Admin
17 Oct, 2017
UDEMWO pleased by Brickz verdict
The United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation (UDEMWO) welcomes the fifteen-year jail sentence given to Sipho Ndlovu, popularly known as Brickz in the music entertainment business. This outcome gives hope that no rapist, not even a male celebrity, is above law. It is also good that the justice system made an example of him; for he had been a role model for young male fans, who might have thought it “cool” to emulate his behaviour. Raping a woman or a girl-child is not acceptable by any standard. It is a vicious, immoral crime. UDEMWO again calls for greater punitive measures against those men and boys who victimise women and children. Although fifteen years may seem like a long time, punishing Sipho Ndlovu can however never undo what he did to his teenage niece, but at least society has said: “No, we will not tolerate this behaviour and have been punished for breaking the law”. Nothing can ever take away the pain she felt and continues to feel; even after the ordeal. We commend her for staying strong and speaking out; especially since her rapist had been a family member. We urge women and girl-children to come forward and report abuse. We hope that the justice system will continue to deal with such lawbreakers effectively and never-ever be lenient. Issued by: Ms Thandi Nontenja UDEMWO Secretary General
Admin
16 Oct, 2017
Nationwide school violence crisis needs swift intervention
The United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation (UDEMWO) is concerned by the continued crime and violence that are prevalent in many schools throughout the country. There seems to be an increase of criminal activities in our schools that puts our pupils’ safety and lives at risk. This is a threat to education and jeopardises our children’s basic rights as entrenched in the Constitution. Not a day passes without reports of shootouts, stabbings and even rapes in full view of pupils; under the noses of teachers and principals. Firearms brought to school and shootouts on school premises have become somewhat of a norm. In most cases children are the victims. These kinds of crimes are happening in the Western Cape, Gauteng and in KwaZulu-Natal – to name a few. UDEMWO also notes with sadness reports of parents that assault teachers at some schools, especially in Gauteng. We condemn this behaviour in the strongest terms. What kind of society is this? Clearly there is something very wrong with our schooling system, where learners are not safe to learn and teachers are not safe to teach. Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga’s silence is deafening. She is only a minister by title. So much has happened under her leadership. We however note the interventions made by the Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi but it is not enough. This situation is unacceptable, and all stakeholders involved cannot allow this crisis in our schools to continue. It is time to for them have an urgent meeting and find permanent solutions to these problems which affect our children’s and our country’s futures. Statement issued by Ms Thandi Nontenja, UDEMWO Secretary General.
Admin
13 Oct, 2017
UDM’s wishes to the matric class of 2017
The United Democratic Movement congratulates the matric class of 2017 for staying the course and, staying in school! Pursuing education will give you significantly more options over the course of your life. Set goals and work hard to achieve them. Past question papers, available on the Department of Education’s website, can help you gauge your preparedness and identify subjects that need more work. Manage you time well and be well rested before writing a test by sleeping seven to eight hours the preceding night. You may be stressed, tired and get distracted, but stay focussed, work hard and persevere. Your success is the country’s success, for you will lead tomorrow and take South Africa forward. As James Allen says about a positive attitude: “Work joyfully and peacefully, knowing that right thoughts and right efforts will inevitably bring about right results”. Mr Nqabayomzi Kwankwa, MP UDM Deputy President and Chief Whip
Admin
12 Oct, 2017
#Storms: UDEMWO prays for missing flood victims to be found alive
The United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation (UDEMWO) sends a message of condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their lives in the terrible heavy storms that have turned havoc in many parts of the country this week. This period is the most difficult one not only to those who have been directly affected by the rains but the country as whole. Indeed, it is a trying time for us as a country. We are relieved that the body of the 18-month-old toddler, Hope Maphumulo, has been recovered. The toddler is amongst those who went missing during this week’s heavy storms. We hope that the toddler’s mother, together with her older sister who are still missing, will be soon found alive and well. We also pray for the 14-year-old Nomthandazo Chili (from Folweni) and 22-month-old Okuhle Kweyama (from Umlazi D Section) and many others who are still missing. We wait in hope that they will be found alive and are reunited with their families. We appeal to the emergency workers and police divers to continue doing everything in their power to locate the missing persons. No one can ever be prepared for the havoc caused by such heavy rains and winds, which saw many losing their lives and others losing all their possessions. This is indeed a national disaster. Statement by: Ms Thandi Nontenja UDEMWO Secretary General
Admin
10 Oct, 2017
The KwaZulu Natal mass murder phenomenon
Statement issued by UDM President Bantu Holomisa, MP The United Democratic Movement (UDM) is concerned about the spate of mass killings in KwaZulu-Natal. It cannot be that, in less than two weeks, more than fifteen people have been killed in almost the same manner – in a hail of gunfire. Eight members of the same family were killed when an unknown person opened fire in Umvoti ; just a few days after a family of five were also killed in Marianhill, with the latest, the death of three family members who were shot and killed (Folweni) – all in the same province. Most of the deceased are women and children. Something is not right. What could the motives be? KwaZulu-Natal is a known battlefield of political intolerance, but the seemingly arbitrary nature of these mass murders is serious cause for concern. Many lives have been lost since the start of 2017 and something other than nonstop investigations must be done. We welcome the arrest of four suspects on the Marianhill murder; however more needs to be done to stop this inhumane bloodshed. The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Organised Crime Task Team, the National Intervention Unit and Crime Intelligence must get to the bottom of this phenomenon immediately and stop this egregious violence. End
Admin
09 Oct, 2017
#LionMama: UDEMWO welcomes decision to drop charges against Komani mother
Statement issued by Thandi Nontenja – UDEMWO Secretaty General The United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation (UDEMWO) applauds the justice system for dropping the charges against the woman accused of fatally stabbing a man and wounding two others after finding them allegedly raping her daughter in Komani, Eastern Cape. UDEMWO has been vocal in its support for this family, but in particular in support of a woman who the law intended to punish for protecting her daughter. No mother would have been able to fold arms while a horrible act was taking place in their presence. We have stood in support of this courageous woman and we will continue supporting her. Our support is not in promotion of committing crime, but we believe that her and her daughter’s lives were under threat. UDEMWO does not condone any actions of individuals or community’s taking the law into their own hands, but we understand and know that women are under siege from those familiar to them and that desperation can sometimes bring extreme protective instincts to the fore. This mother and the daughter’s lives will never be the same after the horror and as UDEMWO, we will continue to be the voice of the voiceless. End
Admin
06 Oct, 2017
#NMURape: security on our university campuses needs urgent attention
Statement issued by Thandi Nontenja – UDEMWO Secretary General The United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation (UDEMWO) welcomes the arrest of a man suspected of having raped a female student, stabbing another and robbing them at the Nelson Mandela University (NMU) in the Eastern Cape. It is clear that campus security was compromised with the students being accosted in a lab at the NMU Second Avenue Campus. What is of great concern is that this horrendous incident happened hot on the heels of a hijacking, armed robbery, rape and murder of two NMU students in August 2017. Earlier this year, fellow students killed a Walter Sisulu University (WSU) final-year medical student. In other incidents, also at WSU, a student stabbed his roommate with a bread-knife (August), while a female student was gang-raped whilst a fellow student stripped of his clothes and robbed of his bank card on the premises (in September). Also in early 2017, the University of Zululand abandoned an internal investigation into two senior staff members implicated in the alleged rapes of a student, in three separate incidents. And these are just a few examples of campus crime in 2017 alone. Our institutions of learning have become a playground for rapists, murderers and criminals. There must be a better way of tightening security at our universities and other institutions of learning. It is the responsibility of university managements to ensure that our students are safe in their own spaces; in class, in-between classes and at residences. The Department of Higher Education, together with those in authority positions, must come clean and let parents and students know how they plan to address the scourge of rape and murder on our campuses. End
Admin
03 Oct, 2017
UDM calls for effective action on Cape Flats killings
Statement issued by Mr Bongani Msomi – UDM Secretary General The United Democratic Movement (UDM) is concerned by the on-going gangsterism feuds that continue claiming lives of the innocent members of the community in the Cape Flats. We have been calling upon the Western Cape government to make swift interventions into this. The past weekend, residents in Marikana informal settlement have witnessed yet again another massacre when more 10 people were murdered in gang related shootings. We do not understand why the City of Cape Town is dragging its feet into this matter. The residents live in fear as their fate is in the hands of gangsters. How many lives must be lost before the government of the Western Cape led by Democratic Alliance realise that the situation has gotten out of hand. One wonders whether the delay for decisive action is because the victims are only blacks. UDM has previously raised concerns and questioned the strategy of the Safety and Security Cluster in the Western Cape. We are once again calling for the Safety and Security MEC, Dan Plato to do something effective that will stamp out gangsterism in that part of the country. Law abiding citizens are kept as prisoners in their homes. End
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