Admin
21 Mar, 2019
UDM lodges complaint with IEC re alleged ANC attack on members campaigning in Mbizana
Mr VG Mashinini Chairperson of the Electoral Commission P/Bag X112 Centurion 0046 Dear Sir LODGING OF COMPLAINT: ALLEGED ATTACK ON UDM MEMBERS BY PERSONS DRESSED IN ANC REGALIA Earlier this week, United Democratic Movement (UDM) members were campaigning in Ward 7, Khaleni Administrative Area, in the Mbizana Local Municipality (Eastern Cape). Four of our members were allegedly assaulted by persons wearing African National Congress regalia. One of our members was admitted to hospital with injuries sustained in the attack. One of the alleged assailants is known to our members and a case has been opened with the police. We understand that two suspects have been arrested for common assault in the meantime. It is ironic that political parties have just yesterday signed the Independent Electoral Commission’s (IEC) Code of Conduct, and the Code has, allegedly, already been infringed upon by the aforementioned party. The UDM condemns political intolerance and violence in the strongest terms and we call on the IEC to play its role in taking action in terms of its powers to enforce the Code of Conduct. We will not accept another scenario where we, as in the past, lodged complaints with the IEC and, in our opinion, nothing was done. We look forward to your response. Yours sincerely Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP UDM President Mr Sy Mamabolo, IEC Chief Electoral Officer
Admin
10 Oct, 2017
The KwaZulu Natal mass murder phenomenon
Statement issued by UDM President Bantu Holomisa, MP The United Democratic Movement (UDM) is concerned about the spate of mass killings in KwaZulu-Natal. It cannot be that, in less than two weeks, more than fifteen people have been killed in almost the same manner – in a hail of gunfire. Eight members of the same family were killed when an unknown person opened fire in Umvoti ; just a few days after a family of five were also killed in Marianhill, with the latest, the death of three family members who were shot and killed (Folweni) – all in the same province. Most of the deceased are women and children. Something is not right. What could the motives be? KwaZulu-Natal is a known battlefield of political intolerance, but the seemingly arbitrary nature of these mass murders is serious cause for concern. Many lives have been lost since the start of 2017 and something other than nonstop investigations must be done. We welcome the arrest of four suspects on the Marianhill murder; however more needs to be done to stop this inhumane bloodshed. The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Organised Crime Task Team, the National Intervention Unit and Crime Intelligence must get to the bottom of this phenomenon immediately and stop this egregious violence. End
