Admin
26 Jul, 2018
NPA drops the case and Mduduzi Manana resigns as MP; something must be brewing?
The United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation (UDEMWO) is left pondering over the sudden resignation, as a member of parliament, of former deputy minister for higher education Mduduzi Manana. This after the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) decided to not prosecute him for the alleged abuse of his domestic worker Christine Wiro. We are extremely disappointed by the NPA’s decision. For it to decide that the case is not winnable is not acceptable and we would have preferred that a court of law decided on the matter. If Manana believes that his name has been cleared, why is he resigning on the eve of the end of his term in office? Is this case “not winnable” because there is no video evidence like with the previous one? Manana may believe that he has been exonerated, but to our minds he will always be a women basher. UDEMWO has time and again pointed out the lack of synergy in the work of government departments. The NPA has just added another piece to this puzzle. It is clear that women have no place in this country. This must stop. We reiterate our view that the law of this country favours the culprits over the abused. And, as always, the ruling party continues to reward abusers and corrupt individuals. Issued by: Ms Thandi Nontenja UDEMWO Secretary General
Admin
10 May, 2018
Why is Mduduzi Manana still an MP?
Statement by Ms Thandi Nontenja, UDEMWO Secretary General The United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation (UDEMWO) is disturbed by the fact that the former Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training Mduduzi Manana is again in the papers for alleged women abuse. Not long ago, he was released on bail after he assaulted a woman in Johannesburg. How many women must suffer at his hands before he is stopped? Has he become a serial offender? Why does the governing party continue to support and protect alleged women abusers? Government spends millions of rands on campaigns against women abuse, whilst the ANC draws a laager around some of its leaders for no apparent reason, but possibly for political favours? In addition, the spineless Women’s League’s lukewarm reaction is a condemnation of the women at its helm. It is the ultimate insult when women leaders defend their male counterparts at the expense of other women. Why have a Women’s League if it is nothing but an apron for immoral men to hide behind? UDEMWO does not understand why Manana is still warming a seat in parliament? If the ANC cared enough about the plight of women and children, he should have been booted out of the national assembly. We commend the National Prosecuting Authority for not dropping the charges against Manana and we hope that justice will take its course. Also, state prosecutors must not spare Manana because of his status. The magistrate presiding over this matter, should throw the book at him. Lastly, UDEMWO believes that men in Manana’s position should be the daily embodiment of the campaign against gender violence. In fact, when a prominent South African man makes himself guilty of women abuse it makes it easy for the average man and boy to emulate this behaviour. Issued by: Ms 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
