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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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06 Sep, 2017
UDEMWO is stunned by gang rape case in Komani, EC
Statement issued by Thandi Nontenja – UDEMWO Secretary General The United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation (UDEMWO) is shocked by the incident of a 27 year old woman that was gang raped by three men in Komani, Eastern Cape. The incident that saw one of the rapists being stabbed to death while the other two men were injured by the mother of the victim opens wounds to women. This incident is unfortunate. As the United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation (UDEMWO), we stand in support for the woman, not because she killed the perpetrator but because we believe her life together with her daughter was under threat. Any mother would have done the same should they find themselves in this kind of situation. We do not condone the actions of community taking the law into hands but understanding and knowing that women are under siege in the hands of those familiar to them, we understand the situation. If she did not defend herself she could have been the one killed by the perpetrators and we are certain that if they were going to be arrested, it was going to take time. The mother and the daughter’s lives will never be the same after the horror. That is why we would like to see the remaining perpetrators being brought to book for their inhumane action. To government, more needs to be done in making sure that women and children are protected. UDEMWO has been calling for police stations in places that are rural to make things easier for the community members when they find themselves in situations like this. The mother of the victim tried getting in contact with police with no help. End
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05 Sep, 2017
UDM reacts on South Africa exiting recession with 2.5% of GDP Growth
STATEMENT ISSUED BY MR NQABAYOMZI KWANKWA – UDM DEPUTY PRESIDENT AND CHIEF WHIP The United Democratic Movement (UDM) welcomes the good news of South Africa’s exit from the recession. The poorest of the poor need a better performing economy to take them out of poverty, unemployment and inequality. We hope, corruption which compounds these triple challenges, will also be defeated and buried with urgency, so that this improved economic performance benefits the people; not the connected few. We are also taking note of the fact that while the agricultural production has grown, it has failed to create more job opportunities due to the methods of production used. In this regard, as we compete in the global market, the UDM believes that labour intensive methods, should be balanced with the demands of technological advancement, in order for SA to significantly reduce the current 27.7% unemployment rate. We call on government to do more to sustain this growth and grow the informal and small business sector, aggressively, without favour end corruption. End
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04 Sep, 2017
UDM reaction on the alleged cracking down on political opponents in Lesotho
Statement issued by Mr Bantu Holomisa – UDM President The United Democratic Movement (UDM) is disturbed by the reports of alleged political intolerance in Lesotho. In this regard, we call on the Southern African Development Community (SADC), through its facilitator, the Deputy President of South Africa, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa to intervene with speed, and ensure political stability. We must do everything possible, and within our powers, to avert political instability that may result to loss of life and other socio-economic ills in Lesotho, in the continent and the world over. The fact that the leader of the Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD), Mr Mothetjoa Metsing (as reported in the City Press – 3 September 2017), had to flee his country and take refuge in South Africa, fearing for his life, is a reason enough for a speedy intervention by the SADC. We note the reported commitment, announced by the Lesotho Public Service Minister, Mr Thesele Maseribane, through South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) on Friday, the 1st of September instant. Consistent with that commitment, and taking into account the recent incidents of death, including the death of Thelingoane Mota, the assault of police superintendent Lerato Motseki; the UDM strongly believes that the SADC and the Mr Ramaphosa must join these processes and ensure a safe and peaceful political environment in Lesotho. In the same vein, the UDM would not want the South African soil to be used as a springboard to attack a democratically elected government of Lesotho. Lesotho, need stability to grow its economy and contribute to the betterment of the lives of the people of that country, the Southern Region and the continent at large. End
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10 Aug, 2017
Arbor Day
Address by Mr B Holomisa, MP (UDM President) at the Upper Ngqungqu Junior Secondary School in Mqanduli, Eastern Cape on 1 September 2017 Programme Director, Principal, teachers, parents and learners Ladies and Gentlemen I am humbled and yet extremely delighted to be re-joined with a place where my educational journey began. I am happy to be back here, wearing no uniform, carrying no slate and with no prospect of a corporal punishment administered to me for my naughty behaviour. (Kuluvuyo kakhulu kum ukuphinda ndibelapha phakathi kwanahlali base Mqanduli. Kulapha apho ndaqala khona amabanga am aphantsi emfundo. Kodwa namhlanje andinxibanga mpahla yesikolo, ndingaphethanga nasi leyiti futhi andinaxhala lokubethwa ngu titshalakazi ngenxa yokumosha). I am joining you, my family, in celebrating an achievement of the bricks and mortar that today define this important site of education. In our days, there were no prefabricated structures, we started with one rondavel which we shared with the church. So, it was a school from Monday to Friday and a church on the weekend. Remarkably with those conditions, this school has produced many outstanding leaders of society, be it in the political space, religious and elsewhere. I am certain that this is the route that we, as Upper Ngqungqu, shall not abandoned. You now have a complete school with laboratories and libraries, and therefore tools at your disposal to help you write your own destiny. (Ndize kuni njengosapho lwam ndizokubhiyozela nani ngenzame zethu. Ngentsuku zethu kwakukho uronta omnye apha wayesentyenziswa nayi Cawe. Esisikolo siphuhlise inkokhelo phantsi kweemeko ezinzima. Ndiqinisekile ukuba lomzila soze niwulahle). I said, today, I am not carrying a slate but offer trees. I am delighted that I have managed to deliver on my promise to donate trees as part of my social responsibility to plough back where I was taught basic life skills like writing and behaving. These trees are shall add value to this R30 million centre of education. It will protect the grounds on which the school is built and protect the buildings themselves, against natural disasters like storms. Above all, the tree will conserve the nature we harbour such as birds and squirrels, so we need to preserve and provide shade to be enjoyed during the coming summer days. (Ndiyavuya ke ukuba ndikwazile ukusifezekisa isithembiso sam sokunipha njenge social responsibility apho ndikhulela khina ndafundiswa khona). Indeed, many of our schools in the rural hinterland, were ignored by the minority apartheid government and thus, they were not greened and landscaped leaving them brown and dusty. We must take advantage of these trees and bring a healthy atmospheres and breath fresh airs that will make use teach and learn better. Our neighbouring Anglican Church should benefit from these trees considering our long-standing history. In this regard, I humble myself and express my gratitude to Mr Keith Kirsten for his support and the donation of these trees. He is a world-renowned gardener and a philanthropist. It is these gestures that may appear small yet are responsible for a fundamental change in the lives of the people and those in the rural areas like us. Once again, thank you Keith. Learners and teachers, you are daily custodians of this new life giver (your child) that has arrived in our home. It is your daily responsibility to nature, feed, clean and its life as it grows to be a nurturer of our wellbeing. Take care and make good use of the trees. (Kuni bafundi noo titshala, ndiyacela ukuba niyiphathe kakuhle lemithi njengabantwana benu).
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31 Aug, 2017
UDM reacts on R14m pato WSU student while others are paid R46 for meals
Statement issued by Mr Nqabayomzi Kwankwa – UDM Deputy President and Chief Whip The so-called accidental payment of R14 million to a student at Walter Sisulu University is baffling and smacks of gross negligence, maladministration and neglect of legal obligations to safe guard public monies, which may be characterised as a corrupt activity. This happens when other students are erroneously given R46 by the same University. The UDM demands that a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances that led to this saga be conducted by the Department of Higher Education and Training with speed. All suspects must be subjected to the full might of the law. Both the WSU and NSFAS cannot escape accountability when dealing with public funds meant for public use and for the provision of a fee free education for the most vulnerable poor students. It is estimated that 10000 students could have received funding from this wrongful management of funds. The minister must account on action he has taken around this issue to resolve it within two weeks. The public must closely monitor these funds to uncover other instances of mismanagement and corruption. End
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31 Aug, 2017
UDM rejects DA’s dirty tricks campaign
Statement issued by UDM President Bantu Holomisa, MP Since the outrageous DA orchestrated ousting of Deputy Executive Mayor Mongameli Bobani from the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan coalition government, such senior DA leaders as Mmusi Maimane, James Selfe, and Athol Trollip have relentlessly attacked the UDM, its loyal coalition partner until the DA breached the relationship. I trust that the High Court will separate fact from fiction and that the honourable court will see through the DA’s politicking and identify the DA’s smear campaign against Bobani and the UDM. The UDM is taking a dim view of the irresponsible statement by DA Leader Maimane, to the effect that the UDM, in defending Bobani, is in fact also covering up corruption. The UDM rejects this false and loaded accusation by Maimane with deserved contempt. A civil application in the High Court is launched today, to interdict and restrain the municipality from implementing the August 24 decision to remove Deputy Executive Mayor Bobani; and to reinstate him. The UDM argues that the mechanics of the introduction and acceptance of, and the voting on, and the decision of Council to pass a motion of no confidence in the Deputy Executive Mayor was unconstitutional and unlawful from the outset and should be set aside. And, in any event, a majority of council members of the Municipality were not present during the vote. The DA, claiming good governance at every turn, should have known better than to have proceeded with the motion; should know better than to defend the illicit decision to remove the Deputy Executive Mayor. What the DA claims, and what the DA does; what the DA promises, and what the DA delivers, remain alarmingly divergent. The motion of no confidence is both unreasonable and irrational because there is no factual or legal grounds for the removal of the Deputy Executive Mayor. Councillor Bobani had not been formally accused of any wrongdoing; councillor Bobani had not been granted any opportunity to defend himself, or even to be heard on the alleged accusations of wrongdoing. The architect of this outrageous political plot, DA Executive Mayor Trollip, refers only to some forensic report by PricewaterhouseCoopers, a report produced without any input from the Executive Deputy Mayor apparently compromised by the findings. The flagrant DA double standard in dealing with its own, as the current Bongi Madikizela birthday party matter in the Western Cape Legislature clearly indicates, is unconscionable and offensive. The PwC report was never even tabled in council. All the so-called “evidence of corruption” was kept in DA briefcases. The DA has been making noise about these unfounded allegations against councillor Bobani, but the DA did not, and the DA would not share the information with its fellow leaders in the coalition. Trollip did not even refer the so called misbehaviour of Bobani to the Ethics Committee as required by municipal regulations. It is clear that a DA Kangaroo court presided over Bobani in his absence It is a fact that a coalition multi party enquiry levelled accusations of wrongdoing against both Trollip and Bobani; only Bobani had been sanctioned by Council. Again, the flagrant, unmitigated double standard is as appalling as it is shameful. It is a fact that the DA encouraged and pressured Members of Parliament to vote their conscience in the August 8 motion of no confidence in President Zuma, and are now sanctioning Bobani for his considered voting record in Council. Yet again, the flagrant, unmitigated double standard is as appalling as it is shameful. In typical DA baasskap style, the DA ordered an acolyte, Patriotic Alliance (PA) councillor Marlon Daniels, won over with a mayoral committee seat, and unilaterally invited to join the coalition government, to table the motion is so insulting that more than half the councillors walked out in disgust while the DA Speaker hastily counted remaining heads in an emptying chamber. The UDM, a loyal, and the largest DA coalition partner at the time, had not even been consulted on the PA joining ranks. Accordingly, the PA’s inclusion in the coalition government is invalid and of no force and effect. The PA was, apparently, sneaked in to front its new master’s dirty work. Quite ridiculous. If the DA can ever be said to be transparent, it is because the DA’s intimidation tactics are so transparent. Bullying is most certainly not conducive to mature coalitions. The DA’s current coalition management appears to be a bridge too far for an assumptive political party with some 1 in 4 voter support. Given its current political management, the DA can hardly be expected to lead a national coalition government by Apartheid style baasskap dressed up in a cheap tuxedo. As it is becoming all too evident that the DA cannot manage coalitions, the UDM will step up to strengthen the developing mechanics of coalition governance in the run-up to 2019, when coalition governance is expected to become the norm in the next chapter of South Africa’s maturing democracy. To this end the UDM is seeking relief against DA intimidation in the High Court not because the UDM is belligerent, or annoyed, or insulted, but because the UDM is determined to expose the empty DA promise of working coalitions against corruption. The court will have to rule on the DA’s underhanded, treacherous tactics in the vain attempt to get rid of a “coalition partner” not willing to dance to the exact tune of the lordly DA clan master. The UDM will not abandon the people of the NMB Metro. The UDM will not abandon the people of South Africa while the biggest opposition party continues to try to enforce itself by intimidation, in the absence of substantive vision. The UDM is committed to strengthening governance in all spheres. Because the UDM stands for inclusive government, not exclusive, disdainful lordliness by some arrogated superiority. End
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