Admin
01 Feb, 2019
UDM welcomes, Ms Sindi Mashinini-Maphumulo, former NFP deputy-president, to the fold
Address by Mr BH Holomisa, MP and UDM President in welcoming of new members to the United Democratic Movement on 1 February 2019 in Durban • Chairperson • UDM leadership, and • Most importantly, our guests; • Members of the UDM Your joining the United Democratic Movement (UDM) is a vital step to realise our dream for the socio-economic development of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). As KZN has the second largest number of voters, this presents the best opportunity for the people of this province to shape their future through participation in the political environment, government and legislative processes. This province accurately reflects the socio-economic challenges our country faces today. On the 18th of January, thousands of unemployed nurses marched to the provincial department of health demanding jobs to fill the 40,000 vacancies in South Africa. To make matters worse, the eThekwini Municipality has fruitlessly and wastefully spent your money to the tune of no less than R29 million. On top of this, the same municipality has failed to take reasonable steps to prevent irregular expenditure that amounted to more than R700 million as the auditor general has found. We welcome you into the fold, and together we must immediately start work towards achieving the following goals: 1. Step-up the ongoing campaign to remove the looters who continue to steal from you through Bosasa, the Guptas, VBS Bank and others to come. 2. We must enter every door in this province and explain to the more than five million voters why they must vote UDM in the next election. 3. We must go out and create hope for the people of KZN and convince them that the UDM is the only party that can uplift them from the misery the governing thieves have dumped them into. 4. On 16 February, you will be in Port Elizabeth with your fellow members to launch the UDM manifesto. This is where we will together present the UDM’s solutions to South African problems. 5. Spread the word of the UDM manifesto and get people to watch the launch on television if they are unable attend. Let us make the 16th of February the UDM’s day for all households to come together and identify with the bright future we promote. The UDM has made a significant contribution in shaping the direction that the country should take, and with you joining these efforts, we can fulfil our dream of a winning nation. With you, we are certain of realising a country that is free from looters, thieves and corruption. You have made the right decision to be associated with a party that our first secretary general, Sifiso Nkabinde, who hailed from this beautiful green province, strongly believed in. You are creating hope for the nation; you represent the good that South Africa is. Thank you
Admin
26 Sep, 2016
Bantu Holomisa requests meeting of political leaders and IEC regarding ANC leadership’s criticism of Mr Terry Tselane
Dear Mr Mashinini REQUEST FOR AN URGENT MEETING OF THE LEADERS OF ALL POLITICAL PARTIES REPRESENTED IN PARLIAMENT The above matter has reference. It has come to my attention that the African National Congress (ANC) has declared the Deputy Chairperson of the Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC), Mr Terry Tselane, an enemy. It is alleged that, at the IEC National Results Centre (in Pretoria) for the 2016 Municipal Elections, the Secretary General of the ANC, Mr Gwede Mantashe and his deputy Ms Jessie Duarte, in the presence of the State President (who is also the ANC’s President) caused a stir by confronting Mr Tselane and, amongst others, alleging that he: Was an enemy of the ANC; Was conniving with the opposition parties against the ANC; Had single-handedly removed teachers as IEC electoral officers during the 2016 Municipal Elections in order to benefit opposition parties; and that His behaviour has benefitted the opposition parties. These are serious allegations, considering that it was made against a member of the Electoral Commission. It is interesting to note that Mr Mantashe seems to be confirming that the appointment of teachers as electoral officers, is designed to disadvantage opposition parties and unduly benefit the ANC. Such an admission vindicates the view always held by opposition parties with regard to the ‘exclusive’ appointment of teachers as electoral officers. Many of these teachers, if not all, are members of a Cosatu affiliated teachers’ union, Sadtu. Cosatu is in alliance with the ANC and has always taken a firm decision to support the ANC in every election that has taken place since the advent of democracy in South Africa; its decisions binds Sadtu and its members. These allegations place a grey cloud over other Electoral Commissioners. It will not be far-fetched to question whether their loyalties are with the country, its citizens and the Constitution or with the ANC. This is important, because from these allegations, it is clear, that any Electoral Commissioner who does not sweeten the ANC will be regarded as an enemy and will be dealt with accordingly. These developments may necessitate that the current composition of the Electoral Commission be urgently scrutinised to ascertain whether they are all in the service of the nation or in the service of a political party. I am also made to believe that the ANC has begun to question Accenture, a company that has been contracted and worked with IEC to provide technical solutions for a stable technical environment to support elections processes. In my recollection, the credibility of this company has never been questioned by the ANC and it is interesting that it is only now emerging after the elections results that have shocked the ruling party. It begs a serious question; why does the ruling party now have an issue with Accenture and why was this matter never tabled at the appropriate body i.e. the National Party Liaison Committee. I am also aware that the ANC is allegedly considering to alter the current party representation on the IEC’s Party Liaison Committees in favour of proportional representation. We wish to obtain a detailed understanding of this development and its rationale. The alleged meeting that took place on Monday, 19 September 2016, at Luthuli House, which was attended by some of the ANC ‘top six’ and Electoral Commissioner, is of serious concern. It is further disturbing that it is alleged that some of the issues raised above were discussed in the said clandestine meeting. Accordingly, I request that you convene an urgent meeting of all the leaders of parties represented in the South African Parliament to consider, amongst others, the matters raised above. I hope this will be attended to urgently. Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP President of the United Democratic Movement
