The United Democratic Movement (UDM) is shocked by the exorbitant amount of tax payers’ money that is lost because of the Department of Health’s negligence. Spending R43 billion on lawsuits is ridiculous and it is even more concerning that nothing much is being done to put a stop to the wastage. We cannot be losing money, and especially not such a large amount, due to the carelessness of medical practitioners and health workers. Reports in the public domain allege that some universities, such as University of KwaZulu-Natal, sell medical qualifications to dropouts and/or undeserving graduates. This alleged practice could be exacerbating the problem and can be avoided if proper vetting is done. If bogus doctors are identified, the Department must “blacklist” them so that they are not employed anywhere in the public service. Patients who use our public health care facilities deserve better.
Statement issued by Bongani Msomi – UDM Secretary General The United Democratic Movement (UDM) is saddened by the on-going taxi wars that continue to take innocent lives in KwaZulu Natal. The wars have been going on for some time and nothing effective has been done to stop them. Innocent people are being killed. Taxi operators, taxi associations and security agencies must find ways to resolve these problems of routes. The situation is not acceptable. The recent shootouts at Nongoma and Mbumbulu claimed lives of four passengers plus two drivers respectively. UDM calls upon the Minister of Police, Fikile Mbalula and the MEC for Safety and Security in KZN, Mxolisi Kaunda to do all in their power to stop this carnage. The MEC must also come clean and take the nation in his confidence about what he together with his department have done to address the backlog issuing route permits. Enough is enough. End
Statement issueb by Thandi Nontenja – UDEMWO Secretary General The United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation (UDEMWO) welcomes the arrest of three men relating to the rape and horrendous murder of four women two weeks ago in Soweto. The arrest brings hope that the criminals will face the music for their action. As UDEMWO, we call for no bail for the culprits. We are also concerned that the police refused to attend to crime scenes citing their safety above of the citizens. The recent reports of the 13 year old teenager who went missing three weeks ago and the parents received no assistance from the police until the media intervened. Kabelo Matsatsi, the father reported the event but police officials refused to help. We condemn the misconduct by police. It is unacceptable. We are asking ourselves if the safety officials will not be able to attend to these crimes who will? How many more girls/women must die before something is done? We would also like to see synergy amongst the government departments i.e. South African Police Service, Department of Justice and the Department of Correctional Service as these departments play a vital role. They should complement one another in making sure criminals face and suffer the consequences of their acts. This is a national crisis; it must be attended to with urgency. End
The United Democratic Movement (UDM) in the strongest terms condemns the destructive behaviour of some Walter Sisulu University (WSU) students. The reported fight between WSU medical students and the fatal stabbing of a final year medical student, Lwando Mantshontsho, is shocking and seems quite senseless; it is difficult to grasp what has happened. Parents send their children to university in the hope that they will live and learn in a safe environment, yet they are exposed to danger from fellow students. This is not acceptable. Judging our students by this behaviour, forces us to doubt the quality of the future leaders of this country. WSU students have long complained about lack of security on campus and not much has been done. How many more students and/or staff must be injured and lives lost before action is taken. We call upon all the stakeholders involved to take rapid action. University management must prioritise campus safety so that staff and students can work in an environment conducive to learning. The UDM hopes harsh sentences will be meted out against those found guilty and that it will be a lesson to other criminals in the making. Justice must take its course as our society does not deserve such people. Our condolences to the family and friends of young Lwando. We also wish speedy recovery to those in hospital Issued by: UDM Secretary General Mr Bongani Msomi
If it was not for the serious implications of the ruling party deployment agency; one might be tempted to laugh at the situation around the reinstatement of Mr Brian Molefe as the Eskom Chief Executive (CE). Exasperated opinions by, or on, Mr Molefe, Public Enterprises Minister Lynne Browne, the ruling party and the Eskom Board falls from the sky like hail stones on a tin roof. According to the ruling party, Mr Molefe’s reinstatement “…is reckless and feeds into the perception that the government is lacklustre in dealing with corruption…”. What a loaded phrase and how ironic from whence it came given the South Africa post-cabinet reshuffle. The ruling party, in an official statement, said that it “… will seek an engagement with Comrade Lynne Browne, the Minister of Public Enterprises, under whose authority Eskom…”. Read between the lines that the Minister is no longer accountable to Cabinet and Parliament, but directly to the Comrades in Luthuli House. President Zuma’s foible of blurring the lines between State and Party is seemingly contagious. We also hope that it is not lost on South Africans that today the ruling party has big issues with Brian Molefe as Eskom CE, but it’s fine for him to represent it (and the people) as a Member of Parliament. Funny logic this, or is there something we are not being told? President Zuma’s midnight shuffle was the tip of the iceberg of ruling party infighting spilling over onto an unsuspecting populace. Corruption, and inefficiency has become the hallmarks of the Zuma administration. These are the facts; like it or not. Those voters who have not yet done so, it is time to open your eyes and see what is straight in front of you; Captain Zuma will doggedly salute the status quo and remain at the helm of the sinking ship of South Africa, whilst listening to the dying band as it is submersed with the rest of us. Statement issued by: Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP UDM President
Statement issued by UDEMWO Secretary General, Ms Thandi Nontenja The brutal murder of Karabo Mokoena, allegedly at the hands of an ex-boyfriend, brings great sadness to the women of this Country. We had hoped that she would be found alive and well after she went missing late last month, only to be shocked to learn of her brutal passing. It is most disturbing that this seems to be, once again, one of those horrendous crimes committed by someone a woman or girl should be able to trust. Women continue living in fear of the unknown in their own living spaces. We cannot say enough about the need to stop women abuse and murder; there must be a change of heart and in the actions of many men in this patriarchal society. Meanwhile, UDEMWO welcomes the 20-year sentence of the ANC Youth League’s Patrick Wisani for the murder of his girlfriend, Nosipho Mandleleni. This judgment cannot bring her back but it is lesson for other would be offenders. We hope to see greater punitive measures applied to guilty evildoers. We are disappointed that the Department of Women, which is supposed to champion us, being so quiet. This is a proof that Government continues to fail women. End
JOINT STATEMENT BY POLITICAL PARTIES AND CIVIL SOCIETY March to the Constitutional Court: #SecretBallot (Issued on 12 May 2017 at the Parktonian Hotel in Braamfontein, Johannesburg) It is clear to all patriotic citizens that our country, South Africa, is experiencing the worst crisis of leadership since 1994. Our nation has reached a point where the conscience of every Member of Parliament (MP) matters in deciding whether a rogue President is removed from office or not. Next week Monday, the 15th of May 2017, the Constitutional Court will hear arguments by lawyers representing the United Democratic Movement and others arguing why a President who was elected by Parliament through a secret ballot must be removed by a secrete ballot. We the leaders of political parties (the African Christian Democratic Party, African Independent Congress, African People’s Convention, Congress of the People, Agang SA, Democratic Alliance, Economic Freedom Fighters, Inkatha Freedom Party and the United Democratic Movement), together with the Freedom Movement and SaveSA, are united behind the call for MPs to be allowed to decide, by secret ballot, whether President Jacob Zuma must vacate office or not. We believe that a secrete vote will provide the safest space for every individual MP to be guided by his or her free conscience, not by the dictates of political bosses who issue instructions to Parliament from party headquarters. When a country is burning, it is time for conscience to speak! The heavy-handed threat of punitive action by the governing party against its representatives in Parliament who may choose to uphold their oath of office is a grievous threat to our democracy. The Constitution is the only instrument our people can and must use to neutralise this threat. We believe that the matter that will be argued at the Constitutional Court next Monday goes to the heart of the Constitution. This is why we will together lead a march to demonstrate our resolve to defend our country. We call upon all citizens who share our call for President Zuma to be voted out of office to join our march. The details are as follows: Date: 15 March 2017 Time: 08h00 Meeting point: Marry Fitzgerald Square (Johannesburg) Marching to: Constitutional Court The Constitutional Court is the last line of defence for citizens when betrayed by those who wield political power. We believe that President Zuma’s continued stay in office poses a major threat to constitutionalism in South Africa. It threatens to weaken our economy, to impoverish millions of our people, and further to corrupt and ultimately collapse our state. This negative trend can and must be reversed! History will judge us harshly if we do not stand up to defend our country in its hour of need. South Africans must unite in the interest of their country. We call upon all citizens from all walks of life to join us in our historic march. I thank you! ……………………………… (Presented by Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP, on behalf of the organisations listed above)
Statement issued by UDM Secretary General – Bongani Msomi It is with sadness that we witness the belittling behaviour of President Jacob Zuma towards the people of this country. His no-show at Vuwani, at the weekend, displays the clear arrogance of his government and his party. There have been widespread service delivery protests but nothing changes. Citizens need to realise that the ruling party does not consider them and that it is time to make different choices. President Zuma and his allies should be made to feel the anger of the citizens; the only ways to do this is for South Africans take back their power and punish the ruling party in 2019. President Zuma must stop taking people for a ride and they must stop allowing this to happen.