Admin
13 May, 2018
North West under administration, but the provincial system itself is flawed
Media release by Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP and UDM President Some might consider President Cyril Ramaphosa’s taking control of North West a good move and believe that it will sort out the administrative and management quagmire it finds itself in. Whilst we appreciate the sentiment that prompted this move, it remains to be seen if it will eradicate institutionalised corruption in the North West. The unabated looting of state resources in this province have brought it to its knees, but one wonders whether, when national government steps in, this will not be a case of the wolf looking after the sheep. To sum up the situation, our people take to the streets daily, protesting the lack of service delivery, whether it be in the townships, rural areas or in the cities. We can no longer afford to fold our arms whilst South Africa is quite literally burning. Clearly the president has in fact used this constitutional provision in an attempt to sort out political problems within his party and it has nothing to do with a rescue mission. Given the exploitation of state funds, in all nine provinces, it makes sense to put the whole caboodle under administration. However, part of the problem is that the system in itself is flawed and have created nothing more but glorified homelands where racism and the fires of ethnicity are fanned. Do we really need these glorified homelands? We should rather strengthen the local sphere of government and let national government supervise. This piecemeal intervention by the president is simply not good enough to save South Africa from the slippery slope we find ourselves on due to the years’ long maladministration of the ruling party.
Admin
11 May, 2018
Open letter to Wesbank CEO re meeting about banks and car dealers’ relationships
Dear Mr De Kock LETTER OF GRATITUDE Our meeting of the 10th of May 2018 refers. I wish to express my gratitude that you convened us in the manner that you did. We are particularly grateful that you took time out of your busy schedule to prioritise this matter and to listen to us and allow us to engage with you. I believe it was a worthwhile and valuable exercise, where both sides of the story were expressed and pondered. Given yesterday’s deliberations it also became quite evident that something was amiss; all considered there is certainly a problem that needs to be attended to. 1. Observations Against the backdrop of the meeting I would also like to make the following observations: • I noted your firm response that the bank is not responsible or that it cannot be held accountable for the dealer’s actions. • As a layman, I had difficulty staying abreast of your perspective in this instance. The reason being that at all, if not most dealerships, there are bank representatives, who actually perform and participate in the acquisition process of a vehicle, liaising with and on behalf of banks. • It hence becomes difficult for me to grasp if the bank will now want to exonerate itself, when there is a problem. • Mr Ndara outlined to all of us in detail how the problematic deal came to be. I must say again I appreciate your frankness when you responded to him by saying “If what you are saying is true and accurate, then I must sympathise with you because you will have been done a grave injustice” • In all honesty anyone who would hear and intimately understand how the deal was concluded, can only sympathise with the situation in which he now finds himself. You will have noted the scathing comments made on my social media platforms; it was clear that the majority of responders either sympathised or empathised with him. • The other significant point that came from the meeting was that, he could have obliged and continued to make payments towards the vehicle, and had he not spent it on lawyers perhaps he would have settled the balance of the debt, but the principle superseded all. • In fact, Sir, Mr Ndara did not take a decision to pay himself. His lawyer at the time, Mr Ben Du Plessis, based in Pretoria, wrote to the bank in October of 2007 requesting documentation that de facto amended or cancelled the original agreement of 2004 that had been signed by both parties. When a month went by without a response, he advised Mr Ndara of his rights in terms of payments especially in view of the two reloaded agreements. 2. Facilitation of a meeting with the dealership I also believe that in view of master agreements between banks and dealerships, it is rather unfortunate that in this case the bank and the dealership worked together in the courts pursuing Mr Ndara. That is what makes me rather uncomfortable with your having to preside over the matter. Nevertheless, now that you have made this suggestion and also your response to Mr Ndara’s narration I do believe that you are engaging with us in good faith. I would therefore suggest that you proceed and arrange the meeting with the dealership so that everyone involved is present. Given that this is a credit agreement and to give more clarity and to lend credence to the meeting, you must also invite a representative from the National Credit Regulator, the custodian of credit agreements. Such a move would allow all of us to gain clarity and help us to move in the right direction. This by no means stops anyone who wants to go to court, but in the spirit of yesterday’s meeting I believe it is very important that we meet as such. 3. Way Forward At the end of the day, the bank is licensed to operate and as such it is obligatory that it also operates within the parameters and conditions of the license that it has been granted. We have various bodies like the Parliamentary Committee on Finance, the Financial Services Board, Ombudsmen, National Treasury, the Department of Trade and Industry and the Reserve Bank Disciplinary Committee who may take a particular interest in this matter. However, given our engagement yesterday I am convinced if we soberly apply our minds we may well be able to find one another here, as we are not only dealing with our opinions but more fundamentally we are also dealing with the laws that govern this country. As a member of parliament and the president of a political party it is my duty to see this matter through. I have no intention of abandoning this process. I intend to follow through until this matter is resolved either way. Once more I appreciate your leadership yesterday and I look forward to further engagement on this matter. Yours sincerely Mr Bantu Holomisa Member of Parliament President of the United Democratic Movement
Admin
11 May, 2018
2018 Budget Vote 39: Rural Development and Land Reform
Address by Mr ML Filtane, MP in the National Assembly Subject for Discussion: Budget Vote 39: Rural Development and Land Reform Honourable Chairperson and members The Preamble of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, states: “we … believing that South Africa belongs to all who live in it…” Question is, which part of South Africa actually belongs to the landless. Please respond by providing radical action to help them get their land back. Honourable Minister, hear the cry of the millions of the so-called South African citizens. They are crying out for land. Help them get what is in reality and constitutionally theirs, LAND. They want to belong to South Africa, they want to own South Africa, they want their acre of our beloved country. To them this budget means nothing, nothing because it talks about development programmes on land, yet they own no land, yet they own no land. So desperate are their circumstances, so dire is their situation, that 11 million of them are likely to go to bed tonight without a meal. They need land, on which to build family homes, from which to produce food for their families, from which to conduct business, on which their children will play, on which their budding sportsman and women can develop their talents. The people of Baziya and Highbury are painfully waiting for the finalisation of their land claim. Please Minister we need action and we need it NOW. They need land, which they can hold and horde for future generations, on which they can keep their livestock and milk their cows and feed their children, nutritionally. Minister, Africans will not ask for even one penny from you in order to do all the above. I have personally experienced this lifestyle in rural Transkei The much spoken about radical economic transformation needs radical legislation. The Bills that are with us now come nowhere near achieving that. Just over a year ago, I questioned the then Minister of Rural Development about this weak ESTA Bill and his response was that, that can only be done with a new Bill. Will you look into that as the new Minister, please. Farm workers continue to be evicted without getting much effective protection from government. Municipalities need land to resettle these evictees. Three weeks ago, I finally cleared the myth that Isilo owns Ingonyama Trust land. I took the committee through the Act clause by clause. The Ingonyama Trust Board Chairperson, Judge Ngwenya did not rebut my statement. So your department can now move in there and carryout the programme of securing land tenure for the inhabitants of that 2.9 million hector land. We have yet to see as the committee, a departmental report that as little as 1 000 supported entrepreneurs are earning just a R1 000 monthly for 12 months on the trot. In the absence of such a report this department does not qualify to be part of the economic cluster. It should be moved to the social cluster. But we support this pittance budget. Thank you
Admin
10 May, 2018
Local Government Week Outcomes: address by Mr LB Gaehler, MP (NCOP) in the National Assembly
Honourable Chairperson and Members Notwithstanding the recent outbreak of listeriosis, in which at least 190 people have died, South Africa does not meet the world health standards for food inspectors. According to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), we have just one environmental health practitioner per 30, 000 people. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends a ratio of one environmental health practitioner for every 10, 000 people. This means South Africa does not have enough people checking the health and safety standards for production. Municipalities, in particular those in rural and small towns are the hardest hit. They must be helped to be proactive, to pre-plan and meet the required standards of at least one environmental health practitioner for every 10, 000 people. The NICD must have more laboratories to deal with this crisis. Chairperson, the municipalities are the culprits with regard to the non-payment of service providers within the regulated 30 days as per the National Treasury Instruction note number 34. This is not only a defiance of government policy, but a brutal onslaught against the poor masses of our people who are trying their best to live a better life, through their own initiative. Chairperson, we suggest that the NCOP institute an urgent investigation of the extent of this crime against our people who are running small businesses. We must know, which municipality is in debt to our poor people and how much is owned. Once that is established, culprits must be reported to the relevant authority for a proper recourse, on behalf of the local hawkers, caterers, B&B owners and many others. Lastly, there are still municipalities and institutions who are hell bent on defying another government policy, that of buying local. Officials go to places like Butterworth yet they sleep and eat in East London, they procure food and other items more than 50kms outside the local area. WHY ARE THE POOR MASSES IN RURAL AREAS BEING ATTACKED LIKE THIS. This new dawn must arrive to the poor too. Municipalities must play the ball and BUY LOCAL. Thank you
Admin
10 May, 2018
2018 Budget Vote 38: Human Settlements – address by Ms CN Majeke, MP in the National Assembly
Honourable Chairperson and members Outcome eight of the outcome-based performance approach that speaks to the mandate of the department adopted in January 2010, places responsibility on the part of the department to provide sustainable human settlements and improved quality living environment. However, visiting ward 28 in Soweto on Sea in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM) where houses were built pre-2010, you will find a totally different and devastating reality. This has resulted in the community launching a petition with the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature (ECPL). These citizens are currently registered and counted as beneficiaries of Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) houses by the human settlements department, yet, their situation can best be described as a glorifie squatter camp. In 2015, the NMBM human settlements department promised that the beneficiaries of the Zanemvula Priority Project would be temporarily removed to enable for the rectification programme to correct the defects. Three years later, these poor citizens continue to live with graves as their neighbours with absolutely no space or hope for economic, social activities and inclusion. For them, to bury their loved one, they have to rely on facilities outside from where they reside. Chairperson, many of the houses and settlements built between 1994 and 2010 are a far cry from the acceptable and current national policy, national norms and standards for housing and human settlements development. In ward 28, our people are crammed in overcrowded and dysfunctional spaces of less than 100 square meters with regular service interruptions. Chairperson, this department has to go back to basics. In this regard, we propose, that: • The department should assess all the houses and settlements that were built between 1994 and 2010, and compare it to the current policy, norms and standards. It must evaluate whether they are consistent with outcome eight, which provides for sustainable human settlements and improved quality of household life. • In the event of discrepancies, as is the case with ward 28, the minister must make policy proposals, consistent with the rectification programme and other relevant legal pre-scripts, to elaborate a plan that the department can and will implement to rectify the anomalies. • In this regard, the minister is invited to make ward 28 a pilot project. Accordingly, the minister should immediately contact the ECPL so that she may have access to the petition that carries the details of this challenge. • As part of attending to this national challenge, the minister, together with her provincial counterpart, should consider making an urgent visit to this ward to see for themselves the real circumstances defining our people in a democracy. Please Minister, consider joining the ECPL during their Public Participation Week on the 28 of May to the 1st of June in NMBM. Ward 28, is the epitome of a lack of broad national housing delivery goals, a lack of monitoring the financial and non-financial performance of provinces and municipalities. It also speaks to a lack of deliberate consultation with all the stakeholders in the housing delivery chain, including civil society and the private sector. Thank you
Admin
10 May, 2018
Why is Mduduzi Manana still an MP?
Statement by Ms Thandi Nontenja, UDEMWO Secretary General The United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation (UDEMWO) is disturbed by the fact that the former Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training Mduduzi Manana is again in the papers for alleged women abuse. Not long ago, he was released on bail after he assaulted a woman in Johannesburg. How many women must suffer at his hands before he is stopped? Has he become a serial offender? Why does the governing party continue to support and protect alleged women abusers? Government spends millions of rands on campaigns against women abuse, whilst the ANC draws a laager around some of its leaders for no apparent reason, but possibly for political favours? In addition, the spineless Women’s League’s lukewarm reaction is a condemnation of the women at its helm. It is the ultimate insult when women leaders defend their male counterparts at the expense of other women. Why have a Women’s League if it is nothing but an apron for immoral men to hide behind? UDEMWO does not understand why Manana is still warming a seat in parliament? If the ANC cared enough about the plight of women and children, he should have been booted out of the national assembly. We commend the National Prosecuting Authority for not dropping the charges against Manana and we hope that justice will take its course. Also, state prosecutors must not spare Manana because of his status. The magistrate presiding over this matter, should throw the book at him. Lastly, UDEMWO believes that men in Manana’s position should be the daily embodiment of the campaign against gender violence. In fact, when a prominent South African man makes himself guilty of women abuse it makes it easy for the average man and boy to emulate this behaviour. Issued by: Ms Thandi Nontenja UDEMWO Secretary General
Admin
09 May, 2018
2018 Budget Vote 17: Social Development – Address by Ms CN Majeke, MP in the National Assembly
Subject for Discussion: Budget Vote 17: Social Development Honourable Speaker and members The United Democratic Movement (UDM) supports the report. However, the UDM feels that there are major obstacles in the way that the department must overcome, namely within social work graduates and the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA). Chairperson, drugs and alcohol abuse is one of the struggles that the country is facing. Parallel to this struggle is that thousands of social work graduates are trained at huge cost to state and are languishing at home and on the street corners of our villages and townships without work. In 2018, it is projected that the number of unemployed social workers will jump to 8 600 from 3 800. This increase is from the 4 840 social work students with government bursaries mainly from this very department. The UDM agrees with the chairperson of the portfolio committee that discontinuing the funding is not the solution and will create further crisis. South Africa has not enough social workers to drive the departmental community development agenda towards a caring and inclusive society as envisaged in the National Development Plan (NDP). We therefore propose that: • The department engages with other departments like correctional service to assess the need for this skill and channel the unemployed graduates accordingly. • Train the unemployed graduates in community development and ensure that the department drives this important programme with the requisite capacity. • Extend the community development programme to non-profit organisations and non-governmental organisation so that the proper utilisation of social workers is spread and that our communities are assisted to development consistent with the 2030 vision. The UDM is also angered by fact that SASSA officials deliberately misled beneficiaries and forced them to migrate from a cash payment system to an online system which create many complications for beneficiaries who are not familiar with online cash systems. Furthermore, the lack of understanding by some beneficiaries of online systems, leave them oblivious to unlawful deductions and corruption as seen in the past. SASSA must address the problems caused by those officials have deliberately misled the beneficiaries and must take the appropriate actions: 1. They must receive a suspension without pay for a period of no less than three months. 2. They must commit to do community service in that time to give back to a community they deliberately misled. 3. SASSA must make every effort to communicate the situation to those who are affected and revert the migration for those who wish to make use of the cash payment points. The UDM also recommends that government quickly creates a reliable, safe and fast system to pay out SASSA beneficiaries. Long queues and offline systems slow productivity of the country and need to be mended with the utmost urgency. The Chief Executive Officer of SASSA must fill the vacancies. The high vacancy rate places stress on the current employees and need to pick up the additional responsibilities and furthermore the vacancy rate will definitely hamper the performance of the office. Thank you
Admin
09 May, 2018
2018 Budget Vote 14: Basic Education; declaration by Ms CN Majeke, MP in the National Assembly
Honourable Chairperson and Honourable Members Education is the greatest investment into the success of the National Development Plan and the advancement of the South African socio-economic status and basic education is the starting point. Over time the quality and output of the South African basic education system has changed. On the positive side: • Pre-school enrolment has improved; • The proportion of people with aged 20 and above, with no formal schooling, has fallen significantly to 4.8% in 2016 from 13% in 1995; • Matric candidates receiving a bachelor pass have increased from 20.1% in 2008 to 28.7% in 2017; and • Many schools now have clean water and electricity. However, the negatives of this system are overwhelming. • Just under half of children whom enrol in grade one makes it to grade 12; • Roughly 20% of grade 9, 10 and 11 are repeaters, which suggests that they have been poorly prepared in the early grades; • Less than 7% of matric candidates pass math with a grade of 70%; • In the poorest quintile of schools, less than 1% of matric candidates receive a distinction in math; • Only one in three schools have a library and one in five have a science laboratory. The poor quality of math education in South African schools is of great concern. Math, in all probability, is the most important marker in determining whether a young person will enter the labour market or grow to become a professional. Whilst this problem is across the board, the quality is worse in the poorest quintile of schools, leaving no doubt that the inequalities in the schooling system is replicating pre-democratic trends of poverty and inequality in our society. Our economy is evolving in favour of high-skilled tertiary industries, yet political pressure and policy is being used to drive up the cost of unskilled labour. This means that the majority of poor children are unlikely to ever find gainful employment. The current school infrastructure remains the devil in our system of basic education. Schools built out of mud, wood, zinc and asbestos should have been replaced by November 2016. Yet by its own admission the department of education will only meet this expired deadline, six years later. Furthermore, provinces like Eastern Cape add to the educational challenges by being culprits of under-expenditure in this regard. Chairperson, the department must resist its current practice of building schools that become white elephants because there was a lack of proper understanding of the local demographics and no direct participation of the provincial stakeholders which must include all sectors a community. Whilst we support the report, we are doing so under protest, because our system represents the single greatest obstacle to socio-economic advancement of our nation. It replicates patterns of unemployment, poverty, inequality and it denies the majority of young people the chance to make it in life. Additionally, the dismal failure of the department to replace inappropriate school infrastructure, such as pit latrines, has turned schools into graveyards for learners. We impress on the minister to pull up the department’s socks and deliver to the poor people of South Africa. Let us put the people first. Thank you
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