Admin
05 Aug, 1998
Tobacco Law: another example of the ANC’s inability to produce effective laws
Statement by UDM President The intervention by President Nelson Mandela in an attempt to save the South African Formula One Grand Prix and an estimated R400 million in foreign investment is a clear indication of the ANC producing ineffective and unworkable laws. How can the ANC government consider the effective implementation of this law if only days after cabinet passed it, then the President needs to intervene? The UDM supports the enforcement of smoke free public areas and no one can argue that everything possible must not be done to enforce the ban of sales to minors. That smoking is a health risk one does not argue with either. Nevertheless, just how ill considered Zuma’s Tobacco Law is, is illustrated by the forced intervention of President Mandela. Not only must the freedom of choice and the effect that this law will have on the employment provided by this industry be considered, but one also needs to question the process of arriving at the law and the research that went into this law. Did government for one moment consider the effect that this law will have on the sponsorship of numerous sporting events and the development of sport in general? Is the President going to intervene every time that such an event comes under threat as a result of this law, if not, why then this preferential action by President Mandela? Actions where the President and senior officials of the ANC enter secret discussions also make this law very vulnerable to corruption and manipulation by those in power. This type of action reminds one of the days when a minister instead of parliament ran government. The UDM calls for the suspension of this law until proper consultation with labour, the industry and those benefiting from sponsorships have been conducted. It is ironic that in a country where abortion is legalized, the death penalty scrapped that government in the case of smoking sees itself as the moral guardian of society.
Admin
26 Apr, 1998
UDM on opposition alliances
Statement by Co-leaders of the UDM With possible alliance pacts between the opposition parties strongly back on the political agenda, certain basic principles regarding alliances need to be revisited. The mere forming of an alliance between the opposition parties (DP/NP, NP/IFP, DP/IFP or DP/NP/IFP) will not change the political landscape of the country. Such an alliance, whether it is a “loose alliance” (each party with its own structure and lists) or a more “formal alliance” (one manifesto and candidate list), it will not attract one single vote from the ANC constituency. All that it would mean is that one will pool all the current votes of opposition parties. That will not erode the power base of the ANC. The UDM indicated even before its launch that it believes that South Africans are looking for something new, that all the current political parties as they are represented in parliament reflects in one way or the other apartheid. The UDM in working on grassroots level experience a need by South Africans to break loose from the current racial divides of South African politics. South Africans are looking towards the future, they need a vision, and they want to build this country. What is even more evident is the fact that they want to do this together, as one nation. A recent Markinor survey indicated that the UDM is growing and that it is growing at the expense of the ANC majority. The UDM truly reflects the South African nation, 72% black, 16% white, 8% coloured and 4% Indian. Analysts indicated that they believe the only real threat to the ANC is the UDM. The UDM will gain nothing by getting into bed with any of the current opposition political parties. The UDM, in national interest, would however invite opposition parties who are serious about the realignment of South African politics to disband themselves. This should take place at an opposition party convention where new leadership should be elected for the new formation. This should be done with all parties taking on an equal role and placing national interest first and personal or party agendas should not determine the agenda of such a convention. The UDM, though the fastest growing party in the country, in the interest of the real realignment of South African politics, would be willing to be part of such an exercise. The UDM remains firm in its belief that that would be the only, lasting way to truly redefine South African politics.
Admin
26 Apr, 1998
Kriel se uitlatings getuig van ongemak
Statement by Co-leader of the UDM Die uitlatings van Hernus Kriel dat die Nasionale Party deur “kinders” verteenwoordig is gedurende die onderhandeling, is nie veel meer as ‘n bittere laaste salvo nie. Die feit is dat Hernus Kriel te alle tye deel van die onderhandelings was net soos alle ander kabinetslede. Hy het ‘n gesamentlike verantwoordlikheid gehad oor dit wat onderhandel is, nie net wat sy eie portefulje betref nie, maar ook wat betref die portefeuljes van ander kabinetsministers. Wie die “kinders” is waarna Hernus verwys is ook onduidelik. Die Nasionale Party is deurgaans verteenwoordig deur senior kabinetslede soos Dawie de Villiers, Leon Wessels en myself. Ons is staatkundig bygestaan deur Fanie van der Merwe en Neil Barnard, tans Direkteur-Generaal van die Wes-Kaap en deur Hernus Kriel in sy huidige posisie aangestel. Die onderhandelingspan het op ‘n weeklikse basis aan die kabinet terug gerapporteer. Nie een enkele besluit is deur die onderhandelingspan geneem voor die kabinet daartoe ingestem het nie. Hernus Kriel het nooit, hetsy in die kabinet of in Nasionale Party strukture, enige besware geopper nie. Dit opsigself diskwalifiseer hom om nou sulke aantygings te maak. Die inhoud van die Grondwet spreek ook tot die teendeel. Dit blyk dat mense soos Kriel en andere wat hierdie besware het, nog nooit die Grondwet behoorlik gelees het nie. Die Suid-Afrikaanse Grondwet word deur grondwetlike deskundiges regoor die wêreld bestempel as ‘n model grondwet. Ek is trots om deel daarvan te kon wees. Daar moet egter wel onderskei word tussen die bepalings in die Grondwet en die wyse waarop die land regeer word. Die feit dat die ANC ‘n swak regering is en die NP ‘n onvermoë het om ‘n behoorlike opposisie te wees het niks te doen met die bepalings in die grondwet nie. Die oplossing daarvoor, en dit is waarmee ek my steeds besig hou, terwyl Kriel en andere die politieke toneel en hul eie sinkende skip verlaat, is om ‘n alternatief vir die ANC regering te skep. Die vordering wat die UDM maak, en die aanklank wat die UDM onder alle Suid Afrikaners het, bevestig dat Suid Afrikaners ‘n diepliggende behoefte het na ‘n nuwe alternatief wat weer die hoop in die harte kan aanvuur.
Admin
24 Apr, 1998
Sixty ANC members arrested and charged after intimidation of UDM members
Statement by National Deputy-Secretary The ANC branch in Klipplaat, Eastern Cape, on 23 April 1998 actively intimidated UDM members and supporters. Under the leadership of Mr. Hans Human, the ANC informed UDM supporters that their houses would be taken from them since it was “provided” by the ANC. Residents were further told that only those who will vote for the ANC will have food in their houses. UDM supporters requested permission for a protest march against the mismanagement by the ANC local council. Permission was granted and in reaction, the ANC occupied the local police station. The UDM wants to call on the ANC to distance themselves from these types of actions by their supporters and officials. Disciplinary actions should be taken against those involved. The UDM believes that incidents of intimidation hold no good for the 1999 elections. It is just not good enough that the ANC talk reconciliation, wish for loyal opposition, but does not allow the most basic freedom of choice by the electorate. The UDM will not tolerate acts of intimidation against our supporters. We will highlight each and every incident. We will record and report such incidents. Democracy is founded on the very basic right of choice.
Admin
04 Nov, 1997
ANC allegations against Holomisa
Statement by Bantu Holomisa The ANC has now, as I predicted yesterday, accused the UDM and me of all sorts of anti-democratic activities in Gauteng, and specifically Phola Park. The UDM, and Holomisa, reject these accusations in the strongest possible terms for the utter nonsense they represent. The UDM is a political party, striving to establish and foster democracy, not to demolish it. The ANC knows this, and their present attempts at disinformation are as blatant as they are manifestations of a growing sense of panic leading to shortsighted and foolish decisions. I am still awaiting an answer on my letter to President Mandela. The recent accusations by ANC members, have established an even greater urgency to the letter and the need for a satisfying response.
