Admin
05 Oct, 2025
World Teachers Day: UDM salutes South Africa’s teachers
Statement by Zandile Phiri, Acting Secretary General of the United Democratic Movement As the world marks World Teachers’ Day, the United Democratic Movement (UDM) pays heartfelt tribute to the men and women who dedicate their lives to the noble task of educating our nation. Teachers are not only transmitters of knowledge; they are the architects of our collective future. In every classroom, whether in a rural village, township or city, teachers shape South Africa’s destiny by nurturing the minds that will build tomorrow’s economy, democracy and leadership. They are mentors, counsellors and protectors who work under increasingly difficult conditions, yet continue to give of themselves with patience and purpose. Today, we must also confront the hard truth that many of our teachers operate in overcrowded classrooms, without adequate support or resources, and face safety and morale challenges that no professional should endure. It is unacceptable that educators are expected to inspire hope while they themselves feel neglected and undervalued. The UDM believes that education remains the single most powerful equaliser in our society, and that investing in teachers is investing in the nation’s stability and growth. We therefore call for the urgent improvement of working conditions and remuneration for educators, particularly in rural and under-resourced schools. We further call for the reintroduction of teacher training and mentorship programmes to restore the professionalism and discipline that once defined the teaching vocation. Stronger partnerships between schools, communities and government are essential to ensure that every learner studies in an environment that is safe, supportive and conducive to growth. Happy World Teachers’ Day.
Admin
04 Oct, 2025
Reform parole, protect victims: UDEMWO’s call for action
Media Statement by Thandi Nontenja, MP and UDEMWO Secretary General The United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation (UDEMWO) has consistently raised the alarm about South Africa’s broken parole system. Time and again, we have argued that the safety of women, children, and communities cannot be compromised by releasing offenders who remain a clear danger to society. Recent figures provided in Parliament are nothing short of devastating. In just three years, 18 052 parolees reoffended including 493 murders and 624 rapes. The most common crimes committed while on parole were theft and housebreaking, compounding the daily fear ordinary families already live with. Between 2022 and 2025, a staggering 46 627 inmates were released on parole, yet parole violations reached over 28 000 in five years, mostly due to reoffending. These are not just numbers, they represent destroyed lives, families left in pain, and communities stripped of their sense of safety. We note that Correctional Services Minister Pieter Groenewald convened the National Parole Review Summit in September 2025, where he committed to reforms that place public safety and victim justice at the centre of parole decisions. He acknowledged the shocking reality that parole must never be used as a tool simply to ease overcrowding in prisons, and that only those genuinely rehabilitated and posing no risk to the public should be considered. UDEMWO welcomes this shift in tone, but we stress that words and summits are not enough. What is needed is decisive, transparent reform that prioritises: 1. The Department of Correctional Services and parole boards must ensure that the voices and safety of victims and their families weigh heavily in all parole decisions. 2. Parliament and the Ministry of Justice must hold parole boards accountable when offenders they release commit violent crimes. 3. Offenders must demonstrate readiness for parole through meaningful participation in skills training, education, and reintegration programmes under the supervision of the Department of Correctional Services. 4. The Department of Correctional Services must publish regular reports on parole approvals, reoffending, and violations, and these reports must be tabled before Parliament for public scrutiny. The South African public is tired of empty promises. Every rape, every murder committed by someone released too soon, is a failure of the system and an insult to victims. UDEMWO will continue to speak out until a parole system exists that truly protects the living while respecting the memory of those we have lost. Communities must also take responsibility by reporting such crimes, rather than concealing them due to stigma, fear, or misplaced loyalty.
Admin
04 Oct, 2025
Cape Town cannot hide behind spin while billions go missing
Statement by Bongani Maqungwana, UDM Councillor in the City of Cape Town The United Democratic Movement (UDM) in the City of Cape Town notes with grave concern the large-scale police raids conducted across Cape Town this week in connection with alleged fraud and corruption involving R1.6 billion worth of municipal contracts. Reports indicate that 26 properties, including the private residences of municipal officials and businesses linked to tenders, were searched with documents and electronic devices seized as part of the ongoing investigation by the South African Police Services (SAPS). While we recognise the importance of law enforcement acting on credible whistle-blower information, it is deeply troubling that once again the City of Cape Town finds itself at the centre of allegations of corruption, maladministration and questionable procurement practices. These scandals come at the direct expense of ordinary residents who rely on municipal services and who expect that every rand of public money is spent on service delivery, not siphoned off through shady contracts. The UDM is particularly concerned that the spectre of “tenders for cash” has become a recurring theme in Cape Town’s governance. Allegations of links to underworld figures and repeat instances of unlawful contracting erode public confidence and reinforce the perception that corruption is entrenched rather than being rooted out. We caution against premature self-congratulation by the City for “cooperating” with SAPS. True accountability does not come from spin but from transparent investigations, full disclosure and holding individuals, no matter how senior, personally liable if they are found complicit. The UDM therefore calls for: • The immediate suspension of any officials under suspicion to prevent interference with evidence. • Law enforcement to ensure prosecutions follow swiftly so that whistle-blowers and the public see justice done. Cape Town’s residents deserve a municipality that prioritises clean governance and service delivery, not one mired in allegations of corruption worth billions. The UDM will continue to monitor these developments closely, engage relevant oversight bodies and demand accountability at every level.
Admin
03 Oct, 2025
Open letter to the Financial Sector Conduct Authority, National Treasury and the government of South Africa on pension arrears
Mr Enoch Godongwana, MP Minister of Finance Private Bag X115 Pretoria 0001 and Mr Velenkosini Hlabisa, MP Minister of the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Private Bag X802 Pretoria 0001 and Commissioner Unathi Kamlana Financial Sector Conduct Authority PO Box 35655 Menlo Park 0102 Dear Minister Godongwana, Minister Hlabisa and Commissioner Kamlana An open letter to the Financial Sector Conduct Authority, National Treasury and the government of South Africa on pension arrears 1. The United Democratic Movement (UDM) writes with grave concern about the worsening crisis of unpaid pension contributions, recently highlighted by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA). According to the FSCA, employers across South Africa owe more than R7.29 billion in pension arrears, affecting nearly 600,000 workers. 2. This is not only a financial scandal; it is a betrayal of trust. Pensions are not perks; they are deferred wages. For thousands of workers, the discovery that contributions deducted from their salaries were never paid over to pension funds has caused shock and despair. Many only became aware of this painful truth when attempting to access their savings under the two-pot retirement system in September 2024. 3. The introduction of the two-pot retirement system was meant to improve financial security by splitting new contributions into a savings pot, from which one withdrawal can be made each year, and a retirement pot, which remains locked until retirement. Instead of providing relief, the system has exposed the depth of the arrears crisis. When workers tried to make their first withdrawals, many discovered that their contributions had never been transferred to their funds. What should have been a safety net has become proof of betrayal, leaving workers with empty accounts where their savings should have been. 4. Families who are already struggling with rising costs of living now face the indignity of poverty in their old age because of the failures of their employers and the weakness of the regulatory framework. 5. As a party within the Government of National Unity (GNU), the UDM sees it as our duty to exercise firm oversight from within, ensuring that government does not turn a blind eye to failures that harm workers and their families 6. The scale of the crisis 6.1. The arrears problem is no longer marginal; it is systemic. Arrears surged by 40% in one year to reach over R7 billion. Nearly 600,000 workers are affected, with many still in employment and others already retired. Over 1,000 cases have been referred to the South African Police Service, and more than 8,000 instances of legal action have been initiated by retirement funds. Yet, prosecutions remain limited and recoveries slow. 6.2. This problem is not confined to small businesses. Large provident funds such as the Auto Workers Provident Fund and the Motor Industry Provident Fund account for the bulk of legal actions, and government itself has emerged as one of the biggest culprits. 7. Accuracy and transparency of data 7.1. While the scale of the arrears is shocking, there are also concerns about the accuracy of FSCA data. Reports have shown that some employers named in arrears lists insist they had made payments, but that the arrears were still reflected because of delays in updating data, incomplete reporting by funds, or administrative errors. 7.2. Such inaccuracies undermine trust in the regulatory system, cause reputational harm to compliant employers, and create confusion for workers. Transparency only has value if the information is accurate and up to date. Workers and Parliament need figures they can rely on. 8. The systemic weaknesses 8.1. The UDM acknowledges steps the FSCA has taken, including publishing arrears lists, collaborating with Treasury and the Hawks, recovering R39 million and R50 million from municipalities through withheld transfers, and securing court orders against delinquent municipalities and company directors. These are important interventions. 8.2. However, they remain insufficient. The FSCA itself admits that it lacks full powers over employers until the Conduct of Financial Institutions (COFI) Bill is passed into law. Enforcement is slow, arrears continue to grow, and some retirement fund trustees are failing to act decisively against non-compliant employers. In the meantime, workers continue to suffer while billions in deferred wages are withheld. 9. Accountability and governance 9.1. It is especially alarming that government itself (through national and provincial departments and municipalities) is among the biggest culprits, owing an estimated R1.5 billion despite Treasury interventions. Municipalities in particular are repeat offenders, often defaulting again even after arrears are recovered through withheld equitable share transfers. National and provincial departments are not immune either. 9.2. This is unacceptable. When the state itself is in breach, it weakens public confidence in the entire system and sets a terrible example for private employers. The UDM cannot remain silent while the state itself is one of the worst offenders. We will use every platform in Parliament, including SCOPA, to hold both our partners and ourselves to account. Leadership cannot demand compliance from others while defaulting on its own workers’ pensions. 10. In light of the above, the United Democratic Movement calls for urgent action on the following: 10.1. The Minister of Finance to prioritise the Conduct of Financial Institutions Bill and for the Portfolio Committee on Finance to fast-track its passage through Parliament, so that the FSCA is fully empowered to act against defaulting employers. 10.2. The FSCA, working with National Treasury, the Hawks and the National Prosecuting Authority, to enforce the law through criminal charges, asset seizures and by holding directors, officers and municipal managers personally liable. 10.3. The FSCA to continue publishing arrears lists, but to strengthen them by ensuring accuracy, providing sectoral breakdowns, and reporting not only on arrears but also on recoveries and enforcement actions, so that workers, Parliament and the public can track real progress transparently 10.4. National Treasury and Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa, in his role as Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, to intervene firmly in delinquent municipalities and government departments, with SCOPA exercising oversight to ensure that such failures do not repeat. 10.5. The FSCA to act against trustees who neglect their duty to recover contributions from defaulting employers. 10.6. National Treasury to put in place interim protection measures so that workers making use of the two-pot system are not left destitute because of employer failures. 11. Conclusion 11.1. South Africa cannot tolerate a situation where nearly R7.3 billion in pensions is left unpaid while workers go hungry and pensioners live in indignity. Pensions are deferred wages earned through years of labour and withholding them is nothing short of theft from the future. 11.2. Being part of the GNU does not mean turning a blind eye. It means doubling our vigilance. The UDM will continue to play its role by exercising firm oversight inside government to safeguard the rights of workers and ensure public money is used with integrity. Yours sincerely Mr NLS Kwankwa, MP Deputy President of the United Democratic Movement Party Leader in Parliament Copied to: Ms Nomakhosazana Meth, MP - Minister of Employment and Labour Mr Songezo Zibi, MP - Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts Dr Mkhacani Maswanganyi – Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Finance Mr Makhosonke Maneli – Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Employment and Labour Dr Zwelini Mkhize – Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Ms Thandi Nontenja, MP - UDM Member on the Standing Committee on Public Accounts
Admin
03 Oct, 2025
Set humanitarian activists free; let aid reach Gaza
Statement by Nqabayomzi Kwankwa, MP, UDM Deputy President and Leader in Parliament The United Democratic Movement (UDM) joins the global outcry over the abduction of the Global Sumud Flotilla activists, including South Africans who were on a humanitarian mission to deliver aid and solidarity to the people of Gaza. We demand their immediate and unconditional release. These South Africans, alongside others from around the world, embarked on a mission of compassion. Their detention is not only a violation of their rights, but also an attack on the principle of humanitarian action itself. No one should be punished for carrying food, medicine, and hope to people in desperate need. The International Court of Justice ordered Israel to halt military operations in Rafah, to allow unimpeded humanitarian access, to prevent acts that could constitute genocide, and to preserve evidence of violations. Israel’s failure to comply with these binding measures defies international law, undermines the authority of the world’s highest court, and pushes the prospects of peace even further out of reach. The UDM has consistently called for peace in the Middle East. But peace cannot exist while humanitarian aid is blocked, and human rights are trampled underfoot. South Africa, given our own history of apartheid and liberation, has a moral responsibility to stand with the oppressed and to advocate for peaceful resolution. Our position is clear: the killing of civilians, the destruction of communities, and the obstruction of humanitarian aid are indefensible. The UDM reiterates its view that the long-term solution to this conflict lies not in violence or exclusion, but in inclusive dialogue and a just peace that upholds the rights and dignity of both Palestinians and Israelis. We reaffirm our support for Palestinian statehood and peaceful coexistence in the region. The abduction of humanitarian activists must be a wake-up call to the international community: inaction emboldens lawlessness.
Admin
01 Oct, 2025
Respect the dead, protect the living: UDM on Gauteng cemeteries
Statement by Andile Jabavu, Gauteng Provincial Secretary of the United Democratic Movement The United Democratic Movement (UDM) in Gauteng notes with deep concern the worsening pattern of neglect, vandalism, illegal dumping, informal settlements and more tarnishing cemeteries across the province which are sites of dignity, memory and community — not just plots of land. Despite repeated outcries from communities who have voiced their anger and frustration over these issues, the matter has only worsened. From Bredell Cemetery (Kempton Park), Kromvlei and Alberton Cemeteries (City of Ekurhuleni) to Pretoria East Cemetery and Zenzele Cemetery in the West Rand, multiple reports in Gauteng have highlighted growing incidents of uncontrolled waste dumping, safety risks and concerns such as damaged infrastructure and overgrown vegetation as well as people establishing unlawful occupation within burial grounds. It is deeply concerning that families arrive to find their loved ones’ graves desecrated, memorials stolen, tombstones broken or burial grounds overtaken by litter and informal settlements further eroding these cemeteries. Meant to offer dignity in death and solace to the living, burial grounds are being reduced to habitats of decay and disregard. What is most disheartening is that these same grievances have been emphasised from one community to the next. In particular, the absence of visible law enforcement or municipal maintenance, overgrown grass, broken fences and even shacks erected over graves have turned cemeteries into unsafe and unhealthy spaces. The erection of informal dwellings on burial sites is not only disrespectful but also poses serious health risks and reflects shocking failures in town planning and land use management. As symbols of respect, tradition, community and history, this is a matter that is affecting different communities and religious backgrounds. Communities should no longer be left to fend for themselves in these concerning circumstances with little to no meaningful intervention from local authorities. Protection, restoration and proper management of cemeteries needs to be prioritised quickly and urgently which includes dedicated funding for infrastructure, security personnel and ongoing maintenance while enforcing existing municipal bylaws. What should be places of remembrance and peace should remain so to give communities and families a place of reflection, dignity and connection to their loved ones and heritage.
Admin
01 Oct, 2025
UDM responds to Ngizwe Mchunu’s anti-LGBTQIA+ rant
Statement by Zandile Phiri, Acting Secretary General of the United Democratic Movement The United Democratic Movement (UDM) is outraged and disturbed by the appalling remarks made by Ngizwe Mchunu on his TikTok platform, Ngizwe Mchunu Online, where he launched into a hate-filled tirade targeting the LGBTQIA+ community. This was not a moment of ignorance, it was a deliberate, calculated expression of discrimination and what appears to be no less than incitement. Mr Mchunu even declared his intention to use his platform to promote prejudice, a statement as chilling as it is dangerous. These remarks come at a time when South Africa and the global community are marking Pride Month; a period dedicated to celebrating inclusion, dignity, and equality for LGBTQIA+ people. Instead of advancing unity, Mchunu’s words attempt to drag us backwards into division and hate. We must say this clearly: These remarks amount to prima facie hate speech. They appear to constitute incitement and an abuse of influence. For too long, Ngizwe Mchunu has acted with impunity, a man who believes his charisma can shield him from consequences. But what he is doing now is not entertainment. It is not culture. It is not “just an opinion.” It is a threat to lives. South Africa is gripped by a crisis of violence. Every day, LGBTQIA+ people, women, and children live with the fear of being attacked simply for existing. Every day, we bury people whose only crime was living authentically and openly. Mr Mchunu’s bigotry adds fuel to this fire. It emboldens those who already believe that difference is something to be punished. The Constitution of our beloved country guarantees dignity, equality, and freedom for all. We will not allow hate to masquerade as free speech. We will not allow platforms to become pulpits of intolerance. The UDM calls on: • The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) to investigate Mr. Mchunu’s statements with the seriousness they demand. • Law enforcement agencies to determine whether this incitement qualifies as a prosecutable offence under our hate speech and anti-discrimination laws. • Online platforms and broadcasters to enforce community standards and take action against accounts that spread hate, violence, or discrimination. We also call on all South Africans, artists, leaders, traditional leaders, influencers, everyday citizens to stand up. Silence is complicity. Neutrality in the face of hate is siding with the oppressor. To the LGBTQIA+ community: You are seen. You are valued. You belong. Your existence is not up for debate. Your right to live free from fear is non-negotiable. And we, the United Democratic Movement, stand beside you without hesitation or condition. This Pride Month, in South Africa and across the world, we recommit ourselves to building societies where diversity is celebrated, dignity is defended, and hate has no home. Ngizwe Mchunu’s voice may be loud, but it is hollow. It echoes a past we refuse to return to. South Africa’s future is one of inclusion, of justice, of unity in diversity. The UDM will defend that future with every tool at our disposal.
Admin
01 Oct, 2025
The R26 billion question: where is the uMkhomazi water?
Statement by Thandi Nontenja, MP, UDM Member of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts LISTEN: Ms Nontenja on the subject of the uMkhomazi projects The United Democratic Movement (UDM) is gravely concerned about the continuing delays and disputes in the Upper and Lower uMkhomazi Water Projects, which have left communities without water despite billions of rands being committed. The Upper and Lower uMkhomazi Water Projects were meant to secure supply for both inland and coastal communities. The Upper scheme, centred on the Smithfield Dam and transfer tunnel, was designed to boost the uMngeni system and bring long-awaited relief to Durban and surrounding areas. The Lower scheme, with its storage dam and treatment works, was intended to serve southern eThekwini and the Ugu District, benefiting an estimated 50,000 households in towns like Amanzimtoti, Umkomaas, Scottburgh and Hibberdene. The Upper uMkhomazi scheme was originally projected to be completed in 2018. Instead, it has been dogged by funding shortfalls, procurement disputes and legal wrangles. Its completion date has now been pushed to 2032. This means that communities such as Tafelkop, west of Durban, have lived with dry taps for over 15 years and will wait another generation for what their constitutional right is. The UDM is disturbed that public money continues to flow, but public benefit does not. Government admitted as far back as 2015 that affordability concerns had stalled the project. In 2025, a R7 billion tender for the Lower uMkhomazi scheme was interdicted in court over disputes about the adjudication process. These are not small technical glitches — they are signs of systemic weaknesses in financial governance and procurement. The promises made to resuscitate and fast-track the project, including those by Senzo Mchunu during his tenure as Minister of Water and Sanitation, have not been honoured. Now the urgent question is what the incumbent Minister, Pemmy Majodina, and Deputy President Paul Mashatile, who oversees infrastructure coordination in the Government of National Unity, are doing to prevent billions more from being wasted while people still fetch water from streams. It is unacceptable that a R26 billion investment can be committed to schemes that deliver ribbon cuttings, contracts and disputes, but not water. The UDM therefore demands: 1. A full Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) inquiry into the expenditure on the uMkhomazi projects to date, with disclosure of every contract and payment. The UDM will formally write to SCOPA to request that such an inquiry be initiated as a matter of urgency. 2. A halt to further waste until there is assurance that the money is translating into water for households. 3. Quarterly reporting to the Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation on progress, costs and delays. 4. Accountability from both current leaders and former ministers who presided over these failures, including appearances before Parliament and referrals to law enforcement where misconduct is proven. 5. Transparency and expedited resolution of procurement disputes that have landed in court, so that communities are not held hostage to years of litigation, with interim measures put in place to ensure access to water in the meantime. The UDM is serious about infrastructure development as the backbone of service delivery and economic growth. We have long argued for investment in dams and water storage schemes to secure supply for households, agriculture and industry. Projects like the uMkhomazi Water Scheme are urgently needed and should be welcomed, but they must be delivered on time, on budget and free of corruption. South Africans cannot drink blueprints and promises - they need functioning infrastructure that works Water is life, and public money is sacred. It is SCOPA’s duty to ensure that every rand spent on infrastructure, including water, translates into services that work, not empty promises and endless delays.
- 01
- 02
- 03
- 04
- 05
- 06
- 07
- 08
- 09
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
- 14
- 15
- 16
- 17
- 18
- 19
- 20
- 21
- 22
- 23
- 24
- 25
- 26
- 27
- 28
- 29
- 30
- 31
- 32
- 33
- 34
- 35
- 36
- 37
- 38
- 39
- 40
- 41
- 42
- 43
- 44
- 45
- 46
- 47
- 48
- 49
- 50
- 51
- 52
- 53
- 54
- 55
- 56
- 57
- 58
- 59
- 60
- 61
- 62
- 63
- 64
- 65
- 66
- 67
- 68
- 69
- 70
- 71
- 72
- 73
- 74
- 75
- 76
- 77
- 78
- 79
- 80
- 81
- 82
- 83
- 84
- 85
- 86
- 87
- 88
- 89
- 90
- 91
- 92
- 93
- 94
- 95
- 96
- 97
- 98
- 99
- 100
- 101
- 102
- 103
- 104
- 105
- 106
- 107
- 108
- 109
- 110
- 111
- 112
- 113
- 114
- 115
- 116
- 117
- 118
- 119
- 120
- 121
- 122
- 123
- 124
- 125
- 126
- 127
- 128
- 129
