Admin
26 Sep, 2018
Public Protector to investigate allegations of corruption by Min Zweli Mkhize re PIC deals
The United Democratic Movement earlier this year wrote to President Cyril Ramaphosa wherein we revealed possible corruption that involved the Public Investment Corporation (PIC), Zonkizizwe Investments (which we understand to be solely owned by the ANC), some ANC heavy weights and Afric Oil. The alleged broker between the PIC and e.g. VBS Mutual Bank and the various municipalities was Minister Zweli Mkhize. We have been reliably informed that the Public Protector will be investigating the allegations with the affected individuals being subpoenaed to appear before the Public Protector on the 4th of October 2018. All those involved in syphoning money from the PIC are to explain themselves and their conduct; this includes the people who brokered any suspicious deals with the PIC. We call on the Public Protector to leave no stone unturned in teasing out who was involved and to what extent the allegations are true. Issued by: Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP UDM President
Admin
21 Sep, 2018
UDM KwaZulu-Natal’s comments on the Premier’s tabling of the Moerane Commission’s report
The United Democratic Movement (UDM) in KwaZulu-Natal welcomes the Premier’s tabling of the Moerane Commission’s report in the legislature, as well as his comments thereon. The UDM is however concerned that the Premier made no mention of, nor did he emphasise one of the Commission’s terms of reference, which was to; “Ensure the successful investigation and prosecution of perpetrators”. Given that we have not seen the report, we wonder if this is an innocent omission on the part of the Premier or is there just no recommendation whatsoever by the Commission? If that is the case, the UDM in KwaZulu-Natal is of the view that the Commission did a shoddy job. People lost their lives and there must be consequences. Issued by: Mr Boysey Gumede Interim Provincial Secretary UDM in KwaZulu-Natal
Admin
18 Sep, 2018
UDM KwaZulu-Natal Interim Provincial Executive Committee appointed
United Democratic Movement (UDM) representatives from all seven regions in KwaZulu-Natal met on Saturday, 15 September 2018 to, amongst others, discuss the future of the UDM in the province and to appoint an Interim Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) that will drive the party’s programmes leading up to the 2019 National and Provincial. The below persons shall take the lead until a provincial congress can be held after which officially elected provincial office bearers can take over the reins. Position Name Region Chairperson Sipho Mbatha eThekwini Deputy Chairperson Sboniso Mabika uMkhanyakude Secretary Boysey Gumede Umzinyathi Deputy Secretary Zukiswa Thanjkwayo Amajuba Treasurer Philani Dlamini uMgungundlovu Organiser Temba Mbatha Ilembe Financial Planner and Fundraiser Nkosi Dlamini uMgungundlovu Five Additional Members Dumisani Nkosi uThukela Dih Msomi eThekwini Kholiswa Madubela uMkhanyakude Mhlengi Mbatha Umzinyathi Thobile Zulu iLembe As we get closer to the 2019 elections, we wish our colleagues well with their future work in building the UDM in KwaZulu-Natal. Issued by: Mr Bongani Msomi UDM Secretary General
Admin
16 Sep, 2018
Harassment of PIC whistle blowers
In reference to an article published on Fin24 (https://www.fin24.com/Economy/pic-moves-to-discipline-another-executive-20180914?isapp=true) the United Democratic Movement (UDM) condemns what can only be called permitted harassment of whistle blowers at the Public Investment Corporation (PIC). One is suspicious at government i.e. Minister Nene and President Ramaphosa’s handling of the matter of instituting the commission of inquiry into the PIC. To make matters worse the terms of reference has not yet been published, nor have the commissioners been appointed. Something is very wrong here; it does seem as if government is pulling all the stops to delay the process. Only they will know the reason. The UDM has persisted in calling for Dr Dan Matjila, PIC’s chief executive officer, to be suspended because of the possible influence he might bear at the PIC until the commission kicks off its work. The UDM calls on government to institute a total moratorium on disciplinary processes at the PIC until the commission’s work is done and its findings are made public. Government is playing a game that could have dire consequences for the Government Employees Pension Fund. Issued by: Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP UDM President
Admin
14 Sep, 2018
Nelson Mandela Bay: DA’s Trollip allegedly interfered with an internal audit to protect Mettler and Olver. UDM hands over a dossier with information to Auditor General
Dear Mr Makwetu Alleged corruption to the tune of R21.8 million irregular and wasteful expenditure involving Mohlaleng Media and a seeming cover-up in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro 1. The above matter has reference and has been widely reported on in the media. 2. The United Democratic Movement (UDM) wishes to make you aware of claims of serious corruption in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality (NMB Metro) and the seeming cover-up by the NMB Metro’s former executive mayor Mr Athol Trollip of the Democratic Alliance (DA) and city manager Mr Johann Mettler. 3. It pertains to the alleged corruption involving a company called Mohlaleng Media, to the tune of R21,8 million which was of course at the ratepayers’ expense. 4. To provide background, I refer you to an article posted on Independent Online (IOL) dated 7 September 2016 (https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/eastern-cape/trollip-to-freeze-contract-with-joburg-media-company-2065623) wherein it is reported that Mr Trollip stated his intention to have the contract (see item 6.1.2) with Mohlaleng Media frozen. He was quoted saying: “This administration will not tolerate irregular, wasteful or unnecessary expenditure, in any form, and any contract that is alleged to have facilitated any expenditure of this nature will be fully investigated and scrutinised”. I also refer you to an article in Herald Live dated 24 May 2018 (https://www.heraldlive.co.za/news/politics/2018-05-24-just-in–bobani-launches-scathing-attack-against-city-boss/) wherein it was reported that Mr Trollip ‘…said the Mohlaleng matter has been handed over to the investigation authorities.” 5. The UDM has in its possession a whistle-blower’s dossier that details the period during which the alleged corrupt activities took place, together with the attending evidence. According to the information contained in the dossier, Mr Johann Mettler played a pivotal role in the suspected corruption which was allegedly covered-up by Mr Trollip. 6. The dossier speaks in detail, and gives timelines, of an internal forensic audit that started in September 2016, which unveiled allegations, amongst others, that: 6.1. Pre-2016 Municipal Elections: 6.1.1. Services rendered by some printing companies, during the previous term of council, included party political work (see right). During the internal forensic audit, Mr Mettler was confronted with the details of the irregular print jobs, but he failed to act thus neglecting to perform his fiduciary duties. 6.1.2. Mr Mettler signed an “addendum” to a non-existing contract with a company called Mohlaleng Media. This was deemed to be irregular and again Mr Mettler failed to perform his fiduciary duties. 6.1.3. Dr Crispian Olver the author of the book “How to Steal a City: The Battle for Nelson Mandela Bay” wanted to conduct a pre-election survey that would cost the ratepayers R11 million. Mr Mettler was aware of this, but did not disclose it to the internal audit, which was deemed an impairment of the internal investigation. Note: According to the dossier, Dr Olver had instigated the initial appointment of Mr Mettler as city manager. 6.1.4. Dr Olver was also responsible for the appointment of a legal firm, because of a mutual association during their “activism days” which flouted SCM practices with only limited involvement of the legal services directorate. Mr Mettler was/is still to account for such an irregular appointment. 6.1.5. Two “political appointments” were made in former mayor Danny Jordaan’s office, the cost of which would be carried by the aforementioned Mohlaleng Media, thus the rate payer. The dossier states that this was done by Dr Olver and Mr Mettler, knowing full well that these were “political appointments”. 6.2. Post-2016 Municipal Elections: 6.2.1. Mr Trollip and Mr Mettler had interfered with and used various delaying tactics to derail the internal forensic investigation into what the dossier asserts are unlawful contracts with Mohlaleng Media. According to the whistle-blower, the internal forensic unit asked Mr Mettler a number of pointed questions in their investigation of the Mohlaleng deal. He however, knowing full well that he was a subject of the investigation, wrote a missive to the forensic unit instructing it to cease its investigation. 6.2.2. Several of the senior internal auditors and other staff members have been suspended and/fired for what appears to be spurious, but politically convenient, reasons. It is in fact alleged that these staff members were gotten rid of, precisely because of their knowledge of the corruption. 6.2.3. When the time came to appoint a new city manager, Mr Trollip had been aware of Mr Mettler’s alleged role in the suspected corruption involving Mohlaleng Media; yet he did not disclose this information at council. Mr Trollip persisted in protecting Mr Mettler and continued to champion his appointed as city manager, thus sweeping this material information under the carpet. If there is merit in any of the allegations, it seems as if there is a major cover-up by the former Trollip administration. 7. Once the coalition government took over after the 2016 municipal elections, the UDM hoped that any and all corruption would be exposed and rooted out. Little did we know that our and the voters’ faith in the election promises made by the DA and Mr Trollip was misplaced. As the record will attest, the UDM and our Cllr Bobani did our level best, over the years and in particular since the 2016 elections, to expose corruption in the NMB Metro but we were blocked and vilified at every turn. 8. Notwithstanding Mr Trollip’s stated intentions i.e. freezing the Mohlaleng Media’s [non-existing] contract and his comment that the matter was handed over to the “investigation authorities we still wonder who these mysterious “investigation authorities” are/were. 8.1. We however heard that, Mr Trollip handed over the investigation, not to the municipality’s internal watchdog, but to an outside outfit of his own choosing, which will naturally cost the municipality a lot of money. Mr Trollip has failed to take the council, and indeed the citizens of the NMB Metro, into confidence to report on any progress made in the investigation. In fact, his comments in the media regarding the aforementioned investigation are extremely vague and without substance. 9. We herewith hand over this dossier, which tells a tale of a web of lies and suggest that your office establish the veracity of the whistle-blower’s claims, so that we can get to the bottom of this nest of alleged corruption and to act in the interest of the NMB Metro’s people. 10. Sir, it is our considered view that it would be vital to compare: • the report of the firm that Mr Trollip appointed to investigate the matter; • that of the NMB Metro’s internal audit team and • any investigation you would undertake to test the veracity of the whistle-blower’s claims and to establish whether the proverbial books have been cooked. The claim that Mr Trollip and Mr Mettler covered up the corruption should specifically be tested. 11. Finally, irrespective of whom would be found guilty or innocent, the UDM asks that the abovementioned claims to be thoroughly investigated. We believe that the innocent should be exonerated and that the guilty should, without fear nor favour, be made to answer for their misdeeds and that the necessary actions are taken against them. Yours sincerely Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP President of the United Democratic Movement CC: Mr Fikile Xasa, Eastern Cape MEC of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Cllr Mongameli Bobani, Executive Mayor of the NMB Metropolitan Municipal Council, Cllr Buyelwa Mafaya, Speaker of the NMB Metropolitan Municipal Council.
Admin
11 Sep, 2018
UDEMWO: The SA police is not serious about stopping the kidnapping and murder of women and children
The United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation (UDEMWO) is concerned that the South African Police Services do not appear to take kidnapping reports seriously. One only has to open a newspaper to read about the kidnapping and murder of women and children. Our communities are plagued by this scourge and those that are tasked to ensure our safety and security are failing dismally. Not long ago, live footage showed how 21 year-old student Charmaine Erick was almost kidnapped just in front of her house in Rembrandt Park, Johannesburg. We are grateful that she managed to escape, but how many children must fall victim before safety and security authorities realise that the country is in crisis? How long must we wait before this issue is addressed? It is getting clearer that issues relating to women and children are not taken seriously. What is even more disappointing is that Minister of Women Bathabile Dlamini is nowhere to be seen. It is disappointing and distressing that the ruling government continues to elect self-centred and inept individuals to high positions. UDEMWO together with many people throughout the country are panicked and we call upon Minister of Police Bheki Cele to, together with all stakeholders, act swiftly to stop this nightmare.
Admin
10 Sep, 2018
UDMYV: President Ramaphosa must take the nation into confidence: how will the technical recession be dealt with?
The United Democratic Movement Youth Vanguard (UDM Youth Vanguard) is concerned that, since the announcement broke through the media that South Africa is in a technical recession, the country has not heard from President Cyril Ramaphosa. The UDM Youth Vanguard would like to know from the President, what does this technical recession mean for the youth and the poorest of the poor. The fuel price keeps on increasing, food prices are ever on the rise and unemployment is spiralling out of control, leaving the poor and the youth marginalised by means of affordability and they are left to starve. The young people of South Africa call on the President to take the nation into confidence and tell us what will be done to tackle the situation. We need decisive leadership and political will from the President to act and protect South Africans, but in particular the youth and the poor. Mr Yongama Zigebe Gauteng Provincial Secretary UDM Youth Vanguard Udmyvgp.secretary@udm.org.za Mr Andile Jabavu Gauteng Provincial Chairperson UDM Youth Vanguard udmyvgp.chairperson@udm.org.za
Admin
07 Sep, 2018
It is disturbing to learn that government buildings in the City of Johannesburg are not safe
The United Democratic Movement (UDM) is appalled and disturbed by the news that a number of government buildings in the City of Johannesburg in particular are not safe. This is witnessed by the fire that has destroyed one of these buildings two days ago which is also houses The Bank of Lisbon in the CBD. What was also shocking is to hear the Premier of Gauteng admitting that his government is aware of this problem that has led to death of the three fire fighters who were fighting the blazes that erupted. The UDM is sending its deep felt condolences to the families and colleagues of these Fire Fighters who lost their lives in their call of duty. The lives that were lost could have been prevented if the provincial government did listen to the public servants and unions who have raised their concerns about the lack of safety in these buildings. As we speak, buildings in the same situation are still being occupied by state departments and it is still business as usual. The UDM has been calling the government for some time to pay attention hazardous and abandon buildings in the city to either repair or destroy them as they exacerbate other problems like crime and harbour illegal immigrants. Our calls as always fell on deaf ears. The UDM is, therefore, calling for thorough investigation to the cause of the fire. Those who will be found to have neglected their duty in ensuring that these buildings are in condition and safe, must be brought to book.
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