to those who were injured and wish them a full and speedy recovery. This tragedy, coming so soon after the devastating bus accident that claimed 43 lives on the N1, has once again plunged our province into mourning. The loss of life on our roads has reached alarming proportions, and it is heartbreaking that Limpopo has become synonymous with repeated transport disasters. Speeding remains one of the leading causes of fatal accidents in South Africa, yet enforcement is inconsistent and often reactive. The UDM in Limpopo believes that stricter monitoring, including the use of speed cameras and mobile enforcement units, must become a permanent feature of our road safety strategy. Drivers who ignore speed limits endanger not only their own lives but also the lives of innocent passengers and pedestrians. The UDM in Limpopo calls on the provincial government, law enforcement agencies, and the Department of Transport to act urgently. The time has come for tighter enforcement of traffic regulations, more visible policing on high-risk routes, and thorough investigations into the causes of such crashes. Authorities must ensure that vehicles are roadworthy, that drivers adhere to all speed limits, and that reckless driving is met with swift and firm consequences. These repeated tragedies can no longer be treated as routine news. They are a national disgrace and a provincial emergency. Limpopo cannot continue to lose its people to preventable road carnage. This latest accident must be the final warning to all responsible authorities to act with urgency and resolve. The time has come to make road safety a standing priority, to intensify public education on responsible driving, and to ensure that every journey taken on our roads is a safe one.
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