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21 Jun, 2016
UDM condemns violent protests in Tshwane
The United Democratic Movement (UDM) is concerned about the direction this country is taking under the leadership of the ruling party, ANC. Currently, Tshwane is in flames, with disgruntled ANC members are taking to the streets burning tyres and destroying the little that the community has. We condemn, amongst others, the looting of shops, burning of cars, damage to private properties and harming of innocent lives. These reckless acts by the protesters are unacceptable. The country is at standstill with many violent protests and the ANC with its government are mum. It is high time that citizens realise that the ruling party has never taken community protest serious. We are asking ourselves why they would think they will be taken serious now. Instead of destroying the little the community has, it is time that you express your anger and frustration through the ballot paper, excising your power by voting for change and change is now. Statement issued by: Tshwane Regional Convenor
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19 May, 2016
Bantu Holomisa’s remarks to the Cape Town Press Club: President Zuma
Greetings: Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen Thank you very much for sharing this platform with me today. The electioneering season has begun and all of us are on the streets, to once again connect with the electorate. Chairperson, the United Democratic Movement in its 5th National Congress held in December 2015, amongst others; declared corruption as a national threat to sustainable development of the country and its citizens as it directly affects good governance and economic growth negatively. You will also recall that since its inception, the UDM has always been batting on a wicket of anti-corruption and good governance. We remain committed to this both in words and actions. I mention these two points because, today our country finds it difficult to be described fully without mentioning the word corruption. Centrally to this is that the country is led by a party in implosion. Its internal implosion has left the country sneezing and the state institutions in a state of paralysis. Leadership of these institutions are a product of a disastrous cadre deployment policy and by design, they are inherently part of the fighting factions within the party. Naturally, they will abuse their positions within these state institutions to defeat the other factions. At the helm of all these shenanigans is a President who has become an untouchable, even those close to him are apparently unable to apply breaks on him. So the country is stuck with this monstrous individual who has no regard for the rule of law. Those who are still placing their future in the ruling party, they can only wait for their national conference at the end of 2017, hoping that some new medicine will come. However, this hope is very much un-realistic given the fact that, Mr Zuma and his marshals are the same medicine in differently shaped bottles. He has successfully mustered his plan to render every senior member of the ruling party in parliament dormant through patronage, and as a result, it is impossible to differentiate between his NEC and the cabinet. There is therefore no possibility for any of the senior members of the ruling party within their NEC to question him on his escapades. The ruling party’s internal fight has now taken a very dangerous shift from a political symposium of ideas to the terrain of the former military operatives of the ANC armed wing. Mr. Zuma is now pitting junior former MK members against their former senior colleagues in the MK. He has activated a battalion of the former junior MK operatives in defence of his Nkandla scandal and his family friends, the Guptas, whilst the former senior leaders of Operation Vula, like Pravin Gordhan, are on the opposite side of the battle field. To exacerbate the chaotic situation, there is another group that is characterised by former senior leaders of the party, who are yearning for the ANC to return back to its original values, unfortunately they are on the periphery of the formal structures of the party. They will simply be locked-out in the cold with absolutely no say or influence. This is well expressed in how the ANC marshals are behaving in parliament. These marshals are the voting cattle in the coming national conference of their party and will therefore dictate the direction of the party which will directly affect the future of the country. It is not absurd to think of a possibility, where some, within the ruling party, who still harbour the original values and principles of the party, would consider pursuing the same principles and agenda outside of the currently exploding party. Notwithstanding all these, the country still has to move forward. It is in this regard, that our conference made the commitment to continue fighting against corruption and mobilise society behind the banner of good governance. We are happy that many other opposition parties and society in general are resonating with this noble campaign. The positive side of this crisis, is that political parties and citizens are presented with an opportunity to think deeply about whether it is not time to take a different route in defending the gains of our freedom. The fourth local government elections are a fertile platform to discharge this responsibility. The parties must provide concrete alternative and the electorate must not shy away from denouncing the failures of the ruling party through a ballot paper. The electorate has more than enough to understand why they should liberate themselves from the ruling party. There is no minute passing without scandals of looting public purse by the ruling elite. Their immorality has now directed their hands to the pension funds of the government employees in the Public Investment Corporation. Once again, major beneficiaries have links with the president of the country, like the Sakh’umnotho transaction amounting to no less than R1.5bn. The funding of the independent newspapers in which the Guptas are in court fighting for their 20% stake is in the public domain for electorates to see. The alleged payment of the ANC birthday bash and staff salaries using pensions of government employees is a subject of investigation by the office of the Public Protector. The opposition parties have tried their bit in parliament, in courts including the Constitutional Court, however, the numerical arrogance of the ruling party, and the used of state security apparatus has been a new weapon to silence different views. In conclusion, while the ruling party is imploding and Mr. Zuma remaining intransigent, the country is in a state of anarchy, because it is not their priority but their bottom less pockets. I thank you.
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13 May, 2016
Speaker of the National Assembly condones abuse of public monies
Statement by Nqabayomzi Kwankwa, MP in the National Assembly The closing remarks by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Ms. Baleka Mbete during the debate on the Parliamentary budget are shocking and preposterous. Her condonation of the abuse of public money by the Parliamentary officials, who blew R1m on a holiday spree in London, led by the Secretary of Parliament, is a clear demonstration of arrogance and abuse of power. Ms. Mbete has absolved the Secretary and his officials of any wrong doing. Interestingly, ten minutes before the debate, the she delivered a letter to me, responding to a request I made, on the 14th of April 2016, for an investigation of a possible irregularities related to the so-called benchmarking trip. In her reply she says, “Regarding the request for Parliament to investigate possible irregularities, kindly note that the matter is receiving attention by the Executive Authority. A response will follow in due course”. Hardly, two hours later, the same Speaker says, nothing was wrong with the trip and everything was above board. Where did she get this information when the request for investigation is still being considered? The conduct of the Speaker is the same as that of her travelers in the ruling party, who are led by a President who has neglected his oath of office. It appears, with the permission of the Speaker, that public monies entrusted in Parliament are up for grabs by corrupt politicians and officials as long as they sing to the tune of the corrupt ruling party elite. The Financial Management of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures Act, 10 of 2009 is very clear on General Financial Management Functions. It instructs the Secretary who is the Accounting Officer of Parliament to ensure that Parliament’s resources are used effectively, efficiently, economically and transparently. The Speaker, without any investigations, says all is above board. What a shame!. End
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03 May, 2016
UDESMO mourns for Wits students
Statement issued by Akhona Bavu, UDESMO Chairperson The United Democratic Student Movement (UDESMO) would like to convey a message of condolences to the families and friends of the University students that were involved in a horrible car crash that has claimed their lives in Limpopo yesterday. This is such a sad time for the higher institution fraternity, not only for Wits University but to all South Africans. The whole country is in mourning during this unbearable time. We would also wish a speedy recovery to those who are still in hospital. As UDESMO, we are calling upon the law enforcement officials to be visible on the roads during holidays and beyond as we feel that drivers do behave when they see them. The Department of Transport, Road Traffic Management Corporation and law enforcement officials must also investigate the root cause of these fatalities and come up with ways to curb them. We cannot continue losing lives every time because of silly behaviour of the drivers. One life lost is too many. End
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29 Apr, 2016
Debate on Budget Vote 24 – Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Address by Mr ML Filtane, MP in Parliament Honourable Speaker and members The United Democratic Movement (UDM), supports the budget vote with the following comments. Although the Department manages 64 000 hectors of category B and C of plantations, there is no budget for the revitalisation of these plantations through which process, jobs could have been created. In the meantime there is a huge national demand for sawlog timber. South Africa could soon be a net importer of sawlogs because the water shortages, change of business model as well as the state’s poor management of the category B and C forests. The consequence hereof is that building costs are going to go up. The department bosts a large number of highly qualified personnel, yet all we see is an ongoing increase in the numbers of food-less citizens and jobless people. The projected 40 000 beneficiaries of the food production initiatives is less than a drop in ocean because it accounts for less than 1% of the total population that lives below the poverty line. Truth is, people don’t care how much you know, all they want to know is how much you care, for them. The impact of your draught relief programme was so minimal that two farmers took their lives after losing hope in your endeavours, most farmers in the Eastern Cape have only heard about your efforts, instead of actually getting it. Food prices are set to rise to unprecedented levels. The effect of the drastic reduction of the Agricultural Research Council’s (ARC) budget is going to be negative that even ordinary citizens will decry your decision. This is an entity that was able to produce an effective drought tolerant maize seed. Had they had the obviously necessary financial support, the effect of drought would have been seriously minimised, thus saving the citizens from death resulting starvation. Go produce food for the starving masses such that the social grants beneficiaries can get food at farm gate prices with minimal transport costs. (transport adds 25% to the plate of food). Prioritise food production. If the department had a strong policy of maximising your position in the local market, you would not be worried about the collapsing China markets. The committee’s report is not reflective of public representatives who realise that this country is in dire-straights. I suggest the department responds much faster to the recommendations. Poverty drives more people to social security for financial relief. The numbers of food producers has declined by about 30% in the last 10 to 20 years. The current government is not being effective in stopping the haemorrhage. South Africa is going to be less food producing and have very high food costs. Minister, you are producing inflation. Most important and urgent, the agricultural sector remains lily white with no semblance or evidence of purposeful transformation that dismantles the exclusive ownership of food production in our country. It is disturbing to hear that white farmers continue to exclude the majority of citizens by using Afrikaans as the only medium of producing food. We demand a clear realistic plan on this. Thank you
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29 Apr, 2016
Debate on Budget Vote 11 – Public Works
ADDRESS BY Mr ML Filtane MP in Parliament Honourable Speaker and members The United Democratic Movement (UDM), support the budget vote with the following important comments. The most common problems with this programme are: · Insufficient support by the department with no collaterals from any other source, including the beneficiaries themselves. This makes the beneficiaries to be almost totally dependent on the department; a rather too heavy a burden to bear. · Lack of Project Management skills on the part of the senior management of the department its glaring. This puts the beneficiaries, and therefore, the department in an invidious position where there is so much reliance on the Director General department as stated above. Hence the Minister recently directed that from downwards, staff members should attend a project management course. · The department is caught up in a situation where the Community Property Associations (CPAs) become a law unto themselves thus failing to maximise the opportunities presented to them by the department. In some cases courts are brought in to resolve internal issues. · Kwa Zulu Natal was beginning to see the unfortunate, but unavoidable effects of the drought that has devastated crops and livestock in most provinces of South Africa. · Most beneficiaries of the restitution programme prefer cash to land. This is a political scenario brought about by severe levels of poverty, both of the ability to develop land and make it productive, as well as lack of foresight in so far as the long term benefits of owning land are some people do not understand that land appreciates in value because of external factors not necessarily influenced by its owner. More advocacy is needed as a critical component of the restitution programme. Accordingly; we strongly suggest that this political challenge should no longer just be addressed through a simple mechanical process of qualifying people for restitution but rather that people must be offered land only. I cannot find anything contrary to the Bill of Rights therein and therefore such a policy would withstand a constitutional test. The slow pace of restitution is actually a contravention of section 25 (6) of the constitution. Government just cannot deliver on its promises of the promised land. Thank you
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21 Apr, 2016
UDM reacts to Arms Deal Commission Report
Statement issued by UDM President Bantu Holomisa The long awaited report on the allegations of mass corruption in the 1999 arms deal has not surprised anyone. It only adds to the shelves of South Africa, another white-washed report whose objective is nothing less than clearing comrades from Luthuli House. Our memories are still fresh from the damning findings of the Durban High Court, in which evidence carried in the notorious encrypted fax, recording an alleged arms deal bribe to the then Deputy President of the country from the French arms giant, Thales. This piece of evidence was successfully admitted, used in court and led to the conviction of Mr. Schabir Shaik. In the judgment that followed, Mr. Zuma was implicated. It is very disturbing that the report is conspicuously quiet on this. In fact, it is also mysterious that Mr. Zuma did not testify in the commission even though he allegedly accepted a bribe from Thales. We are also not told about the luxurious vehicles that were bought for various Luthuli House comrades who were connected to the arms deal procurement processes. In fact, we are not told whether the commission, during its independent investigation, did take advantage of various investigations and findings conducted by other countries like the United Kingdom, Sweden, Switzerland, Germany and France. We remember that the German detectives said they found a copy of the agreement when they raided ThyssenKrupp, the German engineering conglomerate which led the consortium that sold four patrol corvettes to South Africa for R6.9 billion. The bribe agreement was reported to be R6 million. It begs to wonder the seriousness of the commission, its work and product. We also remember that the commission was marred with resignations including the one of the evidence leader who challenged the credibility of the inquiry. We note the timing of the release of the report, which is on the eve of highly contested Local Government Elections. The ruling party is in dire need of a relief for it to be taken serious by the electorate. It enters this campaign on the back foot due to its corrupt activities including the flouting of the Constitution. This report comes as a tool to strengthen their compromised campaign. End
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19 Apr, 2016
Condolences to ANC and Ekurhuleni community: bus tragedy that occurred between Winburg and Ventersburg
Dear Mr Mantashe CONDOLONCES TO THE ANC AND EKURHULENI COMMUNITY The United Democratic Movement (UDM) would like to convey a message of condolence to the families and friends of those who lost lives in the bus tragedy that occurred between Winburg and Ventersburg, on their way back from ANC Manifesto Launch in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape over the weekend. We also extend condolences to the ANC and Ekurhuleni community at large for the tragedy. We wish a speedy recovery to those who were injured. As UDM we feel that the accident could have been avoided if the drivers were responsible enough hence we are calling for proper investigation into the matter. Kind regards, Mr Bongani Msomi UDM Secretary General
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11 Apr, 2016
Bantu Holomisa writes to the Speaker of the NA regarding meeting with Presiding Officers
Dear Honourable Speaker NOTICE OF A MEETING WITH PRESIDING OFFICERS – 13 APRIL 2016. The above matter has reference. Your notice of a meeting between the Presiding Officers and Leaders of Political Parties in Parliament is confirmed. On the 18th of February 2016, I wrote to you requesting that your office direct the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence to conduct hearings on what I referred to, as; “The threat presented by the Gupta family to the security of the country’s resources”. I have not received a response to this letter either than a request for a signed version, which was delivered to your office. On the 7th of April 2016, I wrote to you requesting for a disciplinary enquiry against President Zuma. Again I have not received a response to this letter either than an acknowledgement. Given the above, I confirm that I will attend the meeting with Presiding Officers, only on condition that your office replies to the contents of the two letters referred to above. Kind regards, Mr. Bantu Holomisa, MP President of the United Democratic Movement
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07 Apr, 2016
Bantu Holomisa writes to Speaker of the NA regarding disciplinary inquiry: President Zuma
Dear Honourable Speaker REQUEST FOR A DISCIPLINARY INQUIRY AGAINST PRESIDENT ZUMA The above matter has reference. Following the scathing Constitutional Court judgment delivered on the 31st of March instant, and found amongst others: “Consistent with this constitutional injunction, an order will thus be made that the President’s failure to comply with the remedial action taken against him by the Public Protector is inconsistent with his obligation to uphold, defend and respect the Constitution as the supreme law of the Republic; to comply with the remedial action taken by the Public Protector; and the duty to assist and protect the office of the Public Protector to ensure its independence, impartiality, dignity and effectiveness”. A barrage of vicious attacks was meted against the office of the Public Protector and the Public Protector, by amongst others, members of the National Assembly; to a point of accusing her of misleading the nation. This grave misconduct has adversely affected the operations, performance and effectiveness of the Public Protector. Notwithstanding the clarity given by the Constitutional Court, the President, in his public half-hearted apology, failed to express himself on this matter of national interest. In July, justice portfolio committee chairperson Dr. Mathole Motshekga told the Nkandla ad hoc committee: “We should not, and cannot, apologise when we say the report of the public protector is misleading and has misled the nation.” The National Assembly Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services, led by the chairperson, Dr. Mathole Motshekga and Ms Thandiswa Mahambehlala brutally attacked the person of the public protector. This may have led to the economic embargo against the office of the Public Protector. News 24 reported on the 3rd of April 2016; attribute the following to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Ms Baleka Mbete; “Now I don’t know who owes the public protector an apology about what because as far as Parliament is concerned, the situation has been explained,” she said. It is my considered view, that the National Assembly has a Constitutional obligation to hold the President accountable on this matter. He has the duty to assist and protect the office of the Public Protector to ensure its independence, impartiality, dignity and effectiveness. Further, the Constitutional Court found, against the President: “Consistent with this constitutional injunction, an order will thus be made that the President’s failure to comply with the remedial action taken against him by the Public Protector is inconsistent with his obligation to uphold, defend and respect the Constitution as the supreme law of the Republic; to comply with the remedial action taken by the Public Protector; and the duty to assist and protect the office of the Public Protector to ensure its independence, impartiality, dignity and effectiveness”. Schedule 2 of the Constitution under Oath or solemn affirmation of President and Acting President provides: “The President of Acting President, before the Chief Justice, or another judge designated by the Chief Justice, must swear/affirm as follows: In the presence of everyone assembled here, and in full realisation of the high calling I assume as President/Acting President of the Republic of South Africa, I, A, B., swear/solemnly affirm that I will be faithful to the Republic of South Africa, and will obey, observe, uphold and maintain the Constitution and all other law of the Republic; and I solemnly and sincerely promise that I will always – promote all that will advance the Republic, and oppose all that may harm it; protect and promote the rights of all South Africans; discharge my duties with all my strength and talents to the best of my knowledge and ability and true to the dictates of my conscience; do justice to all; and devote myself to the well-being of the Republic and all of its people”. The President has on numerous occasions, and with regard to the report of the Public Protector and the security upgrades at his private homestead; made statements in the National Assembly, which were not accurate and may be bordering on perjury. To date, the nation as has not seen, the size and colour of a piece of paper purporting to be a bond that the President told the National Assembly funded his private home. Access to this document was never granted to the Public Protector as reported. Above all, the President had the audacity to come to the National Assembly and made mockery on a matter affecting the whole nation. We can all remember him infamously saying “…Nkandla – Nkandla! Owu Thixo – wa-se – George – Goch!” Accordingly, it is my considered view that the National Assembly is enjoined to institute a disciplinary enquiry against the President, in order to ascertain the gravity and the seriousness of the conduct of the President, as determined by the highest court of the land. In this regard, I propose: That a disciplinary enquiry be instituted against the President to: 1.1. Investigate whether the President has not misled the National Assembly with regard to his pronouncement on the security upgrades in his private homestead as well as the report of the Public Protector; and 1.2. Investigate the gravity and seriousness of the conduct of the President as determined by Constitutional Court on the 31st of March 2016, and in line with section 89 (1) of the Constitution. That the composition of the disciplinary enquiry be made up of three retired judges given that the National Assembly is conflicted, and that its findings should only be subjected to a review by a court of law where necessary. That a Multi-Party Committee be established to conduct a review of the current legislation governing security upgrades for public representatives in order to avoid further occurrence. That the National Assembly, set up a process that will immediately address the economic embargo meted against the office of the Public Protector and ensure that it is sufficiently resourced to be able to discharge its Constitutional obligations independently, impartially, effective and with dignity. Finally, the National Assembly has no choice but to hold the President accountable. Failure to do so, will send an unfortunate message to many other entities, that since the President was never held accountable, no one will have consequences for misleading the National Assembly under oath. Kind regards Mr. Bantu Holomisa, MP President of the United Democratic Movement
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06 Apr, 2016
Our freedom and democracy on the verge of collapse: What is to be done?
Statement by Mr. BH Holomisa, UDM President Yesterday, the 5th of April 2016, the ANC members of the National Assembly have once again violated their oath of office and acted in contempt of the Constitutional Court. Led by the Deputy Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, John Jeffery, they argued that there was no order to impeach Mr. Zuma, knowing fully well that the court would not do that. Once again and in abuse of their majority, they have refused to hold the Executive to account, by so doing defying to execute their constitutional obligation. ANC members of the National Assembly must be reminded that South Africa is not a majoritarian democracy but a Constitutional Democracy. Whilst the national legislature was breaching its oath of office, Mr. Zuma tells South Africans that he has not violated his oath of office, yet the Constitutional Court found on paragraph 103 of the judgment: “Consistent with this constitutional injunction, and order will thus be made that the President’s failure to comply with the remedial action taken against him by the Public Protector is inconsistent with his obligation to uphold, defend and respect the Constitution as the supreme law of the Republic;…”. On Sunday the 3rd of April 2016, Ms. Baleka Mbete, purporting to be speaking on behalf of the National Assembly, said to the nation; “We never violated the Constitution, there is no such statement in the Constitutional Court Judgment”. Paragraph 104 of the judgment reads, “Similarly, the failure by the National Assembly to hold the President accountable by ensuring that he complies with the remedial action taken against him, is inconsistent with its obligation to scrutinize and oversee executive action and to maintain oversight of the exercise of the executive powers by the President”. One of the primary functions and constitutional obligations of the legislature is to hold the executive accountable on behalf of citizens. On Monday the 4th of April 2016, the ruling party announced that it has accepted the half-hearted apology by Mr. Zuma and instructed its members of the National Assembly, to defend a dubious character in our body polity. The ANC therefore has instructed its members of parliament to violate the constitution and disregard the court’s findings. It is an accomplice in this crime. All of this has confirms, that the ANC has indeed, and as Zuma once said, that the ANC comes first and the country last. It has opened a wide door for a massive looting of public resources, a rule by a mob, an undermining of the Constitution and the rule of law. Our country is surely gravitating towards a lawlessness society. This is a reality we cannot allow and must be stopped now. The time for South Africans to reclaim their freedom and defend democracy is now. In defense of our Constitutional Democracy, we need: A ground-swell of all citizens, from the religious, traditional, academic, labour, business, civic, non-governmental, issue based organisations and all organs of civil society. A National Movement of the people reclaiming their freedom and defending their Constitutional Democracy, must have a national coordinating structure, duplicated in provinces, districts, locals including in suburbs, townships, informal settlements and villages. At the center of this movement should be: The call for an immediate resignation of Mr. Zuma; Dissolution of Parliament; Establishment of an Interim Government; Creation of a fair and transparent party funding legislation; and A reform of the Electoral Act. The Electoral Act has to be reformed in order to: Allow for a balance between the constituency and proportional elected representation system; Allow citizens to directly elect the State President; Ensure that candidates for cabinet position are vetted before appointed; and Enable Parliament to appoint an independent Speaker who is not accountable to a political party. The role that the civil society can play in building and strengthening democracy is powerful because, it includes the entire range of organized groups and institution that are independent from the state, voluntary, and at least to some extent self-reliant. Civil society have demonstrated respect for the law, for the rights of citizens, and for the constitution. In this regard, and unlike during the apartheid years, the security forces should refuse to be used to suppress the voice of the people. When people engage in lawful actions, and whose intentions are to build and sustain democracy, they should not be suppressed. In this way I am of the opinion that the people of South Africa will be able to talk in one voice and in unison and take charge of their destiny. Let the people reclaim their freedom. End
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05 Apr, 2016
Debate on the Removal of President in terms of section 89(1)(a) of the Constitution
Debate on the Removal of President in terms of section 89(1)(a) of the Constitution ADDRESS BY Mr BH Holomisa MP in the National Assembly Fellow South Africans, The fact is, the Constitutional Court has found Mr Zuma and the National Assembly to have failed to uphold, defend and respect the Constitution. Today South Africa finds itself with two organs of state that have lost the moral authority to be representatives of the people of South Africa. Mr Zuma’s unlawful actions, have sunk the Executive, the National Assembly, the nation and his political party and have put the country is at crossroads. The responses from Mr Zuma and Ms Mbete together with their accomplices to this constitutional crisis, have displayed a serious contempt of court. The key question that faces the nation is – what is to be done? The United Democratic Movement recommends that: 1. South Africans from all sectors of society should urgently meet and reclaim their freedom by developing and adopting a Programme of Action which will, amongst others, include. 1.1. An immediate resignation of Mr Zuma – failing which the citizens must cause him to be criminally charged; 1.2. An immediate dissolution of parliament; 1.3. An immediate establishment of an Interim National Government; 1.4. The reform of the Electoral Act; 1.5. A fair and transparent party funding legislation; and 1.6. The holding of National General Elections within six to eighteen month time; Consultation with the citizens must produce an electoral system that creates: 1. A balance between the constituency and proportional elected representation systems; 2. A direct election of the State President by the electorate; 3. A vetting of candidates for cabinet positions; 4. An appointment of an independent Speaker of Parliament from outside of party politics. Let the voice of the people be heard. I thank you
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04 Apr, 2016
Bantu Holomisa writes to Thuli Mandonsela with request for an addendum of costs for Nkandla
Dear Advocate Madonsela REQUEST FOR AN ADDENDUM TO THE COSTS OF NKANDLA New details have emerged of how state funds were used to buy fittings, fixtures and building materials for private residence of the President. I am aware that your office was not granted access to this information, however, it is now in the public domain. The former Deputy Director General of the Department of Public Works, Rachard Samuel, is reported to have compiled a dossier revealing the following as costs that were paid by the department towards the private renovations of the private residence of the President. According to the Sunday Times report of the 27 March 2016, Rachard Samuel listed costs, totalling to a whopping R4, 6 million which is broken down as follows: 1. R1.5-million for air-conditioning at two private houses, a guesthouse and a guardhouse. This is apart from the R5-million for air-conditioning detailed in your report and that of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU); 2. R311, 932 for covered walkways between private residences; 3. R54,721.20 for six meranti doors and 26 meranti window frames; 4. R11,850 for hinges and bolts, doorstops, stainless steel hat-and-coat hooks, and six doormats that cost R1500 each; 5. R34,834.80 for aluminium sliding doors – without bulletproof glass – and other aluminium installations; 6. R38,517 for bulletproof sliding doors; 7. R63,215 for plastering materials, R23,300 for tiling and R41,406 for painting internal and external walls; 8. R271, 796 for carpentry and joinery, including roof construction; and 9. R2.4 million for “extras”. I believe, that your office has the authority to summon this information, and approach the Office of the Chief Justice for a proper guidance on how to deal with the new exposé. If this information is true as I believe, then it should help the National Treasury in making a proper determination of the costs to be personally paid by the President. I look forward to a favourable consideration of this request. Kind regards, Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP President of the United Democratic Movement
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31 Mar, 2016
UDM reacts to Concourt ruling on Nkandla
Statement issued by UDM President Bantu Holomisa, MP The damning Constitutional Court judgment against President Zuma and the ANC dominated National Assembly are a vindication of a position that the United Democratic Movement (UDM) has always held: that the African National Congress (ANC) has given the country a dubious person in the name of a president. Today the Constitutional Court has confirmed that this man is a danger to the constitution and our constitutional democracy. In doing this he is supported by a large team of ANC marshals occupying seats in the National Assembly whilst directly taking instructions from Luthuli House as voting cattle. Mr. Zuma has broken his oath of office and the National Assembly has failed to discharge its constitutional responsibility and hold him to account. We repeat that: South Africans are not electing the President of the country but a political party. The ANC has given us this dubious character whose disregard of the rule of law has been confirmed by the highest court of the land. The ANC must therefore come to its proper senses and fire the embarrassing President. He has no capacity to protect the constitution, our economy and certainly cannot be trusted with the resources of the people. Throughout his term of office, he has brought the country into disrepute and collapsed its economy creating a hopeless society whilst his pockets and that of his family are filled with people’s monies. End
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23 Mar, 2016
UDM appeals for good behaviour on the roads
As we are all going to the Easter holiday, we know that there are drivers who will put the lives of the innocent commuters at risk. Most accidents are caused by those driving under the influence of alcohol, driving tired, driving at high speed, vehicles that are not roadworthy and/or overloading. As the United Democratic Movement (UDM) we are calling on drivers to obey the rules on the roads, abide with the law and drive safe. It is worrisome to see growing numbers of fatalities in our roads especially during holidays. We cannot afford to lose lives every time because of silly behaviour of the drivers. One life lost is too many. The government must make sure that those who do not obey the rules face harsh sentencing for their deeds. Not only do they put their lives in danger but also of the passengers and other drivers on the roads. Also, looking at statistics of road accidents, the number of pedestrians hit by cars is high. We are also calling upon the pedestrians to obey rules and use bridges to cross the roads. As UDM, we are calling upon the law enforcement officials to be visible on the roads during this time and beyond as we feel that drivers do behave when they see them. The Department of Transport, Road Traffic Management Corporation, law enforcement officials must investigate the root cause of these fatalities and come up with ways to curb them. The taxi and bus associations and owners must also take action in curbing the norm of drivers especially long distance drivers who do not rest. It must not be about money more than the lives of the passengers. Statement issued by Mr Bongani Msomi UDM Secretary General
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17 Mar, 2016
UDM reacts on President Zuma’s answers to question on Gupta’s Role in the appointment of Ministers
Media Statement by UDM President Bantu Holomisa, MP This afternoon the President had an opportunity to take the country into his confidence and either confirm or deny the revelations made by the Deputy Minister of Finance, yesterday. Alas, he chose utter arrogance and maximum denialism in defense of his travelers, the Guptas family and his own. His attitude in dealing with this issues of national importance, confirms that once again, he has neglected the country in favour of these two families. It further suggests that he has, together with Guptas ganged against his own Deputy Minister. The President, even had the audacity to say he has nothing to do with the revelations made by his Deputy Minister. He says there is nothing to investigate in order to verify the authenticity or otherwise of the revelations, as suggested by UDM. This is absurd to say the least: here is a Deputy Minister saying he was offered a position in your cabinet by someone else either than the President as provided for in the Constitution and you say you have nothing to do with that… but he continue to quote the Constitution…! The country has no basis to have hope anymore. As his answer confirms that another hour, a day with him in office, the country is going down in a high speed and by the time he leaves office, this country will be shadow of itself. It is now firmly in the hands of the ANC, the party that gave the nation a President who in turn neglected both his party and the country and chose his family and Guptas. We can now put it back to the ANC to do something or allow the electorate to punish them severely. End
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17 Mar, 2016
UDM reacts on Gupta’s offering Deputy Minister Jonas a position of Finance Minister
Media statement by UDM President Bantu Holomisa MP United Democratic Movement (UDM) welcomes the shocking confirmations made the Deputy Minister of Finance Mr. Mcebisi Jonas this afternoon. His bold decision demonstrate his commitment to his oath of office and confirms that at least within the ruling party there are some who puts South Africa and its citizens first. This behaviour by the Gupta family can only be best described as treason. Unfortunately, they have not captured the government of South Africa without the knowledge of President Zuma. In fact, they surely have his approval and probably a mandate too. It will be interesting to know, whether he himself was not frog marched to the union building; as well as whether many other ministers and senior government officials were not appointed by the Guptas since 2009. On Sunday, the 13th of March 2016, the President is on record, in an ANC Alliance Eastern Cape meeting, defending the Guptas saying they helped his son, who is their business partner, to get work experience and a job when he could not get one South Africa because he is a Zuma. This behaviour by the President makes it very impossible to believe anything but that the Gupta family are in total control of the South African government and some state institutions. We have been consistent in saying that President Zuma is no longer a liability to the ANC but is also a threat to the country and its wellbeing. We have also written to the Speaker of the National Assembly suggesting that the relationship between the family of the President and that of the Guptas, is threatening the security and the economy of the country. The confirmations by Deputy Minister vindicates us. We suggested to the Speaker, that the Parliamentary Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence should investigate this relationship and its impact on the security and economy of the country. The African National Congress and South Africans must remember that the Gupta family never contested elections in South Africa and therefore were never voted and never took an oath of office, yet they exercise powers only reserved by the Constitution of the Republic to the person in the highest office of the country. There is a symbiotic relationship between the events that resulted to the country losing billions of rands in December 2015, which were characterized by the sacking of Minister Nene, appointment of Minister Van Royen and the now confirmed offer by Guptas, surely they have a mandate. We advise the ANC to do itself a favour and cleanse itself of this monumental embarrassment and probably regain some of the credibility they have lost since the coming of President Zuma into the public office. However, if they fail and continue to do what they have been doing since 2009, defending one scandal after another of a one man, then the electorate must heavily punish them on the ballot box. End
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16 Mar, 2016
UDEMWO calls for swift intervention by government on WC women killings
Media Statement by Thandi Nontenja, UDEMWO Secretary General The United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation (UDEMWO) is saddened and concerned by the growing numbers of women and children who have fallen victims of rape and murder in the Western Cape since the beginning of the year. What is more distressing is to know that these women and children are victims of crime in the hands of those close to them or someone they know. The time has come for the communities at large to come together and put an end to these horrendous crimes. We cannot continue living in fear as women in our very own space. It is time that men come to senses and do the role of protecting us. Abuse of women; children or anybody who is a victim must not be a norm. South Africans can win this battle if we come together. As for the Department for Women, the silence in relations to issues affecting women is too deafening. Why is Minister Suzan Shabangu not saying or condemning these crimes. How many women and children must fall victim before more could be done. The government must acknowledge that the country is in crisis and more needs to be done. The government must take the nation into confidence regarding a strategy to combat the killing of women in the Western Cape. The recent killing of Sizeka Batala from Mfuleni, Sinoxolo Mafevuka, Franziska Blöchliger, Shamonique Claasen from Paarl and all those who were not on the news has raised so much concern and government must make a swift intervention. End
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11 Mar, 2016
UDEMWO calls for action to arrest Mafevuka’s killers
As the United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation (UDEMWO), we welcome the arrest of the suspects in the murder case of the 16 year old teenage girl, Franziska Blochliger in Tokai early this week. We commend the police and everyone who made the arrest possible and we hope that the case will not drag long before the alleged perpetrators are brought to book for their horrendous action. In comparison, it is saddening to learn that not much has been done regarding the investigation into the murder of the 19 year old Sinoxolo Mafevuka who was raped and murdered in Khayelitsha almost two weeks ago. To us this is a matter of concern. It leaves us with many questions of whether is it a matter of the other family having means to hire investigators to dig deep in order for things to happens or is it the law enforcement that is dragging feet. The South African Police Service never ceases to let women and the country down. As UDEMWO, we are calling on police to do more and make sure that the perpetrators are brought to book. We would be pleased to see the very same energy used in Tokai arrest being used for Mafevuka family. Statement issued by: Ms Thandi Nontenja UDEMWO Secretary General
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09 Mar, 2016
Racial Tension and conflict at South African Universities
Address by Mr UDM Chief Whip Nqabayomzi Kwankwa, MP in the National Assembly Madame Speaker and Honourable Members, The racial strife the #AfrikaansMustFall campaign has caused and other critical issues raised by the #FeesMustFall Movement should rouse us from our deep Rainbow Nation slumber! It is clear that the majority citizens clench pent up frustrations about an economic system that marginalises them and their languages more than two decades since we attained freedom. Kenyan Author, Ngugi wa Thiong’o once shared his insight into the role of language in the historical consciousness and development of nations with these words, and I quote: “It is this aspect of language, as a collective memory-bank of a given people, which has made nations and peoples to take up arms to prevent total annihilation or assimilation of their languages, because it is tantamount to annihilating that people’s collective memory-bank of past achievements and failures which form the basis of their common identity. It is like uprooting that community from history.” End quote. The ongoing racial conflict at our universities over the use of languages can, to some extent, be viewed in this context. It is an attempt by each party to, whether rightly or wrongly, act in manner that seeks to protect and ward off an affront to its “common identity”. With our liberal Constitution, which protects all our rights, this needs not be so. It is the Constitutional right of Afrikaans students to be taught in Afrikaans – and we must respect that! Similarly, it is the Constitutional right of indigenous language speakers to be taught in the language of their choice – and that too must be respected! And no one should foist Afrikaans on our people! The nub of the problem, however, is that, two years later, we have failed to elevate the status and the use of languages of diminished use, in line with Section 6 (2) of the Constitution. We have to develop our languages into academic languages that grant their speakers equal access to power and influence. Speaker, We reject racism with the contempt it deserves. As we do so, we should remember that many students face discrimination at our tertiary institutions on a daily basis. They also have to put up with an alienating institutional culture that makes it difficult for them to acclimatise and to compete with their white counterparts. We have to compel our institutions to build an inclusive institutional culture that integrates students from diverse backgrounds in a manner that follows broad principles of representativity, receptivity and fairness. However, more broadly, the unrest at our universities is a microcosm of South Africa’s larger socio-economic problems, such as the slow pace of economic transformation, high levels of poverty and inequality among the majority citizens, which require urgent attention. We therefore cannot remain impassive in the face of their anguished cries for help! We have to roll-up our sleeves and get involved. But before we do so, our students have to commit to a disciplined, structured and nonviolent struggle that forwards their cause. History warns us against the disastrous consequences of allowing emotions to overwhelm our ability to reason. Fellow South Africans, Whatever our differences, we are all stitched together by our shared history and common destiny. We are therefore all duty-bound to help build a South Africa in which we all look forward to the sunrise of our tomorrow. I thank you.
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08 Mar, 2016
Isilimela Road in Port St Johns and the Mthatha High Court
Statement by Mr Mncedisi Filtane (MP) in the National Assembly Responding to the much published potential loss of the public monies, the United Democratic Movement (UDM) member of the National Assembly Portfolio Committee on Public Works, Mr. Mncedisi Filtane, fielded this question to the Department: “What is that the department if doing about a much publicised potential loss surrounding the stalled road construction of the Isilimela Road in Port St Johns and whose contract value is R200 million?” The department made a commitment in the Portfolio Committee meeting, that it will investigate the matter, working with the Provincial Department of Public Works and thereafter, present a report to the committee soon. The United Democratic Movement welcomes this speedy response and commitment. We hope the investigation will ensure that the much needed road is constructed with speed and that public monies are not wasted. We further welcome a commitment made the by Minister of Public Works with regard to the Mthatha high court infrastructural upgrade. During 2015, this matter was raised with the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services. Amongst issues raised was the infrastructural decay of the high court. Today, the Minister of Public Works, pronounced that the Mthatha high court will be attended to, from the 1st of April 2016 and a progress report will be presented to the Portfolio Committee at the end of the first quarter of the year, which is the end of June. We also welcome this commitment and looking forward to the upgrading of the Mthatha High Court so that it can provide qualitative services to the people.
