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29 Oct, 2025
R3.5 trillion at risk: the Public Investment Corporation’s governance collapse demands action
Mr MC Ramaphosa President of the Republic of South Africa Private Bag X1000 Pretoria 0001 and Mr Songezo Zibi, MP Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts PO Box 15 Cape Town 8000 Dear Mister President and Chairperson Zibi R3.5 trillion at risk: the Public Investment Corporation’s governance collapse demands action 1. I had the privilege of attending the extended Cabinet Lekgotla at the end of September 2025, where you, Mr President, emphasised that the fight against corruption and the looting of state resources would be a top priority for the Government of National Unity. You further noted that the current climate of corruption and mismanagement has severely undermined investor confidence, and that this situation must be decisively addressed. 2. The Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of Impropriety at the Public Investment Corporation (PIC) (‘the Mpati Commission’) was established by you, Mr President, in October 2018 to investigate allegations of corruption, maladministration, and governance failures at the PIC, Africa’s largest asset manager, overseeing pension and social funds exceeding R2 trillion at the time (now over R3.5 trillion). 3. Amongst others, the Mpati Commission in 2020 exposed the PIC as a politically captured institution plagued by poor governance, weak accountability, and corruption, particularly within its unlisted investment portfolio (Isibaya Fund). Its recommendations aimed to restore transparency and fiduciary responsibility, but implementation has been slow and inconsistent. 4. Instead, what the United Democratic Movement (UDM) presents hereunder is a stark picture of continued looting, mismanagement, and administrative bungling from top to bottom at the PIC and its Isibaya Fund since the conclusion of the Mpati Commission, a situation of enormous proportions that rivals the State Capture scandal itself. This does not require another commission of inquiry. Rather, the UDM sets out below a series of concrete proposals for decisive action to stop the rot in its tracks through innovative solutions, strengthened parliamentary oversight, and firm law enforcement intervention. 5. The Lanseria Airport Holdings case 5.1. This presents what appears to be brazen looting of PIC funds, arguably worse than anything uncovered by the Mpati Commission. Around 2013, Harith General Partners, a group of BEE partners, and the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF) invested in Lanseria Airport. The BEE partner, Acapulco Trade and Invest, was fully funded by the PIC with a loan of about R350 million, to be repaid from future dividends. More than a decade later, the loan remains unpaid and has ballooned to over R600 million, leaving the investment deeply underwater. Instead of writing it off, the PIC and its BEE partner conjured a revaluation, declaring the asset suddenly worth R1 billion. 5.2. The PIC then took over the BEE partner’s shares as security and astonishingly concluded that it now owed the BEE partner R400 million. In other words, a failed investment was transformed on paper into a profit for the debtor, creating R400 million of value out of thin air. From a debt of R600 million with no repayment capacity, the BEE partner miraculously walked away with a R400 million windfall (the BEE shareholders got their share this month and they are allegedly fighting over the loot). This may be one of the most blatant acts of looting in PIC history, rivalling the excesses of the Dr Dan Matjila era. 5.3. To make matters worse, the GEPF itself already holds an impaired stake in Lanseria Holdings. This means the PIC will either have to immediately write off the shares it took over or get the GEPF to revalue the shares to avoid scrutiny. You cannot hold same shares on the same balance sheet at different valuations. 6. The “New Karan Beef” and FlySafair deals 6.1. In 2019, the PIC was forced to halt its planned investment in Karan Beef after a whistleblower exposed alleged price inflation that pushed the valuation to R5.2 billion. Despite prior approval, the deal was never implemented following the Mpati Commission’s intervention. 6.2. Now, a similar pattern appears to be emerging with FlySafair. The airline is seeking local investors after regulatory rulings on ownership, and it is alleged that a consortium is attempting to acquire it with PIC funding at an inflated valuation of about R7.9 billion; nearly double the estimated fair value. If executed, the transaction could result in massive value destruction, mirroring what would have happened with Karan Beef. 6.3. While FlySafair is a strong airline, it is certainly not worth more than R3.9 billion. The airline industry remains highly volatile, and history shows that even leading carriers can collapse within years. Yet again, just as in the Lanseria Airport and other controversial transactions, Harith General Partners (linked to Mr Tshepo Mahloele) appears to be involved. This deal is currently being hotly debated within the financial services sector. No approvals yet. Just like Karan Beef, there is a push to extract billions from the PIC, and as always write-offs will follow soon afterwards. 7. The latest scandals in the public domain 7.1. The latest developments at the PIC reveal a deepening power struggle within the institution, exposing how political factionalism continues to undermine its governance. 7.2. The suspension of Chief Investment Officer Kabelo Rikhotso in early October 2025, officially framed as part of a misconduct investigation, has reportedly triggered internal tensions between rival camps competing for control of the corporation’s investment machinery . According to insider accounts, the battle is not merely administrative but linked to political influence over access to capital and deal-flow. The episode underscores a worrying pattern: instead of operating as an independent and professionally managed custodian of more than R3.5 trillion in public servants’ pension assets, the PIC has again become a stage for self enrichment. This climate of uncertainty and factional interference threatens both investor confidence and the fiduciary security of millions of pensioners who depend on the integrity of the institution. 7.3. In July 2025, the Thabiso Moshikara scandal reignited concerns about governance at the PIC. Moshikara, acting head of the PIC’s Unlisted Investments division, was accused of demanding a R3 million bribe from businessman Ralebala Mampeule, whose company Levoca 804 had received R693 million in PIC funding to buy a stake in Metrofibre Network. Mr Mampeule claimed that after the investment soured, Mr Moshikara allegedly threatened to cut off funding unless he paid the bribe, leading to a criminal investigation for extortion and Mr Moshikara’s suspension in October 2025. The case, which erupted in the same period as other senior-level suspensions, has deepened divisions within the PIC and underscores how the Isibaya Fund, long criticised by the Mpati Commission for weak oversight and political interference, remains a focal point of instability in an institution managing over R3.5 trillion in public funds. 8. Investment losses and governance problems: the Daybreak Foods case 8.1. Daybreak Foods, once presented as a flagship black-empowerment investment, has become one of the most visible symbols of the PIC’s governance and oversight failures. Despite repeated warnings from the Mpati Commission about weaknesses in the unlisted portfolio, the PIC has continued to pour money into the struggling poultry company. In July 2025, the PIC injected a further R150 million into Daybreak, bringing its total exposure this year to about R400 million and total investment since 2015 to approximately R1.7 billion. The company entered business rescue in May 2025, following years of losses, poor governance, and operational mismanagement. The PIC’s decision to provide additional funding to a failing enterprise under these circumstances underscores the absence of effective oversight, proper risk assessment, and consequence management within its unlisted investments. 8.2. Observers note that, while the PIC claims to have implemented the Mpati Commission’s recommendations, its continued support of non-performing and poorly governed entities such as Daybreak Foods demonstrates that the underlying accountability mechanisms remain weak, opaque, and easily influenced. 9. Even after the Mpati Commission, corruption within the PIC appears deeply entrenched. The institution is increasingly viewed as ground zero for corruption in South Africa, with billions of rand lost through reckless investments and outright misconduct. The PIC manages over R3.5 trillion in pension funds on behalf of public servants, yet the scale of governance and oversight remains alarmingly weak. 10. The current PIC board appears unfit for purpose 10.1. Compared to boards of other major financial-sector entities, including even struggling state-owned enterprises like Eskom, the contrast is stark. It is deeply concerning that a fund managing R3.5 trillion in pensioners’ savings operates under such a fragile governance structure. This persistent instability raises serious questions: is it the result of oversight failures, or a deliberate design to enable political capture rather than protect public assets? 10.2. It is alleged that the board is struggling to constitute key subcommittees, such as the audit committee, due to a lack of people with the minimum required qualifications, i.e. chartered accountant expertise. 10.3. Furthermore, the board lacks sufficient investment experience to form a credible investment committee. At present, there is reportedly no one with appropriate investment credentials serving on the board. Of particular concern is the Minister of Finance’s recent appointment of the wrong individual, one Mr Maseko, to the board. This bizarre error raises further questions: was it a genuine mistake, or was the Minister misled into making the appointment? Either scenario reflects poorly on the integrity and diligence of the appointment process. 11. Involvement of the banks 11.1. Some of the top South African banks have been involved in advising the PIC to participate in many transactions that exposes the PIC to reckless investment dealing, while at the same time participating in the more secured portion of the deals. These top banks need to be held accountable for their role in value destruction. They hide behind the so-called Chinese Walls. There is one bank that has been more prominent in the deals involving the PIC/GEPF. Both as an advisor and a participant in the more secured portion. 12. Investigation into the government pensions Regarding the matter of the former SATBVC pensioners, which I raised during the State of the Nation Address debate on 14 February 2023, I wish to reiterate my concern that no progress has been made. At the time, you, Mr President, directed the Minister of Finance, Mr Enoch Godongwana, to establish a team to investigate the pension entitlements of civil servants from the former SATBVC states. You further tasked the Deputy President, as head of the task team on the benefits of military veterans, to provide you with a report on this matter. To date, however, no such report has been produced, and the affected pensioners continue to wait in uncertainty. 13. The Isibaya Fund remains the epicentre of corruption within the PIC. Despite the Mpati Commission’s warnings, little has changed. This unlisted investment portfolio continues to operate with weak oversight, opaque decision-making, and politically connected deal flows. It functions as a pot of money selectively accessed by a privileged few, often without proper risk assessment, leaving the PIC exposed to massive losses. The loss ratios are unacceptable by any commercial or development finance standard. 14. The credit loss ratios of over 39% is purely criminal, no credible institution will allow such level of brazen looting in the name of empowerment. Ultimately, the State and South African public are the real losers given that PIC is guaranteed by the National Treasury. The scale of looting rivals the Gupta’s State Capture, the amount at risk is over R170 billion. The sophistication of the financial engineering and contracts are used to hide the brazen looting. Many people hardly understand deal structuring. South Africa needs to know that something worse than the State Capture continues to thrive at the PIC. 15. Given these persistent failures, it is time to ask difficult questions: Why should the Isibaya Fund remain under the PIC’s control at all? A more sensible approach would be to transfer its developmental and impact investment mandate to institutions better equipped for that purpose, such as the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) or the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), where project evaluation, governance, and sectoral expertise are stronger. The PIC’s role could then be limited to allocating funds under DBSA or IDC supervision, or outsourcing mandates to independent professional managers with clear risk controls and accountability mechanisms. The looting will continue as long as the fund remains under the PIC. The instability will never stop; and no commission can fix that. 16. Isibaya Fund at R175 billion (at 5% of total AUM 3.5 trillion) can be transformative for South Africa if applied prudently for development purpose as defined in the mandate. Currently the fund is yielding negative returns. Based on the above number and high credit loss ratios, up to R70 billion is provided for ultimate write offs; clear wastage, with minimal development impact except narrow enrichment of a select few. 17. Working at Isibaya or the PIC has, regrettably, become increasingly viewed as career suicide. What should have been an exceptional training ground for Black investment talent, a place to hone technical, ethical, and leadership capabilities, has instead become a graveyard for many promising careers. It is virtually impossible to attract top talent with the reputation that the Fund has; the inability to attract top talent makes it difficult to do good investments. 18. The United Democratic Movement herewith recommends that: 18.1. SCOPA convenes urgent public hearings with the PIC Board, the Chief Executive Officer, and the Government Employees Pension Fund to account for ongoing governance failures, ethical breaches, and poor investment decisions. 18.2. The Auditor-General and the Special Investigating Unit to conduct a forensic audit of the Isibaya Fund and the Unlisted Investments Division, focusing on politically connected deals, loss-making projects, and compliance with the Mpati Commission’s recommendations. 18.3. National Treasury to review the composition, competence, and independence of the current PIC Board, with a view to strengthening governance and reducing political interference. 18.4. The Minister of Finance to present to Parliament a status report on the implementation of the Mpati Commission’s findings and recommendations, indicating which reforms have been completed, delayed, or abandoned. 18.5. The Minister of Finance commission a feasibility study on the transfer of the PIC’s developmental and impact investment mandate to institutions such as the DBSA or the IDC and report the findings to Parliament within a defined timeframe. 18.6. All deals under the Isibaya Fund should be reported on their website on a quarterly basis, showing the full details of the transaction, with no exception. Confidentiality cannot trump the transparency required for public funds. Current disclosure is not sufficient at all. Full amount disbursed should be shown, valuations, beneficiaries, impairments, original investment amount and all settlements. Parties not comfortable with disclosure should seek funding from commercial banks. 18.7. Dealmakers at the PIC/Isibaya Fund should be paid based on economic return performance, not disbursement of funds. Once funds are disbursed, the dealmakers do not have “skin in the game”. That should stop. With current return profile (i.e. negative returns), no bonuses should be paid irrespective of funds disbursed, just like in any commercial fund. 18.8. It is imperative that the Isibaya Fund be placed under immediate moratorium to facilitate its transition to a more credible and professionally managed platform, such as the DBSA, the IDC, or an independent third-party investment manager with robust governance frameworks and proven expertise. This decisive action will help stabilise the PIC by eliminating avenues for exploitative and politically motivated investments. 19. The United Democratic Movement believes that the protection of public pension funds is a matter of national importance. Intervention is essential to ensure that the PIC is not used as a vehicle for political patronage and that the R3 trillion in assets it holds are managed with the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and accountability. Yours sincerely Deputy Minister Bantu Holomisa, MP President of the United Democratic Movement Copied to: • Mr Enoch Godongwana, MP - Minister of Finance • Dr David Masondo, MP - Deputy Minister of Finance and Chairperson of the Board of the Public Investment Corporation • Ms Thoko Didiza, MP - Speaker of the National Assembly of South Africa • Mr Patrick Dlamini - Chief Executive Officer, Public Investment Corporation • Mr Musa Mabesa - Principal Executive Officer, Government Employees Pension Fund • Ms Tsakani Maluleke - Auditor-General of South Africa • Adv Andy Mothibi - Head of the Special Investigating Unit
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23 Oct, 2025
On the eve of United Nations Day, UDM urges Israel and Palestine to return to the path of peace
Statement by Nqabayomzi Kwankwa, MP, UDM Deputy President and Leader in Parliament As the world prepares to mark United Nations Day tomorrow, the United Democratic Movement (UDM) reflects on the founding vision of the United Nations: a world governed by peace, justice and respect for human dignity. The UN was established in 1945 to prevent the horrors of war and to create a framework for collective security, equality and cooperation among nations. This year’s observance comes at a time when the principles on which the UN was built are being tested. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) reaffirmed that Israel, as an occupying power, has a binding legal duty to protect the rights of the Palestinian people and to allow humanitarian aid to reach civilians in need. The Court found that Israel has failed to meet these obligations and ordered it to facilitate the work of UN agencies and other impartial organisations providing relief in Gaza. For South Africa, this judgment carries deep significance. It was our nation that brought the case before the ICJ, guided by the belief that the rule of law must apply equally to all nations. In doing so, South Africa demonstrated that moral leadership and courage are not measured by power, but by principle. The United Nations’ Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel has confirmed that acts committed in Gaza amount to genocide as defined under the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. The Commission found evidence of systematic attacks on civilians, the destruction of essential infrastructure, the denial of humanitarian access and the expression of genocidal intent by state officials. These are not political claims; they are the findings of a UN mandated body, and they demand accountability. At the same time, the UDM believes that accountability must be matched by diplomacy. The tragedy in Gaza will not end through arms alone. The UDM calls on Israel and Palestine to find each other at the negotiation table, to engage sincerely and inclusively under international mediation, and to pursue a permanent peace that recognises the rights, security and dignity of both peoples. Peace without justice cannot last, but justice without dialogue cannot begin. The UDM believes that these developments renew the global relevance of the United Nations and the urgent need for multilateral cooperation. The UN remains the only legitimate forum where justice can be pursued collectively and where the weak can stand equal before the law with the powerful. However, the credibility of this system depends on the willingness of member states to respect its institutions and to implement its rulings in good faith. On the eve of United Nations Day, South Africa must reaffirm its commitment to the ideals that inspired our own liberation. Our nation must continue to champion human rights, international justice and solidarity with oppressed peoples everywhere. The promise of the United Nations will only be fulfilled when the world measures peace not by silence between wars, but by justice among nations.
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23 Oct, 2025
Gambling away the future: UDM demands action on online betting and NSFAS misuse
Statement by Zandile Phiri, Acting Secretary General of the United Democratic Movement South Africa is witnessing a moral and social emergency. Gambling has become a trillion-rand industry feeding on the hopes of the poor, the unemployed and the young. According to the National Gambling Board, more than R1.5 trillion was wagered in the 2024/25 financial year, a staggering 45 percent increase from the previous year. What was once a leisure pastime has now become a mechanism of mass economic extraction that drains households, deepens poverty, and destroys families. The United Democratic Movement (UDM) is alarmed by the evidence that gambling is no longer limited to casinos or horse racing. The proliferation of online betting platforms, aggressive advertising, and the use of celebrities and social media influencers have normalised gambling across society. For millions of South Africans, it has become an illusion of escape in a reality of joblessness, debt, and despair. Clinical experts warn that gambling addiction is rising sharply, driven by smartphone access and constant exposure to digital marketing. As people chase losses, they borrow, steal, or beg to sustain the habit. These are the symptoms of a society where the line between hope and exploitation has been erased. The UDM is particularly disturbed by reports that students are gambling with their National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) allowances. Young South Africans entrusted with public funds meant for food, accommodation and study materials are using these allowances to bet online. This is not a story about moral weakness. It is a story about desperation, systemic neglect, and an absence of accountability from institutions that should protect them. Universities and NSFAS cannot continue to look away while students are being consumed by the very system meant to lift them out of poverty. Government’s failure to regulate online gambling, curb advertising excesses, and enforce existing laws has turned this crisis into a national tragedy. The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, the National Gambling Board, and the National Gambling Policy Council must act immediately to: 1. Regulate online gambling platforms and close legal loopholes exploited by unlicensed operators. 2. Restrict advertising and influencer marketing, especially content that glamorises gambling or targets youth. 3. Introduce responsible gambling education at tertiary institutions and within communities. 4. Ensure that NSFAS and universities implement monitoring systems to prevent misuse of allowances and support students who fall into addiction. 5. Strengthen and better resource the national gambling helpline and expand access to counselling and rehabilitation services, ensuring that support reaches schools, universities, and communities most affected by addiction.. The UDM calls for the issue of gambling and its devastating social and economic consequences to be formally placed on the agenda of the National Dialogue. This matter cannot remain at the periphery while it destroys lives and undermines social stability. The National Dialogue must confront how gambling, poverty, and inequality intersect, and develop coordinated solutions that protect vulnerable citizens, especially young people and low-income families. South Africa cannot claim to build a just and equal society while it profits from the despair of its own people. The UDM calls for urgent government action, stronger laws, and accountability from every institution that has allowed this exploitation to flourish.
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22 Oct, 2025
Johannesburg cannot live under the gun: UDM demands urgent action on gang violence
Statement by Yongama Zigebe, Councillor in the City of Johannesburg for the United Democratic Movement and Chairperson of the S79 Committee on Gender, Youth and People with Disabilities The United Democratic Movement in the City Johannesburg is outraged by the surge of gun violence that continues to claim innocent lives and sow fear in our communities. Over the past three months, Johannesburg has been gripped by a wave of shootings that have turned our townships and suburbs into war zones. Families are burying loved ones, children are dying in crossfire, and the sound of gunfire has become an unbearable soundtrack of daily life. The latest tragedy in Westbury, where two teenagers were killed and four others injured in a suspected gang related shooting, exposes the depth of our crisis. In Alexandra, a community that already bears the scars of poverty and inequality, gunfire has become routine. From the brutal killing of community leader and businessman Vincent Ndima to the shooting of community guardian Zandile Mojapelo and the murder of patrollers who volunteered to protect their neighbours, Alexandra has become a mirror reflecting the broader decay of safety across Johannesburg. These are not isolated incidents. They are the visible wounds of a system that has lost control over illegal firearms, failed to dismantle gangs, and neglected to restore community confidence in law enforcement. Johannesburg residents are living in fear because the state has failed to protect them. This must end now. The UDM in the City Johannesburg also notes with grave concern the National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola’s admission that police have been attacked by the very communities they are meant to protect. This breakdown of trust between law enforcement and residents reveals a deeper crisis of legitimacy and accountability. When communities no longer believe that reporting criminals will lead to justice, criminal syndicates gain strength while honest citizens retreat in fear. It is clear that policing alone cannot solve this epidemic. Without trust, intelligence sharing and visible integrity from officers on the ground, enforcement efforts will continue to fall short. The fight against guns and gangs must therefore begin with rebuilding confidence between the police and the people. Recent remarks by National Police Commissioner have confirmed what communities have long feared, that Johannesburg’s gang crisis now involves the recruitment of children as young as thirteen. This revelation is horrifying and underscores the complete collapse of prevention and early warning systems that should protect young people from being drawn into crime. It is unacceptable that our schools have become recruiting grounds and our streets a battlefield for minors doing the bidding of adult gangsters. The UDM in the City Johannesburg calls for urgent intervention from the Departments of Basic Education, Social Development and Police to disrupt this pipeline of child recruitment and to introduce community-based rehabilitation programmes that can save these children from a lifetime of violence and incarceration. The UDM in the City Johannesburg calls upon the Acting Minister of Police to treat Johannesburg’s gun violence epidemic as a national emergency. The time for excuses has passed. We expect an intensified anti-gang and firearm recovery operation that focuses on hotspots such as Westbury, Alexandra, Eldorado Park and Hillbrow. Police visibility must increase, community policing must be revived, and coordination between SAPS, Metro Police and Crime Intelligence must be restored. The City of Johannesburg’s Public Safety Department must strengthen patrols, fix broken streetlights and install CCTV cameras in high-risk areas. Law enforcement cannot win this war alone. The Department of Social Development must mobilise youth rehabilitation and anti-substance abuse programmes that steer young people away from criminal networks. Parliament and the Gauteng Provincial Legislature must hold law enforcement agencies accountable for their failure to regulate firearms and combat gun trafficking. The UDM in the City Johannesburg calls on the people of our city to rise together. Our safety is our collective responsibility. We cannot be silent while criminals dictate how we live. Communities must reclaim their streets, report criminals and stand united against fear. The time has come to restore dignity, to protect our children and to defend the right to life that our Constitution guarantees. This is not just about policing, it is about leadership, justice and the soul of our city. The UDM in the City Johannesburg will not look away while our city bleeds. We will hold those in power accountable, insist on real policing reform and work tirelessly to rebuild a city where safety and dignity belong to every resident.
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22 Oct, 2025
UDM says Mayor Mchunu’s excuses insult the people of uMzinyathi: where is the water?
Statement by Remington Mazibuko, Councillor in the Inkosi Mtubatuba Local Municipality and UDM KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Chairperson The United Democratic Movement (UDM) in KwaZulu-Natal notes with deep concern the recent comments by uMzinyathi District Mayor Thembisile Mchunu, who has admitted that the municipality lacks the technical skills and resources to maintain its collapsing water infrastructure. These excuses come six years after the UDM first exposed corruption and maladministration in uMzinyathi, and two years after the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) confirmed that the district violated the Msinga community’s right to water under Section 27(1)(b) of the Constitution. The UDM in KwaZulu-Natal lodged the original complaint with the SAHRC in 2019 on behalf of the Msinga community, under the leadership of the then UDM KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Secretary, Mr Boysey Gumede. That complaint laid the groundwork for the Commission’s 2023 Final Report, which found that uMzinyathi’s failures stem from poor management, lack of planning, and corruption, not water scarcity. The SAHRC’s 2024 follow-up visits reiterated those findings and urged urgent implementation of the recommendations. Just last week, CoGTA Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa acknowledged that uMzinyathi had incurred R1.4 billion in irregular expenditure, calling it “a lost opportunity.” He pledged that his department would conduct skills audits and strengthen capacity. The UDM welcomes this admission but reminds the Minister that words alone will not fill a water drum. The people of Msinga, Nquthu, Endumeni and Umvoti have heard these promises before. Meanwhile, Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina continues to tout the progress of large-scale projects such as the Lower uMkhomazi Water Scheme while turning a blind eye to municipalities that have failed for years to deliver basic services. National leadership cannot boast about megaprojects while households in KwaZulu-Natal still rely on rivers and tankers for their daily water. The UDM in KwaZulu-Natal demands that: 1. Mayor Mchunu and the uMzinyathi District Council immediately table a public implementation plan for the SAHRC’s recommendations, with clear timelines and funding commitments. 2. The Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs invoke Section 139 should the municipality fail to act within 60 days. 3. The Department of Water and Sanitation and National Treasury provide written updates to the SAHRC on corrective action taken since 2023. The UDM in KwaZulu-Natal will continue to monitor this matter closely to ensure that the SAHRC’s findings are implemented and that accountability follows where corruption and incompetence have stolen people’s right to water.
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21 Oct, 2025
Call for calm and no protest action at Milnerton High tomorrow
Statement by Nqabayomzi Kwankwa, MP, UDM Deputy President and Leader in Parliament The United Democratic Movement (UDM) is aware of calls circulating for protest action at Milnerton High School tomorrow, following the assault of ten Grade 10 learners during an alleged initiation ritual. The UDM does not support the call for protest action at the school tomorrow. Such action would only disrupt the learning environment and risk inflaming tensions at a time when constructive engagement is yielding results. Mr Nqabayomzi Kwankwa has met with the parents of the affected learners, who expressed appreciation for the support extended to their children and for the constructive manner in which the matter is being handled. They have appealed for calm and for all actions to remain peaceful and respectful of the ongoing processes. The UDM notes and welcomes the announcement by the Milnerton High School, that the School Governing Body has met and approved the precautionary suspension of eight learners. This step was taken to ensure a fair and transparent process while maintaining a safe and conducive learning environment for all learners. The UDM commends this responsible action, which demonstrates that the matter is being dealt with seriously and in accordance with due process. The UDM calls on all concerned parties to act with patience and responsibility. The matric learners are currently writing their final examinations, and it is essential that their focus and peace of mind are not disrupted. The safety and stability of the school environment must be preserved so that teaching and learning can continue without interference. South Africans must allow due process to take its course. Justice for the victims must be achieved through the rule of law, not through disorder.
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21 Oct, 2025
CPUT: campuses are no safe haven, as another student is raped
Statement by Lucia Matomane, UDESMO Eastern Cape Provincial Chairperson The United Democratic Students’ Movement (UDESMO) is dismayed and angered by the alleged rape of a 23-year-old female student at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) Observatory residence. It is unacceptable that such a violent crime could be committed against a student in an environment meant for learning and personal growth. No student should ever feel unsafe or be sexually targeted in a space that is supposed to nurture their future. UDESMO extends its heartfelt sympathies to the victim, her family, and the wider CPUT student community during this deeply distressing time. Sexual violence has no place in our society, and least of all on our university campuses. It is especially troubling that this incident has occurred so close to the annual 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, a global campaign dedicated to raising awareness and driving action against the very crimes we continue to witness. Sadly, this case is one of many in a country where gender-based violence remains one of South Africa’s most urgent human rights crises, marked by shocking levels of abuse, rape, and femicide. It has been reported that a 24-year-old male student has been arrested in connection with the incident and has already appeared before the Cape Town Magistrates’ Court. We understand that the case has been postponed to 27 October for a formal bail application. UDESMO commends the courage of the CPUT students who have peacefully taken to the streets to demand justice and accountability. Their actions reflect the growing frustration of young South Africans who continue to feel unsafe and unheard.
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21 Oct, 2025
UDM demands accountability after Milnerton High bullying incident
Statement by Nqabayomzi Kwankwa, MP, UDM Deputy President and Leader in Parliament The United Democratic Movement (UDM) notes with great concern the disturbing incident that took place at Milnerton High School on Thursday, 16 October 2025, where ten Grade 10 learners were brutally assaulted in what has been described as an initiation ritual carried out by Grade 11 boys, allegedly members of the school’s first-team rugby squad. Reports indicate that the victims were struck with various objects, including hockey sticks, during this so-called initiation. One learner sustained serious injuries and required medical attention, while others remain traumatised. Some of the victims have reportedly received threats from those implicated in the attack. Video footage circulating on social media appears to confirm that the incident was not an isolated act of bullying, but an organised initiation assault conducted within a school environment. The recording shows a group of older learners in sports attire surrounding and striking younger pupils while others looked on and encouraged the abuse. This reinforces the urgent need for accountability not only from the perpetrators but also from the school authorities who failed to prevent or detect such behaviour. The UDM welcomes confirmation from Western Cape Provincial Commissioner of Police, Lieutenant General Thembisile Pathekile, that a criminal investigation into the incident is underway, following Mr Kwankwa’s engagement with his office. The Party also notes the assurance from Western Cape MEC for Education, Mr David Manier, that disciplinary measures are being implemented after Mr Kwankwa raised the matter with him. Mr Kwankwa will also personally meet with the parents of the affected learners during the course of the day to hear their experiences first-hand, monitor progress on both the criminal and disciplinary fronts, and ensure that the learners receive the protection and support they deserve. While these steps are necessary, the UDM maintains that the matter cannot end there. We are writing to Minister of Basic Education Ms Siviwe Gwarube to demand that her Department intervene decisively to eradicate violent initiation practices from all schools, and to institute a comprehensive review of learner-safety protocols, particularly in sporting environments. In addition, Mr Kwankwa has engaged the Western Cape MEC for Social Development, Mr Jaco Londt, who has agreed to assist in ensuring that psychosocial support services are provided to the affected learners and their families without delay. We will soon write formally to Mr Londt with the details of the affected learners to facilitate this support. The UDM welcomes this commitment, as the emotional and psychological trauma inflicted by such violence can be long-lasting, and professional assistance is essential to help these young people recover and rebuild their confidence. This act of violence is indefensible. It represents a breakdown of discipline and moral leadership within the school environment. There can be no justification for the culture of intimidation and abuse that continues to masquerade as tradition or team bonding in some schools. Bullying and violent initiation practices have no place in a democratic society that values human dignity and child protection. Schools must be safe spaces where learners grow in confidence and character, not fear and humiliation. The UDM urges parents, teachers, and learners to unite in speaking out against school violence and to restore the values of safety, respect, and discipline in our education system.
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