Admin
18 Oct, 2013
Defence regarding SA presence in the CAR
Open letter to Chairperson of Standing Committee on Defence regarding SA presence in the CAR from Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP (UDM President) (3 April 2013) The aforementioned matter has reference. The history of what occurred since that fateful weekend in Bangui, in the Central African Republic (CAR), where 13 South African servicemen lost their lives and another 27 were injured, is well documented. We however keep hearing conflicting reports of South Africa exiting this area and that the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has actually deployed more troops, and fighter and transport planes to the region. Allegations of Chad and France’s involvement in the military action compound matters. In addition there are still questions about who gave the rebels safe passage, and also access to the capital and South Africa’s base. Who equipped and funded their mission? The leader of the rebels, and the new CAR President, Michel Djotodia, has indicated that he will ask France and the United States to help retrain CAR’s “ill-disciplined” army that was “so easily overrun” by the rebels and they will review “resource deals”. It is reported that French troops patrol Bangui’s streets ostensibly to protect French citizens, assets and diplomatic installations. In addition to their national interests, we hear that France was or is protecting our remaining troops confined at the Bangui airport. On what grounds? If this is genuine protection by the French troops, why are there pictures of Seleka rebels driving around in South African vehicles? At first glance our soldiers were caught in a political crossfire and it appears as if France did not take kindly to former President Bozizé giving mineral rights to South Africa and China. The United Democratic Movement (UDM) recommends that after this humiliation of our Defence Force, our foreign policy and our country, it would be better to make an immediate tactical withdrawal. Should South Africa have a desire to re-enter this stage, it must be a sanctioned resolution of the African Union or the United Nations, especially since the bilateral agreement with our former “friend” is defunct because he is no longer in power. The UDM suggests that South Africa swallows its pride, come home to lick our wounds and start afresh. Parliament would have failed its oversight duty if it does not endorse a need to establish a commission inquiry to ascertain, amongst other things, exactly which South African assets, as mentioned by the Minister of Defence, needed the protection of the SANDF. Such an inquiry would clarify the confusion that was created when the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation (Deputy-Minister Ebrahim) said that the SANDF was deployed to protect the former CAR president (Operation Morero) versus what the Minister of Defence and the Presidency said about training operations only, with no mention of the protection of the former president. The Inquiry will also help to verify whether there had in fact been any training conducted by the SANDF in that Country over the last two years. Yours sincerely, Bantu Holomisa, MP President of the United Democratic Movement
Admin
18 Oct, 2013
Investigation needed: the protection of South African national assets
Open letter to Secretary General of the United Nations regarding international investigation needed: South Africa’s relationship with the Central African Republic and the protection of South African national assets from Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP (UDM President) (28 March 2013) Dear Sir The abovementioned matter has reference. I write on behalf of the United Democratic Movement (UDM), an opposition party in the parliament of the Republic of South Africa (RSA) (www.udm.org.za). The current situation with South Africa’s military presence in the Central African Republic (CAR) has caused some embarrassment for our country, when a number of our military personnel lost their lives to protect so-called South African assets, amongst others. The South African National Defence Force’s (SANDF) presence in the CAR was justified by our government saying that it was honouring an agreement, reached in 2007, to protect President François Bozizé, and to train military personnel in that country. What has now come to light, after this tragic loss of life, is that South Africa’s presence in the CAR was not only to protect President Bozizé and to train personnel. In fact, there seems to be a generally corrupt relationship emerging between South Africa and President Bozizé’s regime. South Africans were deceived about the nature of this relationship and the reason for our troops being sent to the CAR. To this day, our government refuses to take the nation in confidence and explain in unambiguous terms what the nature of this relationship is and which South African assets were to be protected. Today’s Mail & Guardian, a South African newspaper, has revealed that (as early as April 2006) a co-operation agreement was signed between the RSA and the CAR in the defence, minerals and energy sectors (http://mg.co.za/article/2013-03-28-00-central-african-republic-is-this-what-our-soldiers-died-for). Given that South Africa is a member of the UN and as such, there is the potential that this situation will negatively affect our future participation in peacekeeping missions, we appeal to the UN to institute a commission of inquiry. We suggest that such an inquiry should have wide terms of reference, where all countries involved must explain what the true state of affairs is. The pertinent questions: a. What were the reasons for South Africa to enter into a cooperation agreement with the CAR in 2006/7? b. What were the reasons for the five-year extension of the agreement in December 2012? c. What are the details of the South African assets that needed protection? d. Are there any documents conferring mineral rights to South Africa and its businesspersons? e. Does South Africa still own those mineral rights and if not, to whom were they sold and for how much? f. Who benefitted from the proceeds of such transactions if any i.e. South African National Treasury, individuals and/or political parties? g. Was there any collaboration between South Africa, the UN and the African Union with this mission? h. Was there an entry-and-exit strategy for the South African troops? i. Were South Africans only there to train, refurbish bases or to stand guard as alleged by the troops themselves? j. Who exactly was involved in the contact i.e. CAR government troops, and/or RSA troops and/or the Séléka rebel alliance and what are the details? k. Who resourced and trained the Séléka rebel alliance and with what motive? This request to intervene is necessitated by the fact that our government’s leadership has been compromised. It is reported that the ruling party, its senior leaders and its business investment arms are involved in pillaging the resources of the CAR. Of interest to the people of South Africa is which assets were so important to protect that justified the spending of billions of Rands of State funds and the careless loss of our soldier’s lives. Yours sincerely Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP UDM President
Admin
18 Oct, 2013
Condolences to the Sigcau Family and the Pondo Nation with the passing of King Thandizulu Sigcau
Letter of condolences to the Sigcau Family and the Pondo Nation with the passing of King Thandizulu Sigcau from Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP (UDM President) (27 March 2013) It is with sadness that we have learnt of the passing of His Majesty, King Thandizulu Sigcau. But given his struggle with his health in the past few years, he will at least now be free of pain and discomfort. I had the privilege of working with His Majesty during our time in the former Transkei. Then, and after that period, King Sigcau was a keen campaigner for the development of his people and his kingdom. He worked hard to protect the dignity of traditional leadership in the Eastern Cape and the heritage of the AmaMpondo. We know that his passing came at a time where the AmaMpondo is grappling with difficult issues and he will be missed in finding solutions that the benefit the entire Pondo Nation. To his wife, children and grandchild, we think of you in this time of sorrow and will keep you in our hearts and minds. Bon voyage Faku. Bantu Holomisa, MP President of the United Democratic Movement (UDM)
Admin
18 Oct, 2013
Which South African ‘assets’ needs protection in the Central African Republic
Open letter to Chairpersons of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committees on Defence and Military Veterans of Intelligence of International Relations and Cooperation about “Which South African ‘assets’ needs protection in the Central African Republic” from Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP (UDM President) (26 March 2013) Given the seriousness of the tragic death of our soldiers in the Central African Republic, (CAR) and that this is a matter of public interest, I would suggest that the Parliamentary Portfolio Committees of Defence and International Relations and Cooperation have a urgent joint session to get to the bottom of why the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) was deployed in the CAR. There has been conflicting reports from the Presidency, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation and the Department of Defence and Military Veterans on the reasons for South Africa to have a military presence in the CAR. We first heard that there had been an agreement between our two countries entered into in 2007 for Operations Morero and Vimbesela. The former, we were told, was for a unit of the SANDF Special Forces to be deployed in the CAR to provide VIP protection to President Bozizé. Operation Vimbesela involved the refurbishment of the military bases and the training of military personnel of that country. After this weekend’s tragedy, the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, denied that our troops were in the CAR to protect President Bozizé. She did however admit that they were there to “protect South African assets”. If nothing else is clear, it is that our Government is speaking from different mouths and no-one really knows what is going on. Or, between the Presidency and the relevant ministers no one is telling us what the real reasons are. The only way to find out the truth is for the Portfolio Committees of International Relations and Defence to urgently have a joint sitting and demand that the Presidency and the relevant ministers come to sort out the confusion. In preparing for this meeting, these Departments must give: a) Background on the reasons for entering into a cooperation agreement with the CAR in 2007. b) Reasons for the five-year extension of the agreement in December 2012. c) Details on which assets the SANDF were to protect. d) Any documents conferring mineral rights to South Africa. e) Information on whether South Africa still owns those mineral rights and if not, to whom they were sold and for how much. f) Information on to whom the proceeds of these transactions were paid i.e. Treasury, individuals and/or political parties. The Department of Defence should also give information regarding the state of readiness of our troops deployed in the CAR. Reports suggest that intelligence showed early this year that the rebels were ready to advance on the capital, Bangui, but the tragedy that played out over the weekend suggests that the SANDF was unprepared for this scenario. The Nation was told, in January, that 400 troops were to be sent to the CAR to protect the SANDF instructors; the question is why was half of that held back? It is incumbent upon Parliament, and the relevant Portfolio Committees, to play its oversight role and expose the truth. This matter is urgent; we cannot accept the current explanations of what is going on. South Africans are in the dark about what circumstances led to the deployment of our service men and women in the CAR. Yours sincerely Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP President of the United Democratic Movement
Admin
18 Oct, 2013
The questionable conduct of the intelligence services: IEC lease agreements
Open letter to Siyabonga Cwele, Minister of Intelligence about the questionable conduct of the intelligence services: IEC lease agreements from Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP (UDM President) (8 March 2013) The above mentioned matter has reference. On the 3rd of October 2011, I wrote a letter to the office of the Public Protector requesting it to investigate suspected irregularities in the lease agreements of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC). Afterwards I had a few meetings with the Public Protector, Advocate Thuli Madonsela to discuss progress. She sensitised us about her workload, but undertook to expedite the process. While still awaiting feedback from the Public Protector’s office, on the 27th of November 2012, I received an unclassified letter from Ms N.G. Bam, the Acting Director of the Domestic Branch of the State Security Agency of South Africa stating that: “Pursuant to media reports regarding alleged irregularities at the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), the state Security Agency (SSA) hereby requests a meeting with you to further discuss the matter at your earliest convenience. The State Security Agency views media reports surrounding the IEC in a serious light hence we request to engage with you.” I did not respond to Ms Bam’s letter due to reasons outlined below. Yesterday two officials from your Department, Mr Sello Motaung and Mr Mphuthumi Jekem, visited my office in Pretoria and asked for feedback on Ms Bam’s letter. Unfortunately, I was busy with Parliamentary work at the time of their visit. This morning I phoned Mr Jekem to follow-up on their visit. He told me that they had discussions with IEC Chairperson, Advocate Pansy Tlakula about my complaint to the Public Protector and are now interested to hear my side of the story. I refused to discuss the matter with him because it is still under investigation. There is something about this meeting request that does not sit well with me. Firstly, on what basis does your Department want conduct a parallel investigation? Secondly, if you “view matters surrounding the IEC on a serious light”, why do you not approach the institution that is busy investigating the matter for information? I am wondering whether this is not a precursor of how Government is going to operate once the Information Bill becomes law. I therefore call on your office to investigate this questionable conduct. Yours sincerely, Bantu Holomisa, MP UDM President
Admin
18 Oct, 2013
Follow-up letter on suspected irregularities: IEC lease agreements
Open letter to the Public Protector, Adv T Madonsela, from Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP (UDM President), regarding: Follow-up letter on suspected irregularities: IEC lease agreements (21 February 2012) Dear Advocate Madonsela The abovementioned matter has reference. On the 3rd of October 2011, I wrote a letter requesting the office of the Public Protector to investigate suspected irregularities in the lease agreements of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC). I again wrote on 14 March 2012, almost a year ago, to make follow on the request. Some time thereafter we met at your offices in Pretoria, on 9 July 2012, to discuss progress. You sensitised us about your workload, but had undertaken to expedite the process. On 8 October 2012 you wrote to explain that your investigation team had been in the process of verifying information and investigating matters with other relevant role-players. The report was not ready. The delays in finalising this investigation raises concern; as it stands the matter has been with the Public Protector’s office for more than a year. Would you please give an indication of when you expect to finalise this investigation and publish your report. Yours sincerely Banmtu Holomisa, MP President of the United Democratic Movement
Admin
18 Oct, 2013
Lonmin Mine’s September 2012 salary increase agreement
Open letter to Mr Simon Scott, CEO of Lonmin Mine about Lonmin Mine’s September 2012 salary increase agreement from Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP (UDM President) (4 February 2013) The abovementioned matter has reference. In September last year the Management of Lonmin’s Marikana mine reportedly promises a pay rise offer of 22% to its mineworkers, ending six weeks of violent labour unrest that had devastating effects on the South African economy. However, nearly four months since this agreement was reached, I am inundated with calls from the mineworkers complaining about the fact the 22% salary increase is yet to reflect on their payslips. Mineworkers claim that they are still paid in accordance with the old salary agreement. It is common knowledge that respecting contractual agreements brings about trust and mutual respect in the workplace. However, the fact that the mineworkers already feel that the Management of Lonmin Mine does not respect their agreement increases the danger that the mineworkers could go on another wildcat strike, which would be more difficult to resolve because trust between the two parties would have broken down irrevocably. The United Democratic Movement (UDM) therefore calls on the Management of Lonmin Mine to look into and address the concerns of the mineworkers at its Marikana mine. Regards, Bantu Holomisa, MP UDM President
Admin
18 Oct, 2013
Calling on the SACC to intervene in the looming mining sector crisis
Open letter to Reverend Mautjie Pataki Secretary of the South African Council of churches (SACC) calling on the SACC to intervene in the looming mining sector crisis from Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP (UDM President) (17 January 2013) I write this letter to ask for the South African Council of Churches’s (SACC’s) intervention in Anglo American’s plan to restructure its platinum mines, which will result in the retrenchment of thousands of mineworkers. I have over the past few days said that this will have devastating consequences for our people and the South African economy at large. There is widespread belief that these retrenchments are nothing other than a calculated strategy to get rid of the mineworkers who were involved in the wildcat strikes in the mining sector last year. There is also belief that this is an attempt to purge all the workers who have left the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) for rival unions. Apparently, this is to reward NUM for its docility and pliant conduct by protecting its status as the biggest union in the mining sector. The South African Council of Churches played a leading role in the resolution of the industrial dispute in the mining sector last year. We are therefore calling on the SACC to again intervene in the looming retrenchments in the platinum sector We further call on you to request a meeting with President Zuma to ask him to put an end to the crisis in the mining sector, as the threats of mineworker retrenchments were brought to the attention of Government as early as last year. The SACC should request the South African Chamber of Mines to share with the public the extent of the losses the mines incurred during the wildcat strikes. A committee of experts should then be tasked to scrutinise and verify the figures for the public in order to dispel any suspicion of hidden agendas. In the event that the mines incurred losses during the period in question, we should propose that Government gives bailout packages to the sector. However, the sector should be expected to pay back these packages as soon as its financial position improves. Kind Regards, Bantu Holomisa, MP UDM President
Admin
17 Apr, 2013
Memo to Premier of the Eastern Cape to accept 17 April marchers’ petition
Open memo to Premier of the Eastern Cape to request her office to make a representative available to accept 17 April marchers’ petition from Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP On Wednesday, 17 April 2013, there will be a peaceful march in Mthatha by the people of the OR Tambo Region to express their disappointment and frustration with the poor state of infrastructure and lack of development in their cities and towns. Although the United Democratic Movement is facilitating the event on behalf of the people, this is a march of South Africans from across the OR Tambo Region who wish to express their dissatisfaction with the state of affairs in their area. The necessary permits and permissions have been obtained from the King Sabata Dalindyebo traffic police and the South African Police Services. We kindly request that your office sends a representative to receive the list of complaints at 12:00 at the Botha Sigcau Building in Mthatha. Bantu Holomisa, MP UDM President
