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22 Sep, 2017
Heritage Day 2017
As the country celebrates another Heritage Month – and Heritage Day on Sunday – the United Democratic Movement (UDM) calls for ways to resolve the intolerance and conflict between South Africans, which seems to have become the norm. We face huge challenges of cultural intolerance and racism; and it is taking a toll on South Africans’ psyche. To compound an already challenging set of circumstances, it still shocks that Bell Pottinger was so recklessly used (and let itself be used) to drive racial wedges deeper into our Rainbow Nation. We must not forget that South Africans from all walks of life fought hard for our collective freedom. If we harness the same energy we used to eradicate apartheid, we can unify and let our racial diversity be an asset. We cannot afford to lose this battle, because we cannot allow the blood of our heroes and heroines to be have been spilt in vain. As we are in the celebratory mood, we need to ensure that we bring the spirit of unity amongst South Africa and Africans in general. Let us use our various backgrounds, experiences and perspectives to find solutions to the problem. It is all our responsibility to build a common set of values that bind our diverse peoples together. UDM wishes every South African a wonderful Heritage Day. Statement issued by Mr Bongani Msomi, UDM Secretary General
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22 Sep, 2017
UDM’s reaction to the DA/PA divorce in Nelson Mandela Bay
Biased and unproven accusations. Using draft reports, without an audit opinion, not authorised by council. A national party leader quoting from a draft report. Press conferences and excited media reports promoting cheap propaganda based on a misrepresentation of the draft report. An executive mayor declining to comment on a report, because it is a draft – having first drawn vigorous attention to it. Fabrications and distortion of facts to excuse a dubious political marriage of convenience. A breach of confidence between a council and a professional firm of advisors. A court document gone missing from a judges file. A high court application dismissed as urgent, but without the merits of the case being heard. And yet, the Democratic Alliance (DA) claimed victory this past week. The reality is that the DA sits without a majority in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality (NMBMM) Council. There is no government without coalition partners. So, whose victory is it? It certainly isn’t the people of Nelson Mandela Bay. The DA has shown its true colours: a party with a self-important attitude that takes an unbending, bully approach to coalition governance. It continues to use a style of arrogating to direct, instructing and threatening. In other words, the NMBMM coalition partners must do as “the boss” wants… or else! The DA effectively rid itself of a coalition partner, the UDM, by dissing our deputy executive mayor Mongameli Bobani for not dancing to the DA tune. The DA then cajoles the Patriotic Alliance (PA), to front Mr Bobani’s removal on the promise of that position. Then, surprise, surprise, the DA reneges and the PA withdraws from the marriage of convenience entered in June this year. The UDM still does not understand why the DA entered into a separate agreement (from the existing co-governance agreement) with the PA? We were not part of the negotiations and were merely informed of the DAs decision. Is it because the DA had hatched a plan, in collusion with the PA, with the sole purpose of getting rid of Mr Bobani? It must be the case, considering that PA leader Gayton McKenzie wrote in the divorce letter to executive mayor Athol Trollip that: “The agreement reached was very clear, we will only enter into a coalition with the Democratic Alliance when the position of Deputy Mayor is made available for PA occupancy.” It is now clear that the DA has neither the maturity (nor the bearing) to form, manage and lead coalition governments which are, by their very nature, demanding of compassion and mutual respect. The DAs divide and rule mentality has no place in the politics of coalition. The sooner its leadership realises that, the better. The UDM will step up to strengthen the developing mechanics of coalition governance in the run-up to the 2019 National and Provincial Elections, when coalition governance is expected to become the norm in the next chapter of South Africa’s maturing democracy. Statement by Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP and UDM President
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19 Sep, 2017
BOBANI JUDGEMENT: Why was the UDM’s founding affidavit missing?
Statement issued by UDM President Bantu Holomisa, MP The United Democratic Movement’s (UDM) application in the Port Elizabeth High Court – regarding the reinstatement of Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality Deputy Executive Mayor Mongameli Bobani – had not been heard and shall be represented, in due course, on a non-urgent basis. In the meantime, the UDM will approach the Chief Justice with a request to investigate why the UDM’s founding affidavit had gone missing from Judge Chetty’s file, which was the main reason cited for the dismissal of the case. What must we read into this? The fact that the document seemingly disappeared into thin air must be investigated. End
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18 Sep, 2017
UDM condemns taxi violence in the Western Cape
Statement issued by Bongani Msomi – UDM Secretary General The United Democratic Movement (UDM) condemns the violent attacks on buses, bus drivers and commuters by striking taxi drivers/owners in the Western Cape. Already, there are innocent people that have been injured after buses were pelted with stones and some buses were even torched. This disaster is hot on the heels of the Uber and metered taxi violence in Sandton last week. It cannot be that, each time the taxi industry goes on strike, property is damaged and commuters are placed in danger. The UDM calls on the leadership of taxi associations, as well as taxi owners and drivers to not resort to violence to register grievances, as this anarchy affects innocent people who depend on the use of taxis to get to work and school. Many workers were forced to stay at home today, which means that they are losing income, which will in turn negatively impact on the lives of their families. It is of course our Constitutional right to strike, but violence resulting in injury and/or damage to property is simply unacceptable. Carnage and lawlessness have become the unfortunate hallmarks of mass action in South Africa these past few years. We must make efforts to express dissatisfaction in a peaceable way. Taxi bosses and all the stakeholders involved must urgently find ways to communicate constructively to find solutions to their problems. End
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14 Sep, 2017
Udm To Celebrate 20 Years In The South African Political Arena
Statement issued by Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP – UDM President The United Democratic Movement (UDM) had started its road on the transformation of South Africa into a Winning Nation on 27 September 1997 at the then World Trade Centre in Kempton Park. The Party was born with its feet firmly in the new South Africa. In retrospect, the UDM was ahead of its time. We were the first to bat on the wicket of good governance and we have, over the past twenty years, been steadfast in our work to hold the powers that be accountable. The UDM’s 20th Anniversary will be hosted at Gallagher Estate (Midrand, Gauteng) on Saturday, 30 September 2017. We plan to host 2500 of our members from right across the Country in celebration of this auspicious occasion. Aside from taking a retrospective look at the work the UDM has done to improve the lives of South Africans, we also want to talk about the exciting future of the UDM and what needs to be done to rescue the Country from a slippery slope. For practical arrangements, please contact Ms Sipho Mawoko (UDM Media Liaison) at the UDM National Office on 012-321-0010. End
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14 Sep, 2017
Police brutality is still a reality in S.A
Statement issued by Mr Bongani Msomi – UDM Secretary General The United Democratic Movement (UDM) in the strongest terms condemns the police brutality displayed at a service delivery protest in Hout Bay in the Western Cape, where a fourteen-year-old boy was allegedly shot in the mouth by security forces. We are appalled that the young boy was not only shot at once, but several times! It means the officer/s had intended to do grievous bodily harm. This incident is a throbbing reminder of many South Africans who have died because of the police’s use of excessive force. We are reminded of Andries Tatane who died in 2011 at the hands of the police while protesting for his rights. After so many years of democracy, the Country still suffers from the police brutality we experienced during the Apartheid era. This is gravely concerning and the continued incidents of police brutality against protesters cannot be allowed. The UDM has called for intensified police training, especially with regards to the Police Service’s code of conduct, and a revision of the curriculum, to enhance overall levels of competence and capacity. Officers who make themselves guilty of abusing their positions of trust, should not be defended; they should face the full might of the law. In addition, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate cannot only investigate; officers must account for their deeds. The UDM demands that the police officers, who on the video appear to be shooting at the boy, must be dealt with definitively. We wish the boy a speedy recovery. End.
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13 Sep, 2017
Letter by UDM President Bantu Holomisa to DA leader Mr Mmusi Maimane
Mr Mmusi Maimane Democratic Alliance Federal Leader Dear Mr Maimane NELSON MANDELA BAY COALITION: UDM REACTION TO DA’S USE OF PwC “DRAFT REPORT” TO BESMIRCH OUR CLLR BOBANI AND THE UDM: APOLOGY REQUIRED FROM YOU AND YOUR PARTY I refer to the “draft report” which had been prepared by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in terms of which the Democratic Alliance (DA) had masterminded a dubious campaign to remove from office the United Democratic Movement (UDM) Deputy Executive Mayor of the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality (NMBMM), Cllr Mongameli Bobani, under false pretences. The DA has very publicly, consciously and concertedly undermined one of its coalition partners. You had relied on an embargoed PwC “draft report”, which we certainly would not have seen had we not demanded a copy at a meeting of coalition partners on 22 August 2017 – only two days ahead of the DA bulldozing a questionable motion of no-confidence in Cllr Bobani through Council. The fecklessness of the “draft report” forced you to keep it secret, but it did not preclude you from (ab)using it. You and your colleagues have publicly criticised me (personally) and the UDM, saying that we condone corruption. The DA based its whole concerted campaign to get rid of Cllr Bobani, and besmirching the good name of the UDM, on a document in which PwC had not expressed an opinion and it had been clear that the document was preliminary. Little wonder that you kept it hidden in your briefcase as there is nothing in the “report”, contrary to your public misrepresentations, implicating Cllr Bobani. It is highly suspicious and abnormal that the accused, his party, the coalition partners and the NMBMM Council itself had been kept in the dark about the “draft report”. Yet, the “draft report” was given to you personally? Why were you, as a national leader of a political party, privy to this information at all? Is this a “municipality document” or a “DA document”? What were/are your and the DA’s motives in keeping this “draft report” to yourselves and using the information to attack the UDM? Another inaccuracy which the DA has peddled is that the UDM voted with the African National Congress (ANC) in the NMBMM Council. Firstly, differing from the DA is not tantamount to voting with the ANC. Secondly, your attention is drawn to our Co-Governance Agreement, where it is clearly stated that, should the coalition partners not agree on an agenda item, that item should be withdrawn for further discussion. Yet, your Executive Mayor, Cllr Athol Trollip, did not honour this arrangement and forced items onto the Council agenda, thus painting the other coalition partners into a corner, where the only option was to not vote in favour of an item we could not support. The case, currently underway in the Port Elizabeth High Court, is an opportunity for you to explain yourselves to the South African public and the voters of the NMBMM in particular. Lastly Sir, I submit that you and your colleagues have actively misled the public on this matter. The UDM would like to see you publicly and unreservedly withdraw your unsubstantiated accusations and apologise to me, to Cllr Bobani and to the UDM. Prove to the Nation that you are better than the manipulative, destructive liars within the ANC who you purport to oppose. Yours truly Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP President of the UDM Copied to: Rev Kenneth Meshoe, MP President, African Christian Democratic Party Mr Mosiuoa Lekota, MP President, Congress of the People Dr Pieter Groenewald, MP Leader, Freedom Front Plus
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12 Sep, 2017
Learner gang raped by her teachers
Statement issued by Thandi Nontenja – UDEMWO Secretary General The United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation is shocked about reports of a viral video, where a principal and two teachers are gang raping a school girl in KwaZulu-Natal. This act is too insane and disgusting to even contemplate. Parents send their children to school in the hope that, while learning, they are safe. But, these depraved individuals proved us wrong. Even the head of the school, who is supposed to lead by good example, appears to be involved. Not long ago a video was circulated on social media of a teenage girl being assaulted by a male student. No wonder we witness such behaviour from the young men; they think it is a “good thing” because they learnt it from their elders. What kind of generation are we raising? It is also immoral and disturbing that some person/s actually recorded the crime and did not even help the girl! To say we are disappointed is an understatement, we are totally shaken. What is going on in our schools? It’s no longer just a case of plain ill-discipline of teachers and/or learners. Sex and violence have invaded our places of learning. Our children, especially girls, are under siege and the authorities must act speedily and definitively to protect them. The Department of Education must take action against teachers who abuse their positions of trust; but suspension of immoral individuals is not enough. Justice must take its course and any teacher found to have violated the trust of our children, in any form, must be given the harshest punishment described in law. Such punishment would be a lesson to any educator who sinks so low. We call on any witnesses to come forward so that the police can quickly establish the identities of the people involved, not only for the sake of arresting the culprits, but also so that this poor child may be counselled for the trauma she has suffered. End
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