Admin
20 Jul, 2020
Alleged looting of state resources, through the DBSA, by some of the same people who have been fingered in the Public Investment Corporation investigation
Mr CM Ramaphosa President of the Republic of South Africa Private Bag X1000 Pretoria 0001 Dear Mr President RE: Alleged looting of state resources, through the DBSA, by some of the same people who have been fingered in the Public Investment Corporation investigation 1. I wrote to you a little more than a month ago, on 17 June 2020, regarding my grave concerns over the apparent looting of state resources by some of the very same individuals who were found to have had an enhanced ability to secure easy access to Public Investment Corporation (PIC) funds, as well as some new characters, who have now seemingly set their sights on looting from the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA). 2. In the 17 June-letter I also suggested that Treasury intervene and cause the DBSA to urgently stop the Crede Power and Infrastructure funding, via a vehicle called Poseidon, and that investigation be made into the allegations of impropriety. 3. Much water has flown under this bridge and, since then, the individuals who I had named in my letter, first tried to bully me via a lawyers’ letter and had ultimately run to the courts in an attempt to, what appears to me, intimidate and of course gag me. Their first volley failed as the court removed their application from the urgent court roll and they were ordered to pay the wasted costs occasioned by the set-down on the urgent court roll. 4. I had also made a Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) application to the DBSA to obtain all the information pertaining to the Crede Power and Infrastructure/Poseidon water project but was unsuccessful because the DBSA relied on frivolous technicalities to refuse my request. I am of the view that this was a gambit to play for time. Speculating about the real reason why they acted in this manner, leads me to think someone was up to no good. 5. The DBSA’s chief executive officer and managing director, Mr Patrick Dlamini, had also decided to engage with me in letter-warfare, which I believed to be yet another effort to intimidate me. But, knowing what I know now, I suspect it might also have been a play for time to cook the books. 6. I was quite disturbed, last week, to learn that there had been alleged interference with the DBSA’s computer systems, where electronic documentation and records on the Crede Power and Infrastructure/Poseidon water project had been made to vanish at the time of my PAIA application, thus frustrating a good cause, whilst aiding and abetting those suspected of ill deeds. 7. Up to now, there have been far too many coincidences, that point to a massive cover-up. For instance, Crede Power and Infrastructure’s website being unavailable, just after my complaint to you and a threat from some lawyers, when I wanted to double-check my researched information. Then the DBSA spitefully refused my PAIA application and Mr Dlamini inadvertently confirmed, in writing, that the information at my disposal was accurate. Now we have an alleged sudden clean-up and wipe-out of critical information on the DBSA’s funding of the Crede Power and Infrastructure/Poseidon water project. 8. This brings another serious matter into focus and that is whether there are any other current funding deals at the DBSA, involving the same parties, of which we are unaware and whilst the grass is growing underneath your feet, evidence of such are also disappearing. 9. Given the information I have imparted to you in this writ, I wonder whether you and/or Minister of Finance Tito Mboweni can rely on any information provided to you by, who in my view are, potentially discredited DBSA executives. 10. I submit to you that there is a clear need for an independent forensic investigation to review the entire matter and in particular the alleged tampering with the DBSA’s computer records. Forensic investigators will be able to validate which files and what information have been tampered with and/or have been deleted. Computer experts will also be able to ensure that any restored information is legitimate. 11. The other matter that I had raised in my 17-June letter had been that PIC board member, Ms Irene Charnley, had allegedly received a USD 20 million loan from the DBSA and that she has yet to pay that back. It might behove you to also have investigation made of the DBSA’s loan practices and whether those loans are serviced, and who the culprits are that do not pay their instalments as per the agreement with the bank and why. 12. I remain at your disposal to discuss these matters and I reiterate my request that a forensic audit is urgently needed to get to the bottom of what seems to be the machinations of the greedy and the looting of state resources. Yours sincerely Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP President of the United Democratic Movement Copied to: Minister of Finance, Mr Tito Mboweni DBSA Chairperson, Mr Enoch Godongwana DBSA Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Mr Patrick K Dlamini
Admin
10 Sep, 2019
Open Letter to President Ramaphosa: gender-based violence
Dear Mr President Recently, the country has been ravaged by news of gender based violence, women being abducted, raped and murdered. This is an everyday life for women in this country hence now we have the #AmInext movement, because honestly we are constantly stressing about who is going to be a victim of these atrocities ravaging our communities. The United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation call on you Mr President, to speedily act on this, as women are under attack, the time for speeches and dialogues around these issues is over. We would like to see a government that implements change and not just talk about it. One of the things we would like to see is co-operation between the Departments or Ministries that fall under the cluster of peace and security. There seems to be no synergy and this is a contributing factor to the rise in violence in this country. If the SAPS manage to arrest the criminal; Justice will release him either on bail or on lack of evidence; if Justice sentence the criminal, Correctional Services will release him on parole. The UDEMWO call upon the government either amend the laws of this country as the law is currently favouring the criminals at the expense of the victims, or bring back the death penalty. Had it not been for Luyanda Botha, the late Uyinene Mrhwetyana’s murderer being released on parole from his previous convictions, the young girl would be still alive, pursuing her dreams. The question still remains, how did Luyanda end up working for a state owned enterprise with criminal records? Mr President, The Government continues to fail us! The Department of Women’s voice is not being heard, Minister Maite-Nkoana Mashabane is not vocal and not seen taking part in bringing about solution in the threatening situation, which is claiming lives of women especially in the past week. UDEMWO believes that when one tramples the other person’s rights, he must forfeit his rights. Enough with the lip service, Action must be taken NOW! Issued by Thandi Nontenja UDEMWO Secretary
Admin
22 May, 2019
The 6th parliament will make or break South Africa
The United Democratic Movement (UDM) is cautiously optimistic about South Africa’s future as our 6th parliament is established today. However, only time will tell whether the next five years will in fact bring to life President Cyril Ramaphosa’s proposed new dawn. As per the UDM’s longstanding advice, we in particular await President Ramaphosa’s substantial reduction of cabinet and that the rotten apples will not find their way back into positions of power – as they have already bobbed up on the ANC’s candidates lists. As the majority party, it is time for the ANC to put an end to its political squabbling, which relegates South Africans as victims of their internal machinations, political pushing and pulling and cadre deployment. The UDM also cautions President Ramaphosa that he should make certain that the separation of powers between politicians and officials are clear. In the past these lines have been blurred and it should not be tolerated. We wish all members of this 6th parliament all the best of luck in disposing their mandate as entrusted to them by the South African electorate. There is no place in parliament for complacence on the one hand, and arrogance on the other. There must be a clear realisation that the next five years has the potential to make or break this country. In particular, we wish President Ramaphosa well in his endeavours to root out corruption in government and establishing a committed civil service that takes our people’s needs seriously. Rest assured the UDM will be at its post as a credible, responsible and effective opposition. Issued by: Mr Bongani Msomi UDM Secretary General
Admin
22 Nov, 2018
President Ramaphosa’s “cabinet changes” is a damp squib
The United Democratic Movement Youth Vanguard is of the view that President Ramaphosa’s new dawn is a copy and paste of the old order and thus have abandoned the youth of South Africa with his so-called cabinet change. He has showed the country a lack of conviction by retaining figures such as Nomvula Mokonyane who has shown her incapability as communications minister with the disastrous handling of the public broadcaster. Mokonyane’s shift to environmental affairs, after failing in her previous department, was a move without consideration on the part of the president. We, as the youth of South Africa, should not be surprised if we run out of oxygen under her bungling leadership. Former president Jacob Zuma once said that the ANC is more important than the country and we fear that President Ramaphosa is doing the same. We call on the president to imbibe decisive leadership and lead with the interest of the country first and not that of his party. We as the UDM Youth Vanguard still call on the president to fire minister Bathabile Dlamini from cabinet unless there is some or other cause to keep her in office. The UDM Youth Vanguard does however welcome the merging of the department of communications and postal services under Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams. We have seen her in action in her previous portfolio working very hard in bringing ICT to the youth. We wish her all the best and we hope that she will bring stability and offer leadership in this newly merged department with the understanding that it is a very challenging time as the SOEs in this department are faced with many challenges. This move by the president shows that the young people of South Africa cannot trust that the ANC will take us seriously come 2019 and we therefore encourage them to find an alternative and vote for the UDM. Issued by Mr Yongama Zigebe Gauteng Provincial Secretary, UDM Youth Vanguard
Admin
27 Feb, 2018
President Ramaphosa’s cabinet reshuffle is a major disappointment
The United Democratic Youth Vanguard (UDMYV) would like to express concern over President Cyril Ramaphosa’s cabinet reshuffle. At most this cabinet represents the old order of former President Jacob Zuma and is divorced from the supposed “New Dawn” that the African National Congress (ANC) claims to espouse. How else would the President explain the retention of people such as Ms Bathabile Dlamini, Ms Nomvula Mokonyane (as the face of government), Mr Malusi Gigaba, Mr Sfiso Buthelezi and Mr Kebby Maphatsoe? It is quite clear that President Ramaphosa puts the ANC’s needs before those of the country. Signs are clear that the ANC will never change and therefore the United Democratic Movement must stand up to lead the people of South Africa. The absence of young persons in this cabinet is very disappointing especially in the ministry of sports and recreation where an opportunity was missed to bring in a young person. The reappointment of Mr Nhlanhla Nene, as finance minister, is however welcomed and the UDMYV wishes him well in filling that position. The UDMYV would like to challenge President Ramaphosa to put his foot down and lead the country with conviction. He promised to trim his cabinet and he has failed to do so owing to his party’s internal politics. We call on the people of South Africa to note this anti-climactic moment and hold President Ramaphosa and the ANC to account in the 2019 national and provincial elections. Issued by: Katleho Mothama Political Liaison Officer, UDMYV Gauteng plogp@udmyv.co.za Yongama Zigebe Provincial Secretary, UDMYV Gauteng secretarygp@udmyv.co.za yludwe@yahoo.com
Admin
27 Feb, 2018
UDEMWO: The Ramaphosa cabinet is an insult to SA women
The United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation (UDEMWO) is disappointed by President Ramaphosa’s choice of ministers. While we notice with disgust the recycling of the Zuma cabinet nothing would have prepared us for Ms Bathabile Dlamini as the Minister of Women in the Presidency. The fact that the African National Congress (ANC) Women’s League decided to elect her as its president does not necessarily mean that she is capable to do the important work this ministry needs to do. South African women deserve better that this hogwash and the President must realise that elevating Bathabile Dlamini into his office is incomprehensible and a grievous insult to the women of this country. This cabinet reshuffle brings us to the realisation that there is no difference between the Zuma and the Ramaphosa administrations. As former President Zuma once said that the ANC is bigger than the nation. President Ramaphosa is giving a nation recycled persons (some with dubious records) in his effort to keep the so-called unity within the ANC. As far as UDEMWO is concerned, there is no Ministry for Women in South Africa despite the many challenges that women are currently facing in this country. Issued by: Ms Thandi Nontenja UDEMWO Secretary General
