Admin
15 Nov, 2019
KwaZulu-Natal precarious weather
The United Democratic Movement would like to extend its heartfelt condolences to the families who had lost their loved ones in the past 3 days, due to the severe and dreich weather in the Province of KwaZulu-Natal. The Party also sympathises with the members of different communities that their properties were destroyed by adverse weather. Some of the havoc that has been witnessed like the over flooding along the N2 near the old International Airport can be blamed to the poor performance and negligence of the Department of Transport or SANRAL and eThekwini Municipality for failing to curb this from happening. This has been a problem from time immemorial whenever there are heavy rains. One does not need to be an engineer to realize that the drainage system that is there is not working The UDM calls on the Minister of Human Settlements, Lindiwe Sisulu and the KZN Provincial Government to give this matter an urgent attention and do whatever in their power to provide shelter and basic necessities to the communities that are affected by these hazardous weather conditions. All the victims that deserve to be helped must be assisted irrespective of their political affiliations as it has been happening in the past. A special plea is also made to all the motorists to be extra cautious on the roads by not putting their lives and of the passengers on danger, as seen on the videos that are circulating on Social Media. They must not dare the over flooded low bridges. It is dangerous. Lastly, the UDM proposes that the President of the Republic of South Africa, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa to declare State of Emergency to the ravaged districts in the Province. — end — Issued by: Mr Bongani Msomi UDM Secretary General
Admin
14 Nov, 2019
Condolences with passing of Xhosa King Zwelonke Sigcawu
We have learnt with shock of the untimely passing of the AmaXhosa King Mpendulo Zwelonke Sigcawu. His death is a terrible loss for the Xhosa Nation and South Africa. King Zwelonke was an outspoken and independent individual who did not shy away from expressing his opinions – especially when things were not right in our country. On behalf of the United Democratic Movement and myself, I express our condolences with his family and the Xhosa people. May his soul rest in peace. Statement by: Mr Bantu Holomisa UDM President
Admin
12 Nov, 2019
KZN provincial government is extravagant
The United Democratic Movement is perturbed by the news that the MEC for Education in the Province is using a hired motor vehicle for his official business that is costing taxpayers a whooping R100 000 per month. This is unbelievable if one considers that the ANC claims to be the government of the people and which represent the poorest of the poor. This is an illustration that the ANC led government does not practice what it teaches. The same government has made a lot of noise that it is going to do everything to save but look at this. This country is a now replica of Animal Farm. In five months’, time with this money a big luxurious motor vehicle in the range of a Toyota Fortuner can be easily bought. The big question that the UDM is asking, is this procurement of this hired motor vehicle in question a result of gross negligence or incompetence of officials or the department itself? Does this mean the motor vehicles of the state are not insured with a benefit of a provision of hired vehicles if it happened that they are booked for service or repairs? Courtesy cars should be available, This raises so much concern. The UDM KZN calls upon the Office of the Premier to do a proper investigation on this matter that will among other things find those involved who did not do their work. Whoever found wanting must pay back the money that has been spent unwisely. This is pure wasteful expenditure. End// Issued by: Boysey Gumede UDM-KZN Interim Provincial Secretary
Admin
06 Nov, 2019
A teacher dies: Keiskammahoek tragedy
The United Democratic Movement is disheartened by the sad news of the passing of an educator at Sivuyile Primary School in Keiskammahoek, Eastern Cape. The video of a heated argument between an Educator and a learner started circulating on social media late last week. The UDM is truly disappointed by this behaviour of the learner which is rapidly becoming a norm in our schools. The parents are to blame for allowing their children to take mobile phones to schools and the Department of Basic Education as well for failing to come to the rescue of the teachers who are subjected to the trauma of being abused by the learners. The teachers are not safe in schools and there is very little that they can do to instill discipline to rude learners. As a result of this emotional abuse they are exposed to, they end up being victims of depression. As of now, there are quite a number of educators whose attendance is regular because of the depression. The learners know it is not acceptable to bring phones in school premises but they continue to bring them because they are aware that the educators irrespective of whatever provocation there is very little that they can do. The learners have rights. An educator cannot confiscate a mobile phone from a learner in a classroom without being chastised. The UDM calls on the Eastern Cape Education MEC, Fundile Gade to take educators into confidence on his plan that he has that will prevent this from happening again. The death of this educator must be really a wake-up call for the education stakeholders and the Country as a whole. Many Educators are experiencing depression due to the conditions they undergo whilst on duty. May the Soul of the late Educator rest in eternal peace. Issued by: Mr Bongani Msomi UDM Secretary General
Admin
23 Oct, 2019
UDM reaction to Mmusi Maimane’s resignation
The past few days has certainly been interesting in terms of changes to the South African political landscape. Not only has senior leader, Herman Mashaba, announced that he can no longer remain a member of the Democratic Alliance (DA), now its federal leader Mmusi Maimane has resigned. The pressure brought on by Ryan Coetzee, Tony Leon and Michiel le Roux’s scathing report deprives the DA’s branches of an opinion on the matter. The tail seems to be wagging the dog. It seems as if the DA is showing its true colours; the project to transform the DA has taken a serious knock and I dare say, could now come to a grinding halt. Issued by: Mr Bantu Holomisa UDM President
Admin
15 Oct, 2019
Water issues in Msinga and the prevailing corruption: KwaZulu Natal
The United Democratic Movement (UDM), in KwaZulu-Natal, pleads with the Umzinyathi District Municipality, the Water Services Authority responsible for water supply in Msinga Local Municipality, to at least respect the law under which it is established, The Water Services Act. This municipality has displayed unwillingness, pure disregard and arrogance in servicing people of Msinga with water. The town of Pomeroy in Msinga, was yet again brought to a standstill today (15 October 2019), due to water protests in the area. Water supply is just not there! The District Mayor attributes his municipality failure to theft of diesel for generators to pump water (Isolezwe: 23 September 2019, page 28). This is in direct contrast to the fact that Umzinyathi District Municipality, two months prior to his statement, had just paid R4, 8million towards generators’ diesel between July and August. Why would the municipality pay so much and still no water two months after? This leaves much to be desired! The Human Rights Commission is currently engaging this municipality on its deliberate failure to provide Msinga inhabitants with a plan of water provision (KZ1920 / 0310), the complaint referred to it by the UDM on behalf of Msinga Community. PREVAILING CORRUPTION PRIORITIZED OVER WATER PROVISION It is shocking that this municipality, in just two months (July and August 2019) had the audacity to spend R1 777 870-00 on security services without following proper processes to award a tender – simply a deviation loophole, despite the fact that the municipality has full-time employed security personnel. Disrespect of the municipality’s funds earmarked for development projects and service delivery, saw this municipality spending R39 120 on Chicken Licken on one day (08 August 2019), instead of discharging its core functions, that is, of supplying the basic water to the people of Msinga among others. Access to clean water by communities at large is a right. These rampant spending, are among 58 transactions that were processed on deviations (without following processes), in a matter of two (2) months (July and August 2019). Accordingly, the UDM in KZN, calls on Mr Hlomuka, the honourables KZN MEC of Cogta and Dr Dlamini-Zuma, Minister of Cogta, to play their part by intervening on this serious and deliberate failure, notwithstanding the fact that the Human Rights Commission is playing its part to ensure that Msinga inhabitants rights to water are enforced. The UDM-KZN also calls upon IFP to recall its scandalous Mayor that is operating against its main principle “TRUST US”. This Mayor does not care about the suffering of MSINGA community.
Admin
15 Oct, 2019
The incarceration of a #FeesMustFall student continues: Khanya Cekeshe
The United Democratic Movement Youth Vanguard is very much dismayed by the decision of the Johannesburg Magistrate Court in dismissing Khanya Cekeshe’s application for bail and denying him leave to appeal his conviction and sentence. This can easily be construed as a rigid application of the law to a political case as the fees must fall protest was a political protest and such an important element cannot be neglected. Another factor is the glaring incompetency of Cekeshe’s previous lawyers in the matter who because of lack of knowledge ill-advised its client and such renders the trial unfair as correctly argued by Cekeshe’s new legal representatives. The very painful part about this case is the fact that Cekeshe is the only student that is languishing behind bars for a call for free education which was later affirmed by the government in power by its pronouncement made on the 16th of December 2017, on free education, other fellow #feesmustfall activists are free, some are under house arrest, Why can’t the Department of Justice do the same for Khanya? He is no criminal nor a threat into the community. When one looks at the decision of the court, it becomes clear that a number of factors were not considered especially the reasons behind violent protests that have become the norm of the day. Our government does not take serious peaceful negotiations. The only language that it is prepared to listened to is when communities or students resort to embark on violent protest actions. So, in this case of Cekeshe, the government is part to blame. The UDMYV doesn’t condone violence but Cekeshe is none other than a victim of circumstances. The UDMYV fully supports the call by the legal practitioners to petition the High Court in this matter. We also appreciate the change of heart to the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services by considering a Presidential pardon because He said he had no support towards the #feesmustfall activists not so long along. As we celebrated his appointment to be a Minister as a young person, now he must give us another reason to celebrate him by doing his work which is assisting young people that are hungry for education such as Khanya Cekeshe. We also call on every young person in this country to supplement the legal advocacy done by Cekeshe’s lawyers by using other forms advocacy to put pressure on the state to release Khanya and allow him to go and spend time with family.
Admin
10 Oct, 2019
South African Post Office Service Sucks: Poor service delivery
The United Democratic Movement (UDM) is disheartened by the poor service rendered by the Post Office, The Tramshed branch in Pretoria (Tshwane) cbd to be precisely has been offline for quite some time. The customers are receiving a raw deal. This post office cannot provide basic services to its customers, for example, one cannot apply for a post box or pay for television licence or do transactions on the atms that are lying there and collecting dusts or certifies documents, etc Not so long ago, Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams has promised an improvement and efficiency within the Post Office, none of that has taken place. When the Minister was re-appointed, the UDM had so much confidence on her but now one can see through her that that she was rhetoric when she committed herself in making the post office more efficient and that it will operate like full- fledged commercial bank. Seemingly, her priorities are skewed as her interest is more on 4IR conferences in each month. On the other side she is taking decisions to shut down some of the branches that are most effective branches, like the one at Arcadia, in Pretoria. The unemployed youth is applying and certifying at the Post Office because it is more convenient to get things done at one place, than having to go to the South African Police Service and then go elsewhere to send documents. The pensioners have been encouraged to make use of Post bank facilities but the big question are, how is this going to be possible if the post office can be “Offline” for months? If a post office in the capital city is failing to deliver basic services, how much more in the rural areas? This is not only affecting the communities but the morals of the Post office staff, it is tiring to tell people one thing that “We are offline”. What happened to the principle “Batho-pele?” The UDM calls on the Minister of Telecommunications and Postal services to take serious of her portfolio and mandate of her department. The role that this SOE plays is central in servicing the communities but its performance leaves a lot to be desired.
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