Admin
18 Sep, 2020
Ivanplats: a community tragedy in waiting
The United Democratic Movement (UDM) in Mogalakwena is deeply saddened by the tragedy that took place early this week at an Ivanplats owned mine in Mokopane, which has rocked our entire community. As we keep those families in our thoughts, we are also concerned for this entire community who solely depend on Ivanplats’ Platreef Project to keep food on the table and care for their children. Since the beginning of the year, we have several times seen the mineworkers and the people of Mogalakwena marching on Ivanplats as there are on-going problems, mainly around unfair retrenchments. Another of our concerns is the community’s feeling that the company retrenches locals, yet it continues to employ outsiders. There are lingering allegations that mining on that site is illegal and the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy must give definitive leadership on that score. The UDM in Mogalakwena therefore appeals to Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy to promptly step in to resolve the various conflicts regarding mining in the area to avoid an escalation in community unhappiness, as well as the related acts of civil disobedience that ordinarily follows. This has been going on long enough. – end – Issued by: Mr Pholotsi Samuel Mahlabela UDM Chairperson of Mogalakwena Municipality
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07 Aug, 2020
SADC must intervene in Zimbabwe
Part of the Southern African Development Community’s (SADC) common agenda is the consolidation and maintenance of democracy, peace and security in the region. The protests, abductions of government critics and the prevailing rhetoric are exacerbating instability in Zimbabwe and its neighbouring countries continue to be affected as Zimbabweans keep on fleeing their country in search of safety and relief from their economic circumstances. As matters stand, the United Democratic Movement (UDM) calls on SADC to intervene and assist Zimbabweans to find a solution to the crisis that is intensifying in their country. In addition, we call on all political leaders in Zimbabwe, who have a responsibility to deescalate the tensions before matters go beyond finding a peaceable solution, to act in a sober manner. There is also no place for intractable stances, and they must be willing to find solutions amongst them all and to act in the best interest of their country and her people. There have also been continued reports of attacks on Zimbabweans, who have fled to neighbouring countries as tensions caused by the scarcity of resources in those countries escalate. The UDM calls for tolerance amongst Africans, especially in these challenging times where we all face the Coronavirus pandemic. Issued by: Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP UDM President
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09 Jul, 2020
Call on the IEC to host a meeting for political parties to debate South Africa’s democratic ideals, electoral reform and the impact of Covid-19 on elections
Mr Glen Mashinini Chair of the Electoral Commission Private Bag X112 Centurion 0046 Dear Mr Mashinini Call on the IEC to host a meeting for political parties to debate South Africa’s democratic ideals, electoral reform and the impact of Covid-19 on elections 1. The United Democratic Movement (UDM) has had in-depth internal discussions around two critical matters that have already impacted on, and will still impact, the way that South Africa practices democracy and runs elections. One is of course the Constitutional Court’s judgment that the Electoral Act 73 of 1998 (‘the Electoral Act’) is unconstitutional in so far as it requires candidates to contest national and provincial elections only as members of political parties and, the other, the impact that Covid-19 is having, and will have, on future elections. 2. We have also noted the opinions of some political parties on electoral reform, as well as that of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), expressed in the media. 3. One such item is the notion of combining national, provincial and local government elections, especially given the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the IEC’s preparations for the 2021 Local Government Elections and what an election would look like – in a little more than a year from now – with the uncertainty around our continued journey with the Coronavirus. Combining our elections will require constitutional changes and the practicality of somehow altering the five-year election cycles to achieve synchronicity, and the impact it will have on democracy, must be carefully considered. 4. The UDM has long been of the view that changes to our electoral system is indeed needed and the opportunity has presented itself, no matter how it was precipitated, to have earnest debate around public representatives’ accountability to the electorate and whether South Africa’s purely proportional system is the right tool to ensure that. 5. But to our minds, the most important change necessary is the need to have voters directly elect their president of the country, as is the case in many established democracies across the globe. The UDM believes that South Africa’s president should be directly elected by her people, and be held accountable to them, instead of the around 3,000 delegates at a party congress choosing a party president to be foisted onto an entire nation. 6. It is necessary to have a structured debate around these issues and it is imperative that we, as political parties, must formally engage as primary stakeholders of the IEC and South Africa’s democratic processes. 7. Given the complexities of the matters on the table, we must start the debate now in order to (if there is consensus that changes to our electoral systems are necessary and will achieve greater democracy) amend the Constitution, the Electoral Act and the Municipal Electoral Act 27 of 2000 and the attending regulations. 8. The UDM therefore calls on the Electoral Commission to urgently host a formal debate, maybe in a virtual hybrid format, where political parties can officially table their policies on the matter of electoral reform so that we can chart the way forward. Time is of the essence. Yours sincerely Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP UDM President Copied to the leaders of all political parties and the people of South Africa
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30 Jun, 2020
Loss of used Covid-19 test kits near Mdantsane is proof of an uncaring ANC government
Health MEC Sindiswa Gomba and the entire Eastern Cape African National Congress (ANC) leadership simply do not care about the lives of the poor and its nauseating. The only time they pretend to care for the people they claim to represent is when they need their votes, thereafter the people are left to their own devices. The fact that, yesterday, hundreds of used Covid-19 test kits were found lying in the veld near Mdantsane in the Eastern Cape, is shocking beyond belief. Anything could have happened if not for an informed Good Samaritan who noticed the used test kits scattered next to the N2 highway. What if this is not the only place were these kits were lost? What if children pick them up and play with them? Besides that, if what reports say are true, they represent at least 500 people who are awaiting their Covid-19 test results, but they will have to be redone as these kits have now been environmentally compromised. Worse still, who is to say that all the kits that were indeed found, comprises the entire load that was seemingly on route to Port Elizabeth? How exactly did the kits get inside the veld? They surely would have been lying shattered on the tarmac if this was indeed an honest mistake. UDEMWO calls on the Eastern Cape Health Department to immediately launch an investigation into how those test kits were lost in the first instance and more importantly, put measures in place to prevent this kind of thing from ever happening again. Issued by: Ms Thandi Nontenja UDEMWO Secretary General
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09 Jun, 2020
Schools are going to be major coronavirus transmission centres
Schools opened yesterday and the United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation (UDEMWO) is outraged at government’s willingness to risk the lives of school pupils and teachers. It was quickly reported that Gauteng alone had 38 schools with coronavirus infections and the Western Cape had 55; which is the epicentre of this deadly enemy at the moment. Three weeks ago, UDEMWO warned the Department of Education not to open schools until it is safe. We have pleaded with Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga to act as a parent, yet she chose not to. UDEMWO is aware of a learner at Woodhill College (Pretoria) who tested positive for Covid-19, thus endangering all the came into contact with that learner. We are also in possession of a letter from West Bank High School (East London), where a learner whose parent tested positive and the school was forced to send back home all grade 7 learners until further notice. UDEMWO calls on the Department of Basic Education and the National Coronavirus Command Council to urgently review this decision, even if it means that the current academic year must be revised. South Africa cannot afford this kind of negligence, young lives are at stake and not all immune systems can fight this disease; think of pupils in rural areas where there is no clean water and poor toilet facilities. If schooling continues, the worst is yet to come where coronavirus infections are concerned. Issued by: Ms Thandi Nontenja UDEMWO Secretary General
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22 May, 2020
Covid-19 and government: a worst nightmare for women and children
The United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation (UDEMWO) is deeply perturbed by how life is turning out for many South Africans, especially women, as we daily hear of large numbers of retrenchments, due to the Covid-19 lockdown. This is hitting very hard in the cases of sole family-breadwinners. It was recently reported that there is a spike in child abandonment, which is attributed to the desperate choices of parents who are in the throes of financial hardship as the country experiences unimpeded job losses. According to Premier David Makhura, Gauteng, on its own, may lose about two million jobs, which means that child abandonment will likely increase. As much as it is good that abused women and children can contact the Gender-Based Violence Command Centre for assistance, children could be far more vulnerable as they have less resources, emotionally and physically, to make that life-saving call. UDEMWO is also worried that the government departments, which are supposed to look after South Africa’s most vulnerable, are failing them dismally. The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) is the worst of them all, with shoddy service and poor communication around processes and forms. In addition, Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu seems to not have her facts straight as she recently appealed for the distribution of food-parcels to not be politicised, yet this is exactly what the ruling party is being accused of lately, with evidence of this floating all over social media. There is something very wrong with this entire picture, as government seems to not realise how its inefficient systems are negatively affecting the poorest of the poor, who are fighting for their very existence. Government is not providing effective leadership and services where this is concerned. Issued by: Ms Thandi Nontenja UDEMWO Secretary General
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12 May, 2020
Unfair food parcel distribution: the ANC’s greediness is worrisome
The United Democratic Movement is disheartened by how government and SASSA are keeping quiet about African National Congress (ANC) officials, members and/or councillors unfairly distributing food parcels to the needy in various communities throughout South Africa. In some areas, food parcels are given to people along party affiliation. The ANC’s inhumane greediness is worrisome, as it is now common to read or hear about ruling party leaders, members and/or councillors being implicated in food-parcel corruption, with very little said or done by the party to stop this. The video circulating on social media of the deputy speaker of Mpumalanga’s provincial legislature, Vusi Mkhatshwa, delivering food parcels to his house is a total disgrace, especially since he is a senior government official. The ruling party by its own admission had agreed in many platforms that cadre deployment is not taking the country forward, yet it continues to allow its members to play crucial roles in our society, like distributing food parcels, during this challenging time of the Covid-19 pandemic. As a result, members of our communities are starving, yet, the state has done nothing to address this problem. The UDM calls on President Ramaphosa, and the ruling party, to take the nation into confidence about the numbers of government officials, ANC leaders, members or councillors that have been found wanting and also indicate what steps have been taken against them. The UDM is afraid that if no steps are taken against the suspected culprits, the R500 billion secured to flatten the curve of the Covid-19 pandemic will go down the drain, just like what happened with some of the funds that were meant to assist with the funeral of our world icon, former President Nelson Mandela. Once bitten, twice shy. Issued By: Mr Bongani Msomi UDM Secretary General
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25 Apr, 2020
UDM’s reaction Finance Minister’s briefing on the economic stimulus package
The United Democratic Movement (UDM) has listened with interest to the details that Finance Minister Tito Mboweni announced as part of South Africa’s response to the economic havoc the Coronavirus has wrought. He appears to have clarity of thought with regards to the economic policy interventions required, but the proof will be in the pudding where execution is concerned. The UDM is pleased to hear that the South Africa Reserve Bank (SARB) has been tasked to play a more central role in the R200 billion loan guarantee scheme. This is in line with our view that the SARB has a critical role to play in providing facilities to commercial banks in order for them to use such facilities for targeted sectors of the economy, such as small and medium enterprises, as part of a broader “Coronavirus Pandemic Response Programme”. We however reiterate our view that there still is scope for an expansionary monetary policy and that the central bank should further reduce the interest rate to provide South Africans with much needed relief. We had earlier suggested that insurers be brought on board, and we therefore welcome Minister Mboweni’s announcement that insurance companies will have to put in place a set of measures so that policy holders are not penalised for missing premium payments. It is however a pity that Minister Mboweni did not consider our suggestion, of a three-month moratorium on bond, car and other loan payments, which the UDM made earlier this week. We still feel that banks are in too much of a position of power as they have the discretion to say no to desperate loan holders who are struggling to meet their payments due to the economic impact of the Coronavirus lockdown. Another aspect the UDM believes should be considered is the fact that South Africans are going to experience serious cash-flow problems and it would be good if, for three months, no debit orders are reversed due to insufficient funds. A stay on bank account closures, due to bad bank account conduct, as well as bank fees would give our people a reprieve. In light of the fact that government will be reprioritising R130 billion within the current budget it is common cause that the minister will have to table a revised budget and we look forward to that. Issued by: Mr Bantu Holomisa UDM President
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22 Apr, 2020
UDM’s reaction to Ramaphosa’s economic stimulus package
The United Democratic Movement (UDM) welcomes the announcements President Cyril Ramaphosa made on government’s plans to temper the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on South African’s lives and stimulate the economy. With this R500 billion stimulus package the government is falling in step with governments around the world, which have embarked on massive fiscal stimulus packages and expansionary monetary policies to counter the negative impact of the Coronavirus on their economies. This is directly in line with the UDM’s long-standing policy that: “Government Must Do More” and get back to the original agenda of addressing the backlogs and imbalances of the past and high levels of inequality in South Africa. We are pleased that SMMEs and the informal sector have been targeted for assistance and growth, and that mention was made of salary and job protection, as well as extended social grants. As is the case in America with the Federal Reserve Bank, we are of the view that the South African Reserve Bank has a critical role to play in providing a pay-cheque protection liquidity facility, and other facilities, to commercial banks so that they can provide loans to small businesses to maintain their payroll during this difficult time. Banks would then provide monthly updates to the Reserve Bank about the number and value of the facilities extended for this purpose. We are of the view that the South African Reserve Bank should introduce similar facilities to commercial banks in order for them to use these facilities for targeted sectors of the economy, as part of the Reserve Bank’s broader “Coronavirus Pandemic Response Programme”. We also believe that there is scope for the central bank to further reduce the interest rate as a way to stimulate the economy. Furthermore, the jobless benefit should also cover freelancers and those who work in the informal sector. In particular, the UDM feels that Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) pay-outs should be handled on a sectoral level and that employers should apply for these pay-outs on behalf of individual employees rather than individual applications clogging up the system. There should also be a three-month moratorium on bond, car and other loan payments, as these are still left to the discretion of commercial banks which are sometimes reluctant to give loan recipients a breather because they use payment profiles and credit records to make their decisions. In the same vein to the UIF scenario, it would make more sense to do this to avoid clogs in the system and people standing in endless queues outside banks in contravention of the stay-at-home regulations and putting themselves in danger of contracting the Coronavirus. A stay on bank account closures and bank fees, due to bad bank account conduct and returned debit orders, is needed. We also think that life insurers should be brought on board to create breathing space for policy holders, by allowing a three-month payment holiday. Once all these relief measures are put in place, and in view of the fact that taxpayers who donate to the Solidarity Fund will be able to claim up to an additional ten percent as a deduction from their taxable income, South Africans will be in a position to contribute to the Solidarity Fund. A call should also be made to all sectors of society, celebrities and private businesses and other arms of the state which have not made a public declaration on contributions, to lead by example, and contribute to the Solidarity Fund. Government must also immediately settle the R7 billion debt owed to its small and medium enterprise service providers, which, beside it being the right thing to do, will serve as a lifeline and important stimulus package for SMMEs. Localisation of our economy is paramount. In light of the Coronavirus crisis we should ensure that during this time all protective equipment is produced and sourced locally. This could be a magnificent project to create jobs in the informal sector and in rural areas, for women in particular. This strategy should be continued post-Coronavirus and our manufacturing industry should be brought up to scratch so that South Africa is less dependent on imported goods and we should not be a dumping ground for other countries. In principle, we support the economic stimulus package as it is good on paper and it is in line with our social democratic values of equality and solidarity as the plan seeks to ensure that our country’s resources are arranged to the greatest benefit of the most vulnerable and the poorest of the poor. The UDM, however, strongly believes that if government had recouped the R500 billion stolen during state capture, South Africa would not have had to stand in the queue for loans from the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, BRICS New Development Bank and the African Development Bank. In addition, we are sceptical of government’s political will and ability to manage South Africa’s finances under the current circumstances. The reason being that, given for instance state capture, it does not have a proven track-record and also, given the extraordinary circumstances created by the Coronavirus pandemic, there are not sufficient checks and balances in place to monitor government’s income and spending. Just now we will need a Coronavirus Commission of Inquiry, post the crisis, which we cannot afford. Time will tell. Issued by: Mr Bantu Holomisa UDM President
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09 Apr, 2020
Holomisa writes to NCCC re COVID-19 lockdown review
Dear Chairperson of the National Coronavirus Command Council IMPORTANT MATTERS TO CONSIDER DURING THE COVID-19 LOCKDOWN REVIEW I wish to thank you for taking us, as political parties and stakeholders in South African society, for the confidence you showed in consulting us regarding the COVID-19 lockdown. We still endorse this critical move to find a lasting solution. We realise that this is a trial-and-error process and in line with your announcement that the decision for a lockdown will be reviewed, I ,yesterday, took it upon myself to do a snapshot survey asking South Africans the following on my social networks: “South African Review of Lockdown. We are past the halfway mark of the 21-day lockdown period and the government is busy reviewing the effectiveness of the lockdown in preventing the spread of Covid-19. Which regulations do you think should be reviewed and why? I intend compiling your suggestions and submit them to the President since he involved us as leaders of political parties right from the beginning in this coronavirus saga. I anticipate that he might consult us once more, if he intends to make changes. All the best.” Please note that, browsing through these comments, people, amongst others, are calling for government to carefully investigate the economic impact of the lockdown, given that the socio-economic conditions of South Africans are remarkably diverse and that no one solution can fit all. I submit these comments as is, but it should go a long way in finding a lasting solution; please see their comments and proposals on Twitter and Facebook. There are a number of well thought through ideas and comments from the people closest to this pandemic. Please also see the attached email from Ms Diane Redelinghuys for some additional suggestions. However, please note that the United Democratic Movement (UDM) is concerned that there are signs of maladministration regarding tenders during this time as evidenced in the City Press article: “Outrage over Gauteng’s 24-hour, R30m express tender” published on 5 April 2020. See also a Sunday Times article of 5 April 2020 “‘Sub-standard sanitisers, masks for soldiers’” and “Soldiers ‘forced’ to patrol streets during lockdown in ‘unsafe gear‘” regarding R10 million that had been spent on allegedly unsafe sanitisers and masks. There are also allegations of a R50 million tender allocated to a certain Kirinox non-profit organisation to provide services for the homeless and street children’s shelters (see the announcement by the Deputy Minister of Social Development on the left). We hear that this NPO has already submitted an invoice for R20 million. Regarding Minister Ndabeni Abrahams’ now infamous visit to Mr Mduduzi Manana’s house during lockdown, the jury is still out as to exactly what was being discussed in a situation where you have a minister and staff of the presidency present, and that the host had the temerity to say that the minister only came to fetch personal protective equipment, as a donation from his foundation. There are legitimate worries that this could be the tip of the iceberg and since Parliament and the provincial legislatures are shut down, there is no level of oversight and monitoring. In addition, people are concerned that there is no mechanism in place where any suspected maladministration and corruption can be reported. The UDM would therefore suggest that a small body be put in place, comprised of representatives of the Human Rights Commission, National Treasury, the Special Investigation Unit, the National Prosecuting Authority, the Auditor General, the Hawks and the police, to monitor government’s tendering processes during this time. This oversight and monitoring body, chaired by a judge, should be given the necessary powers to act, as ministers and deputy-ministers tend to give political directives to accounting officers. Given the history of this country, we cannot rely on the word of ministers and/or deputy-ministers in these matters. We hope that you and your colleagues will take our citizens’ and the UDM’s suggestions on board in the review of the COVID-19 lockdown. Yours sincerely Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP UDM President
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24 Mar, 2020
COVID-19: Holomisa writes to NCCC: “Keep SA clean”
Dear Chairperson of the National Coronavirus Command Council CRITICAL IMPORTANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANLINESS AND HEALTH DURING COVID-19 CRISIS AND LOCKDOWN As I stated at the Union Buildings on 22 March 2020, when the President and some of us as political leaders addressed the nation, the United Democratic Movement (UDM) believes that in order for South Africa to succeed in combating COVID-19, our plan should be guided by discipline, clean environment, speed and control. Even though all the other legs are vital, the UDM believes that a clean environment is of paramount importance. For, whether one lives in the rural villages, townships, informal settlements, cities, towns and even the leafy suburbs, the phenomenon of littering and dumping can be seen all over. As we know, the socioeconomic impacts of a dirty and foul environment run abound. Littering and dumping can promote the transmission of disease and in particular, for example, tyres and containers are perfect for collecting water and provide ideal places for mosquitos to breed, disease carrying rats multiply in these environs and contaminated medical waste can spread diseases. To compound matters, there is already anecdotal evidence that rats are becoming a problem where countries have imposed a Coronavirus lockdown as, for instance, restaurants abandon activity and people leave garbage bags out in the open, which attract rats. Now that the streets are empty of people, rats have come from their hiding places and move around with ease. Waste management in this critical period of our nation’s health should be on all our minds, but especially on that of government. As an essential service, government cannot drop this ball. However, it is not only incumbent on government to do something about environmental health and waste management. We therefore call on the National Coronavirus Command Council to direct our nation to de-litter and clean their environs as a matter of urgency. Shop owners must clear packaging and other waste materials from the backs of their shops and alleyways. Vehicle drivers, especially those in the public transport industry, must ensure that passengers do not throw garbage out of car, bus, taxi and train windows. Factory managers and owners must urgently clear dump sites on their properties. Most importantly, each individual person must take responsibility for his/her actions and surroundings, and should stop this mentality of thinking it’s someone else’s problem or that it isn’t a problem at all. As from now on, anyone seen littering or throwing out things from a vehicle window, must be stopped and made to pick up his/her garbage. We need to instil a new culture of tidiness and personal environmental responsibility. Unfortunately littering and dumping sites have scarred our environmental landscape for decades and the mess has been building up. In order to help government to catch-up and level the ground, so to speak, the Council may want to appeal to truck-owners and construction companies to make their equipment available to reinforce municipalities in dealing with this problem, thus embarking on a massive 21-day clean-up exercise. If our proposal is accepted, ideally speaking, one of the unintended consequences of this Coronavirus lockdown could be a cleaner South Africa. The UDM would like to take this opportunity to wish upon the President and the National Coronavirus Command Council the strength and stamina required to see South Africa through this crisis. God bless us all. Yours sincerely Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP
