Admin
28 Sep, 2018
Bathabile Dlamini should be shown the door
We have noted that the Constitutional Court has handed down judgement in the former Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini case. The United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation (UDEMWO) has been vindicated. Our longstanding view has been that the minister must face the music and that she should personally be held liable for creating this mess. We therefore welcome the decision that she should pay 20% of the Black Sash and Freedom Under Law’s legal costs. The South African Social Security Agency disaster has caused much damage to, and distress for, the recipients of government grants. As a matter of fact, it would be difficult to calculate the cost of the damage she’s done to the most vulnerable members of our society. It is her incompetence and self-centred attitude that has led her to this point. She will only leave a legacy of self-importance and ineptitude in her former department, which she will only carry over to her current portfolio. Dlamini is arrogant and has no respect for her work nor for the law; as she has demonstrated when she lied with a straight face under oath. The UDEMWO calls upon the National Prosecuting Authority to forge ahead and charge her for perjury. The ruling party is to be blamed for this mess as it continues to put corrupt and selfish individuals in positions of power. President Ramaphosa must show Dlamini the door; and he should do this immediately. This country cannot afford this kind of incompetence and negligence from any minister in any portfolio; Dlamini should go! Issued by: Thandi Nontenja UDEMWO Secretary General
Admin
11 Aug, 2017
Something is seriously wrong: Aviwe Jam Jam is dead and Deputy Minister Manana is out on bail?
Statement issued by Thandi Nontenja – UDEMWO Secretary General The United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation (UDEMWO) is disturbed by reports of yet another female murder victim: young Capetonian Ms Aviwe Jam-Jam. Her name has been added to the ever-lengthening list of woman victims of violence and crime in South Africa. The fact that her body was found dumped at a sport field, not very far from her home, rubs salt into an already raw national wound. Like most women caught in an abusive cycle, Aviwe had – according to a relative – tried to get away from her allegedly abusive boyfriend who seems to be suspected of her murder. It is alleged that her boyfriend had a reputation for violence and destruction of property, yet nothing was done. The system has failed young Aviwe! On the disgraceful actions of Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training Mduduzi Manana, UDEMWO believes that neither the response of ruling party, nor Police Ministry, nor the police services, is vaguely commensurate to the nature of what happened. The Women’s League’s lukewarm reaction to the situation is a condemnation of the women at its helm. Ms Bathabile Dlamini and Ms Baleka Mbete, spends all their time protecting their irredeemable Mr Zuma. You are focusing on the wrong man ladies! Have you no backbone? Deputy Minister Manana is a public leader who should be the daily embodiment of the campaign against gender-violence, for when a prominent South African man makes himself guilty of gender violence, it makes it easy for the ordinary man to follow his example. UDEMWO feels that the Honourable Deputy-Minister has been (and still is) accorded special status when he was not cuffed and arrested. It is hogwash to argue that his actions were “not so bad”. No matter how Police Minister Fikile Mbabula tries to spin the situation, his colleague is getting special treatment. We urge the state prosecutors to not spare Deputy Minister Manana because of his status and the magistrate should throw the book at him. UDEMWO believes that gender equality lies in transforming the balance of power between men and women and therefore urges all women to continue to campaign for our rights. Women, shout to the rafters that we are not the convenient punching bags or the sex slaves of some immoral men. Gone are the days where women endured abuse at the hands of their male counterparts, but they had no voice. End
Admin
14 Mar, 2017
SA Social Agency’s grant payment crisis and the steps taken to deal with the matter
Honourable Speaker, and Honourable Members South Africans and, in particular, the poorest of the poor (whose livelihood by right) depend on social grants, must now place their hopes on the Constitutional Court to defend their rights and restore their dignity. The Constitutional Court must force our embarrassed government to pay the beneficiaries and to do so on time. Under normal circumstances, this matter should have been occasioned by an investigation of a judicial commission of inquiry. However, knowing who has to effect such an inquiry, we may as well forget about it. Hence, all hope is pinned on the Constitutional Court. The United Democratic Movement hopes that the Constitutional Court will issue a judgement that will restore the rule of law instead of a rule by law, wherein the powers of the accounting officers will be respected and the political interference by the executive authorities will become a thing of the past. The unscrupulous manipulation by politicians and the reported interference by the advisors of the President and the Minister of Social Development, undermining the role of appointed officials, is a clear demonstration of an irreparably corrupt government. The political directives that are interfering with the procurement processes are in fact corrupt transactions. It is the same Minister who, when her colleagues drove cars to a funeral of a late senior commander of uMkhonto we Sizwe in Willowvale, flew in a helicopter accompanied by the beneficiaries of the Cash Paymaster Services (CPS) contract. “Who hired this helicopter?” I asked myself, as I was present at the funeral and saw at the spectacular landing. We want answers. I thank you
Admin
08 May, 2015
Letter by Mr LB Gaehler, MP to the Minister of Social Development regarding concerns about abuse of child grants – Hillcrest, Mthatha, Eastern Cape
Dear Minister of Social Development, Ms B Dlamini CONCERNS ABOUT ABUSE OF CHILD GRANTS – HILLCREST, MTHATHA, EASTERN CAPE 1. The above matter has reference. 2. Numerous reports have been given to me verbally about the abuse child grants in Hillcrest suburb in Mthatha Eastern Cape. 3. It is alleged that many of the people who receives child grant are not using them in accordance with the relevant prescripts and as such children are not attending school and not fed properly. 4. I humbly request your good office to investigate this matter and where possible bring sustainable solution by enforcing the application of the relevant regulations. 5. We await your kind intervention. Yours sincerely, Mr LB Gaehler, MP United Democratic Movement NCOP – EC
