Admin
08 Oct, 2018
Condolences: passing of Eastern Cape Education MEC
The United Democratic Movement is saddened by the loss of Education MEC, Mandla Makupula. This is not only a loss for his family or the Eastern Cape, but to the nation. We wish to send a message of condolence to the family, friends and to the African National Congress, as well as the education fraternity at large. His departure leaves a scar especially during a time that the province still faces a whole lot of challenges in education development. May his family find strength and solace in this sad time. Our prayers are with them. Issued by: Bongani Msomi UDM Secretary General
Admin
05 Oct, 2018
PIC looting scandal
The deeper we dig, the greater the corruption exposed. The United Democratic Movement (UDM) has been saying all along that there is something seriously wrong at the Public Investment Corporation (PIC) and that it is endangering the pensions of government employees. Our sources indicate as much, and the scratch-work done by the media; in particular the amaBhungane Centre for Investigative Journalism, reads like a corruption horror story. As the drama unfolds, a pattern emerges where some of the family members some Deputy Ministers of Finance, de facto chairs the PIC board, have had their fingers in the PIC cookie jar. It would therefore make sense to think that Minister Nene has been covering for PIC CEO Dan Matjila, the board and himself. Only yesterday did he confirm that he had tea and coffee, almost six times, with the Gupta family. This proximity of Minister Nene and his son to the Guptas is no different from the connection of former president Jacob Zuma and ANC Secretary General Ace Magashule. Even the Gwede Mantashe toilet scandal in Amathole comes to mind. There is a clear conflict of interest here and, under normal circumstances Minister Nene would be handing over his resignation this morning. Nene and Matjila should be removed from their positions and the current board be dissolved, to make way for an interim board until this matter has been investigated. Very early on, the UDM approached President Ramaphosa regarding various dodgy PIC deals and he promised to act. Yet, the Ramaphosa has been stalling in appointing the PIC commission of inquiry and publishing its terms of reference. He made this announcement and the months’ delays are casting aspersions on his integrity. There is enough prima facie evidence that should convince the president to get the PIC inquiry up and running with immediate effect with the participation of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, the Financial Intelligence Services, as well as Interpol. Also, each of the past PIC Chairmen of the Board should be investigated. For further comment: Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP UDM President
Admin
04 Oct, 2018
Xolobeni: Minister Mantashe’s arrogance
The United Democratic Movement (UDM) is dismayed at the decision of Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe to give an Australian company the go-ahead to mine at the Xolobeni village in the Eastern Cape. This, even after an outcry from the community. Millions of rands will be shipped out of the country by the foreign company leaving our people poor and without something tangible for themselves. It is heart-breaking that the very leaders, whom the ordinary people have voted into office, leave them in the lurch once they ascend to power. They are taking advantage of the innocent and have forgotten about the needs of the people and all the promises they made to them. For Mantashe to boldly say that his department together with the Australian company Transworld Energy and Mineral Resources will not wait for the court’s decision on the matter shows extreme arrogance. The UDM views this as nothing other than exploitation by self-serving individuals who continue to milk the innocent. Issued by: Bongani Msomi UDM Secretary General
Admin
03 Oct, 2018
Government still fails on SASSA system
The United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation (UDEMWO) is stunned that many social grant beneficiaries still have difficulties in accessing their grants on time due to a number of cash points that have been closed since the Post Office took over from Cash Paymaster Services. This is totally unacceptable. UDEMWO has asked before whether the South African Social Service (Sassa) has the capability and capacity to deliver on its promise of smooth running and uninterrupted system. Beneficiaries, especially those in rural areas, continue to find it difficult to reach far pay points since the usual ones have been closed. The ATM system is not user-friendly or safe for the elderly. There must be another safer way that will work. What is happening at Sassa paints a clear picture of the incompetence of all those involved in the continuing debacle. Innocent people are suffering because the ruling party continues to elect selfish and self-serving individuals to positions of power. We call upon Social Development Minister Susan Shabangu to do the right thing and come forth and explain to the nation of her lasting plans to make sure that the problems that are clouding Sassa are solved. Issued by: Thandi Nontenja UDEMWO Secretary General
Admin
02 Oct, 2018
Nelson Mandela Bay: Trollip is the orchestrator of his own demise
Demist mogafe <It looks as if the Democratic Alliance federal chairman Cllr Athol Trollip, of the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro, seems to be suffering from selective amnesia. He proves himself to be nothing more than a prevaricator and a practiced liar. It is about time that someone confronts Trollip for spreading falsehoods and misrepresenting facts. Having listened to the radio on what Trollip said in his address to the Cape Town Press Club, the United Democratic Movement (UDM) wishes to remind him of an internal audit report which details how he and former city manager, Johann Mettler, were up to no good. See the attached scathing internal report. We also want to remind Trollip of the PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) final report that he and his leader, Mmusi Maimane, carried about in their briefcases, saying that there was prima facie evidence that our Mongameli Bobani was corrupt. The council, the public and the media has been calling for him to make the report public. It is thanks to the Herald, which had access to the report, that we know that there was no finding that fingered Bobani. This report surely cost the municipality millions of rands. As we ponder this expense, one wonders how he will ever explain it. Trollip now sits with egg on his face having, what seems to be, a DA commissioned report. Trollip is yet to table at council, the “evidence” allegedly contained in the PwC report. That day will seemingly see the pigs fly. Trollip must man up and come clean, so that voters can know the real him. Trollip also chose to refer to the “dirty money” that the UDM allegedly used to fight a by-election in 2015. He sounds like a broken record. When he made the allegations, many months ago, I responded and said that it was hogwash. I challenged him to investigate the matter and table the findings at council. On the 15th of April, Trollip repeated these allegations in an article with Rapport’s Hanlie Retief, we responded by (yet again) saying get your facts straight and table the findings at council. In Retief’s article, Trollip is quoted saying that “julle” took money from the ANC, and that Bobani knew it; I knew it; and that’s why I had a blind spot where Bobani was concerned. Sorry, but that is a blatant lie and tells you who Trollip really is. I also told him that I don’t entertain high-level gossip. It has been ten months, or so, during which an investigation could have been done to either prove or disprove his allegations. Trollip dismally failed in this task. Trollip is said to have mentioned that if you give someone enough rope, they will hang themselves. We agree Cllr Trollip, that is exactly what you have done to yourself. It is for that reason that you don’t know, from what you have said and when you said it, whether you are going backwards of forwards. Trollip is suffering from a bout of sour grapes and he does not accept that he’s no longer an executive mayor. Issued by Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP UDM President
Admin
28 Sep, 2018
Bathabile Dlamini should be shown the door
We have noted that the Constitutional Court has handed down judgement in the former Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini case. The United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation (UDEMWO) has been vindicated. Our longstanding view has been that the minister must face the music and that she should personally be held liable for creating this mess. We therefore welcome the decision that she should pay 20% of the Black Sash and Freedom Under Law’s legal costs. The South African Social Security Agency disaster has caused much damage to, and distress for, the recipients of government grants. As a matter of fact, it would be difficult to calculate the cost of the damage she’s done to the most vulnerable members of our society. It is her incompetence and self-centred attitude that has led her to this point. She will only leave a legacy of self-importance and ineptitude in her former department, which she will only carry over to her current portfolio. Dlamini is arrogant and has no respect for her work nor for the law; as she has demonstrated when she lied with a straight face under oath. The UDEMWO calls upon the National Prosecuting Authority to forge ahead and charge her for perjury. The ruling party is to be blamed for this mess as it continues to put corrupt and selfish individuals in positions of power. President Ramaphosa must show Dlamini the door; and he should do this immediately. This country cannot afford this kind of incompetence and negligence from any minister in any portfolio; Dlamini should go! Issued by: Thandi Nontenja UDEMWO Secretary General
Admin
29 Sep, 2018
To give PIC CEO Dan Matjila a golden handshake is preposterous
We are all aware that there will be a commission of inquiry which shall investigate the mess at the Public Investment Corporation (PIC). Despite the announcement, we have for several months waited with bated breath to hear who will serve on the commission and what the terms of reference will be. We, in today’s Mail and Guardian, read that PIC chief executive officer Dr Daniel Matjila has approached the President with a view to exit through the back door with a golden handshake. This is preposterous and is tantamount to the police giving the get-away car’s key to a bank robber. The United Democratic Movement (UDM) rejects this notion outright. Matjila should be suspended immediately and be made to explain himself to a commission of inquiry. Most importantly, he, and the current board, should face the music and pay the price should they be guilty of wrong-doing. There seems to be scurrying about in the corridors of power to say a quick farewell to Matjila before he spills the beans. It’s not only several prominent families and powerful individuals who might have their hands caught in the cookie jar, but possibly a few political parties. We have certainly heard Zonkizizwe Investments being mentioned, which we all know is an ANC enterprise. Bizarrely, we have even heard how Matjila’s alleged girlfriend benefited from PIC cash. It leaves a bitter taste in the mouth when you chew on the fact that Finance Minister Nene, who once served as PIC board chairperson, now must drive the process of putting a commission together. This might shed some light on why it’s taking so long to get the commission off the ground. I will be interviewed today by Advocate Budlender SC and his team of forensic auditors to give guidance on how the UDM would see this matter pan out. The commission should establish which methods and schemes were used to syphon money from the PIC and make recommendations on how to prevent this kind of crime in future. This is exactly why Matjila should not be allowed the easy way out; he certainly has much explaining to do.
Admin
27 Sep, 2018
UDEMWO: 6-year-old raped in a Dros Restaurant
The United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation (UDEMWO) is shocked and outraged by the recent rape of a 6-year-old girl at a Dros restaurant. This is sickening and too much to swallow. The thought that the culprit went as far as committing his evil act in a public space, where it is thought to be safe, makes us even angrier. This wicked man did not even care that there were loved ones around. This is a clear indication that he does not even care and has no conscience. UDEMWO will be part of picketers outside the court, calling for no bail. Our society does not have a space for such inhumane individuals who do not respect women and children. UDEMWO also calls on parents not to lose sight of their little ones, we are living in an evil society. What we have unfortunately witnessed in the past is that our justice system favours alleged perpetrators. We hope that our justice system will do what is right and lock him up for the rest of his life. Issued by: Ms Thandi Nontenja UDEMWO Secretary General
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