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09 Oct, 2015
UDM reacts to SCA decision on SABC coup
Statement issued by President Bantu Holomisa, MP Statement on the Supreme Court of Appeal Judgement delivered on the 8th of October 2015 on a matter between SABC, Minister of Communication, Chief Operations Officer of the SABC and the Democratic Alliance The United Democratic Movement (UDM) welcomes the judgement delivered by the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) on the 8th of October 2015. This judgement vindicates what we have always understood to be the powers of the Office of the Public Protector. When everybody was shouting in Parliament about Nkandla, UDM soberly advised the President to take the report, findings and remedial actions of the Public Protector for judicial review. Yesterday’s SCA judgement has boxed the President into that corner in vindication of sober analysis and advice by the UDM. The SCA said amongst others…”an affected person” or institution aggrieved by a Public Protector’s findings could, in “appropriate circumstances” challenge it by way of review application. It further said “moreover, an individual or body affected by any finding, decision or remedial action taken by the Public Protector is not entitled to embark on a parallel investigation process to that of the Public Protector, and adopt the position that the outcome of that parallel process trumps the findings, decision or remedial actions taken by the Public Protector…” On the 20th of March 2015, I personally and as the Leader of the UDM in Parliament, penned a letter to the Speaker of the National Assembly, amongst others, highlighting to her the process that the NA was about to embark on, of referring the report of the Public Protector to the Minister of Police was flawed and that UDM shall not be part of undermining a Chapter Nine Institution and breaking the law. We were ignored. On the 6th of August 2015, during the question and answer session to the President, I asked the President: “Mr. President, The Public Protector investigated your private property, made findings and took appropriate remedial actions against you Not the cabinet nor this parliament, don’t you consider to save this House and the nation, by simply applying for a Judicial Review given that you have challenged her findings and this House cannot act as an appeal authority on a matter that DOES NOT BELONG HERE”. I see now other parties who were so keen in participating in a parallel process that seek to undermine a Chapter Nine Institution, have also came to this conclusion, and in the usual manner, act as if this has always been their stance. They can have their stolen thunder for the good of the nation. In light of all this, the UDM supports the call to establish a review board to find ways to strengthen Chapter Nine Institutions, such as the Public Protector’s Office and others. Clarification about legal powers of these institutions needs to be made if they are to play a complimentary oversight, assisting Parliament to do its work. Chapter Nine Institutions are there to help Parliament with oversight issues, and not merely act as watchdogs. Parliament needs to work in support of these institutions not to assist the axe against them.
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07 Oct, 2015
Harsh measures against “baby dumpers”
Statement issued by Thandi Nontenja – UDEMWO Secretary General In the wake of new born babies being abandoned and deserted throughout the country, the United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation (UDEMWO) is calling for harsh actions against those responsible for these inhumane acts. The abandonment of babies has become a norm and it is not acceptable at all. This is a problem that has gotten out hand. A lot must be done by government with society to deal with this problem. Campaigns must be in place in educating young women and make sure that this does not continue as it does now. A number of new born babies were reported to be found abandoned in different places in the country this week even though women have options of taking their babies into places of safety. This shows clearly that there is a serious problem with our society. It is high time that we as communities stop looking the other side while the moral fibre of our societies is being dehumanized. Communities need to speak out on such incidents happening in their neighbourhoods. It is high time we go back to the spirit of Ubuntu. There is absolutely no justification into why someone would dump or kill a child in this day of access to clinics and other non-governmental institutions that offer help. UDEMWO calls for punitive measures to those who abandon or kill babies. They have a right to life too. End
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29 Sep, 2015
March against corruption on 30 of September 2015
The march against corruption on the 30th of September 2015, is consistent with the UDM position well-articulated in our 2014 Manifesto. Indeed corruption undermines and destroys the liberties enshrined in the country’s constitution, for which many paid the supreme price. This country can never succeed in eradicating poverty, create employment and reduce inequality if corruption is allowed to be the order of the day. The gains of our freedom and rights of citizens are undermined. The recently reported corruption court case in the United States in which the ANC is alleged to have benefitted through its infamous Chancellor House, is but one in many. If the ANC is serious about clear and corrupt free governance, it must simply pay back the money it benefitted through corrupt activities. South Africans should not allow the ruling party’s extortions of money from companies doing business with its government. The VW scandal could negatively affect job creation in South Africa. In this regard, we shall be part of the masses of the people of this country who commit to fight against the looting from the poor by both those who control the public office and the private sector. As UDM, we have a clear record of fighting corruption and we shall not be stopped. I call on all members of UDM and citizens in general to join the march against corruption on the 30th of September 2015. End
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14 Sep, 2015
UDM reacts to the appointment of Mthandazo Ntlemeza as new head of the Hawks
Statement issued by Bongani Msomi – UDM Secretary General The United Democratic Movement (UDM) welcomes the appointment of Mthandazo Berning Ntlemeza as the new head of Hawks. It remains to been seen whether the statement made by the Pretoria High Court Judge, Elias Matojane, who earlier this year found him as a liar and dishonest person was untrue and baseless. We hope that Ntlemeza is not blowing his own horn and start to deliver. It is up to him to prove that what were said by the Judge were just comments as Minister Nathi Nhleko has said in defending his appointment. We also hope that this is not another cadre deployment. End
Admin
10 Sep, 2015
Ongoing scourge of corruption in SA
address Mr ML Filtane MP in the National Assembly Honourable Speaker and members Corruption, poverty eradication, job opportunity creation and closing the gap between the poor and the rich, are permanent enemies who cannot share the same bed. It undermines the people and it renders their freedom unstable and insecure, making it impossible to achievement the kind of society envisaged in the Constitution of the Republic. A quick account on the effects of corruption over the 20 last years of democracy can be summarised as follows: In 1994, the ruling party contested the elections under the slogan: “A better life for all”. This was not about a better life for some, who happened to be in government or well connected to politicians or to the ruling party or for those who use the system to line their pockets. It cannot be a better life for those as Brenda Fassie would say: “Kuyangokuthi ungubani, uphila nobani, udlisa kanjani, ungena kwindawo ezinjani.” It must be a better life to all, because that is what the struggle was all about. After all this is what many went to jail for, exile with some paying the supreme price, death, killed by apartheid agents or hanged. In 1999, we were told: “Together fighting for change”. It can only be presumed that this referred to the need to change the lives of the South Africans for better especially those of women, children, youth, rural and urban people across the length and breadth of the country. Whilst our education and health crumbles, corruption is on the rise. Whilst the fight for the so-called security upgrades in Nkandla is on the high, the rest of the rural communities will leave under the same and sometimes even worse conditions as they were before the dawn of democracy, yet corruption is on the rise. In 2004, the rallying cry was: “A peoples contract to create work and fight poverty”. The recent census report together with an announcement on made as back on 30 March 2011 by the former head of Asset Forfeiture Unit, Adv Willie Hofmeyr that about R30 billion per annum is lost to corruption on state tenders, speaks volumes. Interesting, today, the reports have not changed. We thought this was a people’s contract to fight poverty of the people who live in dire conditions, not through food parcels but through building economy that creates jobs especially for young people and women who are hardest hit by poverty and unemployment in the sea of corruption. In 2009, the sign post read: “Working together we can do more”. More what – Corruption, undermine the Rule of Law, the Constitution, dumping down of health, education and social security? Surely South Africans can’t be part of that togetherness. In 2014, the posts read: “Together we move South Africa Forward”. What is moving forward – is the looting of public resources by the ruling elite in a speedy faster than that of a Tsunami. Corruption has reach a point where the people of South Africa must now stand up and reclaim their freedom from the ruling elite. An element of a constituency based electoral system with Participatory Deliberate Model of Democracy, ensures direct accountability of public representatives to the people. It also creates a Democratic Citizenship. The time to reclaim our freedom is NOW. I thank you.
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10 Sep, 2015
Unemployed graduates
Address by Ms CN Majeke, MP in the National Assembly Hon Speaker and members According to the 2014 Statistic South Africa Quarterly Labour Force Survey 4, the unemployment rate amongst men with tertiary qualification ranged from 1.9% to 11% whilst amongst women with the same qualification ranged from 2.5% to 16.1%. Looking at Thembinkosi Phakathi, a 22 year old Public Relations graduate from the Durban University of Technology, standing at the corner of Rivonia Road and Sandton Drive, begging for nothing else but a job, so that amongst others, he can be able to pay back the NSFAS debt. On the other side of the road, the Grayston Drive, stands a 25 year old qualified electrical engineer, Tankiso Motaung, joining in what can be called “Graduate’s Street Marketing”, for no less than eight hours with a placard begging for a job. In the mist of all this painful sight, are daily media reports about many in both the public and private sector, in positions of employment, with either no qualification, or fraudulently claimed qualification. The scourge of Fake Qualifications in the labour market may outnumber the number of qualified graduates looking for employment. There is an urgent need for decisive intervention with drastic actions in defence of the poor unemployed young and old qualifying citizens, the economy of our country and indeed in order to ensure effective and efficient delivery of services to the people. Amongst others, this needs to be declared a national crisis so that urgent practical and lasting solutions can be found with speed. Lessons on these matters can be drawn from many other similar campaigns we had as a country, like the TRC, Gun Free Society as well as from countries which have dealt with similar situations. We must STOP FAKE QUALIFICATION and CREATE JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR QUALIFIED CITIZENS. Thank you.
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18 Aug, 2015
“Does South Africa Need Electoral Reform?” – Daily Dispatch Dialogue
Daily Dispatch Dialogue on – 18 August 2015, Guild Theater, East London at 18h40. TOPIC: “Does South Africa Need Electoral Reform.” By Mr Bantu Holomisa, President of the United Democratic Movement and Member of Parliament. Programme Director, Fellow Panellists and Participants, good evening. Let me from the onset, acknowledge and welcome the great and timely contribution by Mama Bam on one of the most important matter of national interest. Indeed Electoral Systems do play a significant role in the creation of a truly democratic society. Her book, “Democracy, More than Just Elections” not only provides an insight into various dimensions of her wealth of knowledge and wisdom on the workings of democracy – it also re-affirms and reinforce a clarion call that has reverberated our national discourse as far back as 2000. In this regard, we support her well-considered view that, South Africa does need an electoral regime that will encourage greater responsibility and accountability from citizens and political leaders. We hope that her voice, as it adds to others will mobilise citizens and political leader into action. In your book you said, “We all know that cynicism about politicians and their parties exists everywhere in the world, but it is more pronounced where there is no structural connection between politicians and voters. We are now a maturing democracy and should consider changing our electoral system which ushered in our heart-earned democracy. We are more self – confident, self – assured and more responsible for our own lives than to relegate our right to choose the leader of our country to card carrying members of the parties. It is time to review our electoral reform system”. Sisi Hlophe, I could not agree more with your well thought observation. Indeed Section 43 (3) of the South African Constitution states that, “the National Assembly is elected to represent the people to ensure government by the people through the Constitution”. I strongly believe that, 21 years into democracy, the participatory deliberative model of democracy should be central in the enrichment and strengthening of democratic citizenship. Political accountability is at the heart of fully-functioning democracy. The current proportional representation (PR) system means that elected leaders are accountable solely to their party bosses and not to the people who voted them into office. In addition the current practice where political parties impose their choice of president on the nation is profoundly undemocratic. Through the current system, electorate mandates a political party to govern based on its policies and manifesto. However, we have noticed that the ruling party is held at ransom from implementing its mandate because some of their allies who have not been mandated by the electorate seem to have veto powers in particular with regard to Economic Policies. This dilemma makes governance ineffective, compromise confidence of investors, jobs shading, increasing levels of poverty and result to instability. Once such situation exists, opportunistic leaders take advantage and do things that have nothing to do with the electorate’s mandate but their own interests, like the current disputed procurement of nuclear energy and many other questionable transactions such as Arm’s Deal. To make things worse these leaders become intransigent and use these MP’s who have no constituencies as voting cattle to rubber stamp their nefarious objectives. The UDM notes that a great deal of inputs from diverse and often conflicting social, economic, political, linguist and cultural communities as well as interests groups informed the decisions which were made and ultimately culminated in the Constitution we have today that has become an international benchmark. Any discussion on a new electoral system must always remind us where we come from. We should move towards a mixed electoral system that draws from the strengths of both the proportional and constituency based electoral systems. The first major step we need to take is the introduction of constituencies into the PR system to ensure that politicians have a specific geographically-defined community they represent. We also need to change the electoral laws to allow for a separately elected President, as is the case in many democracies across the globe in that way we will put the power back in the hands of the voters. However, it is important that any electoral reform process culminates in as widely inclusive manner as possible. We would do well to follow the example of many countries such as New Zealand, Ireland etc, who confirmed electoral reforms by holding referendums. In this way, every voter is consulted directly. The current electoral system risks the checks and balances that are a necessity in ensuring that the Constitutional dictates are adhered to at all material times. The research conducted by Community Agency for Social Enquiry (CASE) and release in April 2014, has made serious findings that may question the legitimacy of the election processes. Amongst others, it has found that the electorate is a subject of political intimidation through, amongst others: · Manipulation of people using misinformation and threats regarding pensions and grants; · Interfering with access to meeting facilities; · The disruption of meetings; · Assaults and threats of physical harm; and · Punishing people who associate with rival political parties through the denial of jobs, contracts, services and development opportunities. In addition, the research report concludes that, voters and electoral processes are manipulated and opposition parties are undermined through: · Fraudulent voter registration; and · The targeted use of government resources to promote parties immediately prior to elections. When last for instance did you see trucks distributing food parcels to the needy, but come elections next year you will see them often, to hood-wink the voters. The other body that causes a lot of confusion is the Demarcation Board whose mandate to draw boundaries is always done to favour the ruling party. Citizens in the meantime are also demobilised into non active and disorganised individuals, whose collective voices are only heard when they take to the streets to demand service. There is no deliberate direct involvement of the people in running their own affairs, taking charge of their own lives and freedom, with government and other development agencies as facilitators. To make things worse, some civil society organs like, unions who were supposed to be at the centre of mobilising communities into activism, are core governing with the ruling elite. During elections, some of their members become part of the IEC machinery. If you take a case of a POPCRU member who is supposed to intervene in the disruption of a political party’s elections meeting; where the ruling party is involved, such a member would certainly be compromised from discharging his or her Constitutional obligation without fair or favour. His or her ascendance to the next higher position at work, is intrinsically depended on the deployment committee of the ruling party. No member of a Cosatu affiliated union will be able to carry-out his or her work fairly and without bias and yet some of the SADTU members are presiding over voting stations and take serious decisions that influences the outcome of any election. Ballot boxes are transported from one point to the other; either by the members of POPCRU and or the Intelligence officers whose loyalty is not in doubt. The South African Electoral Commission is chosen by the ruling party using its majority in Parliament, the recent appointment is a case in point, where all other parties objected but the ruling party forced it through our throats at the expense of reasoning. These appointments cascade down to Municipal Electoral Officers (MEO) who in many if not all instances are; a municipal senior officials whose appointments to those municipalities are determined by party bosses through deployment policy. As if these and other are not enough, the companies contracted to capture IEC data are secrete, not only to the electorate but also to the political parties who participate in the elections. Whilst electoral systems in themselves do not secure deliberative participation and direct accountability to citizens, putting a face to a representation, and placing political accountability to communities through the election of identifiable individuals who are accessible between elections, would benefit South African democracy. Finally, these reforms should go beyond the system itself, but such other matters as the party-political funding and the rules and regulations needed to ensure sound, ethical party fund-raising. I thank you.
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12 Aug, 2015
National Women’s Day
ADDRESS BY Ms CN Majeke MP in the National Assembly SUBJECT FOR DISCUSSION: NATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY – Women United in moving South Africa forward Honourable Speaker and Members Despite progress reported in the Report on the Status of Women in South Africa; most rural women and girls are still facing more obstacles in gaining access to public service, social protection, decent employment opportunities, and markets and other institutions. The voice of rural women must be recognised in policy making in order to end discriminatory practices and ensure their access to land and other productive resources. When women are empowered and can claim their rights, they gain access to land, leadership opportunities, opportunities and choices, economies grow, food security is enhanced and prospects are improved for current and future generations. Rural women are key agents for achieving the transformational economic, environmental and social changes required for sustainable development. But limited access to credit, health care and education are amongst the many challenges they face, which are further aggravated by global food and economic crises and climate change. Empowering rural women is key not only to the well-being of individuals, families and rural communities, but also to the overall economic productivity. Until women are seen as equal human beings, the eradication of gender based violence and empowerment of rural women and girls will not be successful. The huge sums of monies used every year during the National Women’s Month should also help to introduce preventative measures which will help to prevent women from being victims of human trafficking, patriarchal system, social and economic ills. In the words of the then Secretary General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan “Gender equality is more than a goal in itself. It is a precondition for meeting the challenge of reducing poverty, promoting sustainable development and building good governance”. Indeed pathways out of poverty for rural women should include measures designed in such a way as to reflect the complexity of gendered rural livelihoods. Policies intended to address rural poverty should not be treated in isolation hence it is important to implement education, land and credit measures, as well as active labour market policies and social protection in an integrated manner, understanding their interdependencies and fostering synergies. Thank you
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12 Aug, 2015
UDEMWO calls for the protection of rape victims
Statement issued by Thandi Nontenja: UDEMWO Secretary General As the United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation (UDEMWO), we are saddened to witness growing numbers of abuse towards women while we are still celebrating the women’s month in South Africa. The rape of the 23 year old woman in Nkanini – Khayelitsha while her boyfriend was shot and killed trying to protect her is really inhumane that is why we are calling upon the South African Police Service officials to make swift actions in arresting those involved in this ruthless incident. Once the culprit is arrested, the Department of Justice must make sure that the culprit does not get to see the sun again and must rot in jail without bail mean while the Correctional Service must make sure that culprits are not being considered for parole. Once you violate one’s right you must forfeit yours. We are also calling upon the Social Development MEC in Western Cape, Albert Fritz to make sure that the victim gets all the support and protection she needs as she is at high risk because she knows her attacker. What is sadder is the fact that those involved in the crime are from our very communities. We also urge members of community to hold hands in protection of women and children. We cannot afford to see women and children being victims of crime and as UDEMWO, we feel that government has not done much in making sure that women and children’s rights are protected and that is why as UDEMWO, we demand that government come up with a clear strategy in curbing violence against women and children. There are so many campaigns in relations to this by non-governmental Organisations and other interest groups however, the role of government is the missing link in this dire situation. End
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07 Aug, 2015
Submission of the Opposition Parties to the Ad Hoc Committee on Nkandla: ANC rejected it
THE AD-HOC COMMITTEE ON THE REPORT OF THE MINISTER OF POLICE TO PARLIAMENT ON THE SECURITY UPGRADES AT THE NKANDLA PRIVATE RESIDENCE OF THE PRESIDENT A. STRUCTURE OF THE REPORT 1. This report is in two parts. The first part addresses itself to the legality and constitutionality of the process that has culminated in the appointment of the Ad Hoc Committee. The second part, to the extent that it is relevant, addresses the content of the Report that is ostensibly the subject matter of the Ad Hoc Committee’s enquiry, with added observations and a recommendation. B. PART I 2. In the course of March 2014, the Public Protector delivered a report entitled Secure in Comfort: Report on an investigation into allegations of impropriety and unethical conduct relating to the installation and implementation of security measures by the Department of Public Works at and in respect of the private residence of President Jacob Zuma at Nkandla in the KwaZulu-Natal province (Report No 25 of 2013/14). This report made certain observations, findings and recommendations. It also ordered certain remedial action to occur. The most significant remedial action for current purposes are contained in section 11.1 of the Report, as follows: 11. REMEDIAL ACTION Remedial action to be taken in terms of section 182(1)(c) of the constitution is the following: 11.1 The President is to: 11.1.1 Take steps, with the assistance of the National Treasury and the SAPS, to determine the reasonable cost of the measures implemented by the DPW at his private residence that do not relate to security, and which include Visitors’ Centre, the amphitheatre, the cattle kraal and chicken run, the swimming pool. 11.1.2 Pay a reasonable percentage of the costs as determined with the assistance of National Treasury, also considering the DPW apportionment document. 11.1.3 Reprimand the Ministers involved for the appalling manner in which the Nkandla Project was handled and state funds were abused. 11.1.4 Report to the National Assembly on his comments and actions on this report within 14 days. (our emphasis) 3. In her findings, the Public Protector established that there were many features of the upgrades that did not constitute legitimate security upgrades and/or that the extent of the security upgrades were far more elaborate (and expensive) than those recommended by the Security Evaluation Report of the South African Police Service (SAPS). These variations formed part of a document prepared by the Department of Public Works (DPW) that indicated the apportionment of the estimated costs between the DPW and the President (see sections 6.72 and 7.27 of the Report). The words “which include”, in section 11.1.1 of the Report, clearly indicates that there were other features of the upgrades, apart from the Visitors’ Centre, the amphitheatre, the cattle kraal, chicken run and the swimming pool, for which the President was responsible. Also, according to the Public Protector, even the President himself indicated that he knew that he was responsible for some of the costs of relocating the cattle kraal (see section 6.63.2). The Public Protector, in section 9.2.18 of her Report, states – The excessive nature in which the Nkandla Project was implemented went a long way to beautify the President’s private residence and to add comfort to its infrastructure, which was not the objective of security measures that had to be implemented for his protection. 4. In any event, the following steps were taken by the President in reaction to the remedial action ordered by the Public Protector. He addressed a letter to the Speaker of the National Assembly on 2 April 2014 (which was within the 14 days specified by the Public Protector). In this letter, the President referred to the investigations that had been undertaken by the “multi-disciplinary Task Team” and the Public Protector. He observed that, despite the fact that both investigations had “enquired into substantively the same subject matter”, “there are stark differences both in respect of the findings as well as the remedial action proposed (sic) in the two reports.” He then stated that during December 2013 he had issued a proclamation in “the course of December 2013” instructing the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) “to enquire into and investigate the security upgrades at Nkandla.” He concluded by stating that he was “intent on giving full and proper consideration to all these matters and upon receipt of the SIU report will provide Parliament with a further final report on the decisive executive interventions which I consider would be appropriate.” 5. The Final Report of the SIU is dated 20 August 2014. Even before this, the President submitted a Report to the Speaker of the National Assembly regarding the security upgrades at the Nkandla Private Residence of His Excellency President Jacob G Zuma, dated 14 August 2014. This is a 20 page report, much of which is irrelevant for current purposes. However, at page 14 and following, the President deals with the remedial action “Proposed” (sic) by the Public Protector (para 51). He then seeks to evaluate the report of the SIU, and to compare and contrast the two reports. The President’s analysis concludes – 61. A proper appraisal of the commissioning of the security upgrades and expenditure at Nkandla must of necessity include an examination of the conduct of the Executive as measured against the Constitution and the prescripts set out in paragraph 6 above. 62. This examination and intervention has not awaited the compilation of this report and, as government, measures have already been adopted to ensure compliance with the legislative framework and the review and determination of best practices. 63. What appears apparent (sic) is that whilst a legislative framework exists, it was either deficient in certain respects, or wholly ignored or miss-applied (sic). The President then states – 64. I deem the following to be appropriate: 63.1(sic) the Minister of Police as the implementing Minister under the National Key Points Act, to expedite the review of this legislation which is currently under way and to report to Cabinet periodically of the progress in this regard; 63.2(sic) the Minister of Police as the designated Minister under the National Key Points Act, to report to Cabinet on a determination to whether the President is liable for any contribution in respect of the security upgrades having regard to the legislation, past practices, culture and findings contained in the respective reports; 63.3(sic)….63.5 (sic)………… 65. I am satisfied with the progress reported by the SIU and that the interventions both proposed and actualized in terms of our civil and criminal law, as well as departmental procedures, speak to the seriousness of their findings and in accordance with the terms of reference set out in the proclamation. 66. I am equally satisfied that adequate steps have been taken by parliament and the executive in reviewing the ethical codes applicable to members of cabinet and of parliament. 6.1 In our view, the President’s report, and particularly what appears in it as paragraph 63.2 was irrational, unconstitutional and unlawful. The Public Protector is a Chapter Nine institution, and the Constitution, in section 181(3), requires that – Other organs of state, through legislative and other measures, must assist and protect these institutions to ensure the independence, impartiality, dignity and effectiveness of these institutions. 6.2 The President is an organ of state and is bound by the Constitution (and indeed, his oath of office) to at very least assist the Public Protector. As is evident from Part G of the Public Protector’s report (pp 269 to 283), the President’s assistance to the Public Protector was grudging and incomplete. 6.3 More problematically, section 182(1) of the Constitution reads – The Public Protector has the power, as regulated by national legislation – (a)…. (b)…. (c) to take appropriate remedial action. 6.4 The force and effect of remedial action ordered by the Public Protector has been the subject of litigation in the case of Democratic Alliance v the SABC and others (case number 12497/2014) before the Western Cape High Court. Although leave has been granted to the Supreme Court of Appeal, the current law exists as stated by Schippers J: “a finding of the Public Protector is not binding on persons and organs of state”. This was, for example, the convenient conclusion to which the Ad Hoc Committee’s Report dated 11 November 2014 came, at paragraph 3.3. 6.5 However that was not all the judgment stated. In paragraph 59 and following, the Judge states – [59] However, the fact that the findings of and remedial action taken by the Public Protector are not binding decisions does not mean that these findings and remedial actions are mere recommendations, which an organ of state may accept or reject. [60] The respondents accept – as they must – that an organ of state cannot ignore the findings and remedial action of the Public Protector. That much is clear from s 181(3) of the Constitution which provides that other organs of state, through legislative and other measures, must assist and protect the Chapter 9 institutions, to ensure their independence, impartiality, dignity and effectiveness. 6.6 Schippers J goes on in paragraph 63 as follows: [63] The respondents, in effect, have rejected the Public Protector’s findings and remedial action, by not convening a disciplinary enquiry and appointing Motsoeneng permanently as COO. Disregarding findings and remedial action subverts the Public Protector’s powers under s 182 of the Constitution. The powers of the Public Protector to investigate any conduct in the public administration and to take appropriate remedial action, strengthens democracy by providing both the individual and the wider society with the assurance that the various institutions of state can be called to account, should they fail to maintain expected standards in carrying out their functions or in their dealings with the public. In turn, the bond of trust between the citizen and the state is strengthened by promoting transparency in government and other state institutions. [64] The critical role which the Public Protector fulfils cannot be over-emphasised. As was said in Mail & Guardian: “The office of the Public Protector is an important institution. It provides what will often be a last defence against bureaucratic oppression, and against corruption and malfeasance in public office that are capable of insidiously destroying the nation. If that institution falters, or finds itself undermined, the nation loses an indispensable constitutional guarantee.” 6.7 Schippers J then deals with the powers of the Public Protector – 66] It seems to me that before rejecting the findings or remedial action of the Public Protector, the relevant organ of state must have cogent reasons for doing so, that is for reasons other than merely a preference for its own view…. 6.8 Justice Schippers then concludes as follows – [72] thus in a case where the Public Protector makes findings and takes remedial action, the consequential steps to be taken by the relevant organ of state, in my view, are these: (a) The organ of state must properly consider the findings and remedial action. As the findings are not binding and enforceable, the organ of state must decide whether or not the findings should be accepted and the remedial action implemented. That is the purpose of the power. (b) The process by which that decision is made and the decision itself, must be rational, having regard to the underlying purpose of the Public Protector – to ensure that government officials carry out their tasks effectively, fairly and without corruption or prejudice. (c) In a case where a dispute arises because the organ of state decides not to accept the findings or implement the remedial action, it obviously has to engage the Public Protector. Contrary to the contention by counsel for the first to third respondents, such engagement, in my view, does not take place pursuant to the provisions of s 41 of the Constitution – the Public Protector is not an organ of state within a sphere of government as contemplated in s 41(1). (It is thus hardly surprising that the Intergovernmental Framework Act 13 of 2005 does not apply to the Public Protector.) (d) Ultimately the relevant organ of state may apply for judicial review of the Public Protector’s investigation and report. [73] It goes without saying that a decision by an organ of state rejecting the findings and remedial action of the Public Protector is itself, capable of judicial review on conventional public law grounds. [74] For these reasons, I have come to the conclusion that the findings of the Public Protector are not binding and enforceable. However, when an organ of state rejects those findings or the remedial action, that decision itself must not be irrational. 6.9 The question that needs to be answered is whether the President, in dealing with the findings and remedial action ordered by the Public Protector, conformed with the exposition of the law in the SABC case. Our contention is that he did not, for the following reasons: 6.9.1 He did not conform with the remedial action of the Public Protector. He did not, and has not taken steps to determine the reasonable costs of those measures that do not relate to security, with the assistance of the SAPS and the National Treasury; 6.9.2 He has not expressly stated that he does not accept the Public Protector’s findings. Instead he has substituted a different remedy – that of requiring the Minister of Police to determine not only his portion of the costs, but whether he is liable at all. In other words, the President has substituted another remedial action for that ordered by the Public Protector; 6.9.3 In neither his report to Parliament nor his response to the Public Protector, has the President advanced rational reasons why he does not agree with the findings made up, and remedial action ordered, by the Public Protector; and 6.9.4 He has not engaged meaningfully with the Public Protector. His interaction with her, after she sent him her preliminary report, appears to be confined to a single exchange of letters on 21 August 2014, from the Public Protector, and 11 September 2014, by the President. In the latter, the President “respectfully” disagreed with the Public Protector’s contention that remedial action could only be set aside by a review application and reiterated that “I consider the Minister of Police to be the appropriate functionary for the purpose (of determining liability for payments) and reasons tendered in my report to the National Assembly.”; and 6.9.5 The President has not taken the findings and remedial action on review. 6.10 On 19 August 2014, the National Assembly resolved to establish an Ad Hoc Committee to consider the report of the President and to make recommendations where necessary. After some discussion, the mandate of the Committee was expressly extended to the Reports of the Public Protector, the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence, the Inter-Ministerial Task Team, and the Special Investigating Unit. 6.11 The Opposition Parties participated in this Ad Hoc Committee with the purpose of trying to ensure that effect was given to the remedial action ordered by the Public Protector, and if not, that the President be required to give evidence as to why he had chosen to substitute the remedial action with another course of action. When it became clear that the majority party was not amenable to such a course of action, the opposition parties discontinued their participation in the Committee. 7.1 There is a further fatal flaw in this process. In his Report to Parliament dated 14 August 2014, at paragraph 63.2 (sic), the President deemed it “appropriate” to direct – The Minister of Police as the designated Minister under the National Key Points Act, to report to Cabinet on a determination to whether the President is liable for any contribution in respect of the security upgrades having regard to the legislation, past practices, culture and findings contained in the respective reports. 7.2 The Minister of Police is appointed to the Cabinet by the President, and serves on the Cabinet at the President’s pleasure. This inevitably caused a conflict of interest, and made it impossible for the Minister of Police to give an honest and dispassionate assessment. In fact, by assuming this responsibility, the Minister of Police potentially violated section 96(2)(b) of the Constitution, which reads as follows – Members of the Cabinet and Deputy Ministers may not – (a)……. (b) act in a way that is inconsistent with their office, or expose themselves to any situation involving the risk of a conflict between their official responsibilities and their private interests; or (c)……. 7.3 It is contended that, as a result of his conflicted position, the Minister inevitably produced a report that failed to rigorously address itself to his mandate. The Report unsurprisingly and inevitably exonerated the President from any liability to repay any money. Indeed, the Report suggests that still further money needs to be expended to secure the President’s private residence. 8. The current Ad Hoc Committee has been appointed to consider this Report. C. PART II 9. The current Ad Hoc Committee has been established to consider the Report by the Minister of Police to Parliament on Security Upgrades at the Nkandla Private Residence of the President. This report is dated 25 March 2015, but was only released on 28 May 2015. We contend that the Ad Hoc Committee should reject this Report in its entirety, for the following reasons: 9.1 First, because it is unconstitutional and irrational, for the reasons articulated above. It assumes a status equivalent to that of the Public Protector, which is a Chapter 9 institution. 9.2 Secondly, because the Report is amateurish, facile and superficial. It is poorly drafted, riddled with grammatical, spelling and typographical errors and is, in places, factually inaccurate. Embarrassingly, it relies on “desktop research” that would not pass muster for an average high school assignment, far less a report to Parliament. Even the quote from Wikipedia (in the first instance hardly the most authoritative source), in paragraph 6.5.1 on page 33, is not even transcribed correctly. (…to sit comfortable…) For other substantiation, the report relies on “experts” and “consultancies” not all of whom are named, and whose submissions were not immediately available to the committee. It is accordingly difficult not simply to reject the report out of hand. 9.3 Thirdly, because in terms of its methodology, the Report cherry-picks “evidence” from “experts” and from reports that substantiate what was clearly an already determined conclusion. Much of the “expert evidence” relies on vague generalisations. We do not know the qualifications and expertise of these “experts”, what advice they gave, whether that advice was correctly recorded, or whether that advice was quoted in context. 9.3.1 The Report disregards inconvenient evidence, adduced by other experts and other reports, to the contrary. Thus, for example, the Public Protector’s Report contained 13 findings and ordered 30 remedial action steps. Yet the Public Protector’s Report is quoted only twice in the Police Minister’s Report. In addition, the Police Minister’s Report directly contradicts the findings and remedial action of the Public Protector, without in any way advancing rational reasons for doing so. Likewise, the Report approvingly quotes some of the SIU findings, but disregards others that do not suit the narrative. It is worth noting that, unlike the Public Protector, the SIU did rely on the advice of “experts” in arriving at its conclusions (see para 4 p 129 of the SIU report). 9.3.2 The most egregious of the inconvenient evidence ignored by the Police Minister’s report is that the President benefitted personally, through improvements to his private residence, from the security upgrades. The Public Protector found this to be the case as a matter of fact, and by way of remedial action, ordered him to determine the reasonable cost of these improvements, with the assistance of the SAPS and the National Treasury, and to repay that amount. 9.3.3 The SIU is more circumspect but no less definite. Adv Soni makes the following observations: · “Certain items identifies by Makhanya for the private upgrades were also reflected in the SAPS May (2009) assessment reports.” (para 22, p 71);“The ‘Preliminary Cost Estimate No 2’ (of 24 August 2009), which was attached to the progress report, noted that the estimated cost of the project had increased to R109 208 760 for the public process. It reflected an amount of R22 836 026 for private works.” (para 43, p 79; see also para 153, p 122);“He (Khanyile) told them that the President had requested that the same private professional team whom he had appointed to effect the private improvements at Nkandla be used to effect the security upgrades at Nkandla.” (para 50, p 81);“The minutes of the meeting held on 30 November 2010 reflect that Deputy Minister Bogopane-Zulu requested Khanyile to confirm the order for the supply of the air conditioners by 30 December 2010 and further requested that a follow-up be made on the order for the air conditioners as she required the air conditioning units to be on site by 1 December 2010.” (para 94, p 99: the SIU found that the air conditioners were not part of the security upgrades ordered by the SAPS – see Table 2 on p 133);“Second, increases in the cost of among other things the following: shaded parking for VIPs and the swimming pool; and landscaping and storm water control.” (para 154, p 122: the SIU found that shaded parking for VIPs, the swimming pool and landscaping were not part of the security upgrades ordered by the SAPS – see Table 2 on p 133);“First, this estimate (of 16 August 2010) was the first in which there was no breakdown between the public works and the private works. This new format, in which there was no breakdown between public and private, persisted until January 2011.” (para 159, p 123-4);“It was noted above that the estimates from 28 August 2009 to 8 December 2010 did not include the costs of the private works…At a meeting held during December 2010 between Paisley and Rindel, Paisley insisted that Rindel and his team show what the private costs were…From this point on, the private costs were again included in the cost estimates prepared by R&G. Paisley told the SIU that after she had queried the exorbitant cost and had insisted on a separate allocation of costs between private and public, she was removed from the project and had no further role to play.” (para 163, p 125);In paragraphs 166, 167 and 168, on page 126, the estimates of the private costs range between R2 965 838.55 and R10 752 770.66.;“However, by June 2010, when the SAPS finalised its report after its final assessment, the security requirements had been fully and finally determined.” And “Upgrading beyond what had been determined as a requirement would constitute a violation of section 33(1) of the Constitution, which requires organs of State to act lawfully and reasonably.” (paras 1 and 2, p 127);Table 2 on page 133 specifies upgrades that were supplied that were beyond what had been determined as a security requirement by the SAPS. In relation to the President’s homestead alone, these included “tunnels linking the houses to the bunker which includes three lifts and an exit tunnel”; “visitors’ lounge: a 116 square metre building Control room: a 114 square metre building”; “VIP Parking: 171.52 square metres structure with motorised garage doors and parking for 9 vehicles”; “Fire pool: a 175kl pool, with an area of 97 square metres and a depth of 1.8 metres”; “Four households relocated and partial restructure of a house outside the residential complex”; “Six roads constructed”; “Air conditioning in each of the houses”; “Landscaping to enhance beauty of inner high security area” and “Sewer pump house, sewer plant and water reservoir constructed.” ;“She (Bogopane-Zulu) had been involved in the provisioning of the fire pool. She said the possibility of building a fire pool and the possible building of a swimming pool for use by surrounding communities had been discussed and cost estimates were to be prepared. She had however that the cost estimates include an apportionment of costs between the State and the President. She did not discuss the fire pool with the President as no options or cost apportionments were presented to her.” (para 98, p 177);Table 3 on page 215 repeats the SIU’s finding of those upgrades that were not specified as security requirements in the SAPS security assessment. 9.3.4 In a nutshell, the SIU finds the following: first, that there were upgrades undertaken that were over and above those required by the SAPS to guarantee the President’s security; secondly, that there was a clear acknowledgment at various stages of the project implementation that the President was responsible for some of the costs of the upgrades (although the estimates of such costs varied); thirdly, that even where upgrades were necessary, the scale of construction far exceeded what had been stated as security requirements; and fourthly, as the SIU report states it: “[i]n yet other instances, having regard to the purpose to be served by the upgrades, reasonable modesty gave way to indefensible extravagance.” (para 4 p 129). 9.3.5 We find the failure of the Police Minister’s Report to deal with these matters to be a fatal shortcoming and a further reason to reject the Report. 9.4 Fourthly, because the Police Minister’s Report selectively and conveniently confines itself (inadequately and imperfectly) entirely to the matters identified specifically in the Public Protector’s as needing to be paid in full or in part by the President. But the Public Protector did not say that these were the only aspects of the upgrades for which the President was wholly or partly responsible. In paragraph 11.1.1 of her Report, the Public Protector states that he President is to: “Take steps, with the assistance of the National Treasury and the SAPS, to determine the reasonable cost of the measures implemented by the DPW at his private residence that do not relate to security, and which include Visitors’ Centre, the amphitheatre, the cattle kraal and chicken run, the swimming pool.” As was argued above, the SIU identified other aspects of the upgrades that were not identified by the SAPS security assessments. 10. What the Police Minister’s Report does is to seek to rationalise the excessive and non-security upgrades by inventing ex post facto justifications for them. In his attempt to circumvent the inconvenient fact that many of these upgrades were not called for by the SAPS security evaluation, and were accordingly, not justified, the Minister vaguely states in paragraph 7.4 that – “The SAPS Security Evaluation Report in which some of these features are requested or implied is proper, well done and relevant; however, the security advisors could have been explicit and more detail would have assisted non-security persons.” What this extraordinary statement suggests is that the SAPS Evaluation Report was vague, and that it was up to others to interpret what it was that the SAPS meant. It further tellingly says that there were, in the Police Minister’s mind other features that were justified that were implied rather than explicitly stated in the Evaluation Report. By a logic that belongs in a Kafka novel, the Police Minister’s report is able to justify all the features as security upgrades and therefore to absolve the “State President” (sic) from any liability to pay for them. OBSERVATIONS 1. It should be stated at the outset that all the opposition parties that participated in this process did so in good faith. This was motivated largely by the undertaking given by the Chief Whip of the ANC in the National Assembly that “all and any” witnesses could be called before the Committee, and that the Committee would operate in terms of Rule 138. It became apparent only last week that the ANC members of the Committee would frustrate any attempt to call any witnesses other than those under the control of their caucus. 2. It should be further noted that the observations set out hereunder are precisely that – observations following an in loco visit. They are not intended to in any way replace the findings of the reports of the Public Protector or the Special Investigating Unit. This Committee is legally not empowered to do that. It is noted that: 3. The President and his family have benefitted unduly from the upgrades to his private family residence; 4. There were improvements that were obviously not security related, including but not limited to the swimming pool, the amphitheatre, the larger cattle kraal, the visitors centre, extensive paving and the relocation of neighbours; 5. It is entirely possible that when the Public Protector visited Nkandla 18 months ago prior to compiling her report the whole place was in a better condition and that is has been allowed to deteriorate since her visit; 6. The above also applies to the visit of the Special Investigating Unit in July 2014; 7. The Minister of Police misinterpreted his mandate and only concentrated on 4 issues. He failed to consider the other issues raised in the reports of the Public Protector and the Special Investigating Unit; 8. The Minister of Police, by his own admission, never engaged with the Public Protector, contrary to the judgement delivered by Schippers J; 9. The swimming pool is a recreational facility that could also be used for firefighting and was not primarily a security feature; 10. The visitors’ centre is clearly not a security feature and it was not requested by any of the security experts; 11. The amphitheatre has at best a dual purpose as an observation / sitting space for public gatherings and soil retention; 12. The larger cattle kraal / animal enclosure is far larger than the original one and the President has unduly benefitted from the construction thereof, as it is clearly not a security feature; 13. Prices were inflated, and there were instances of poor workmanship; 14. Some of the work appeared to be incomplete; 15. All those responsible for deviations from the PFMA should be held accountable; 16. None of the amounts spent at Nkandla appeared in the MTEF or departmental budgets, thus they were deliberately hidden from Parliament; 17. All of the buildings and upgrades constructed at Nkandla are directly linked to the fact that the President resides there; 18. After the retirement from office of the President, an obligation to maintain them will remain the responsibility of the State at State expense; 19. The clinic will be for the use of the President and his family and perhaps staff. This is confirmed in the report, and it is clearly not a security feature; 20. It is a great pity that the committee did not get all the relevant facts. By avoiding the Public Protector, the SIU and others the committee is forced to rely solely on the “experts” of the Minister of Police. We do, however, take note of the response of the Public Protector on Monday, 3 August 2015 in which she clarifies a number of salient issues; 21. The reaction of Mr Magubane is at odds with what we saw at Nkandla, in that he is adamant that the electronic security system was both installed and fully functional, while it was dismantled at the time of our visit; 22. Senior Superintendent Linde was also the Chairman of the SAPS Builiding Planning Committee and that he signed correspondence on behalf of the Divisional Commissioner : Supply Chain Management; 23. Neither the Minister of Police nor the Miniser of Public Works referred in their respective reports to any document relating to the apportionment of costs between the President and the State. RECOMMENDATIONS For all the reasons stated above, it is suggested that the Police Minister’s Report be rejected in its entirety. The following political parties are party to this report submitted on 6 August 2015: DEMOCRATIC ALLIANCE INKATHA FREEDOM PARTY AFRICAN CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY FREEDOM FRONT PLUS NATIONAL FREEDOM PARTY AFRICAN INDEPENDENT CONGRESS UNITED DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT AGANG PAN AFRICAN CONGRESS
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06 Aug, 2015
UDM Parliamentary Caucus denounces the Ad-hoc Committee on Nkandla as flawed and against the law
Statement by UDM President Bantu Holomisa After deliberations this morning the Caucus resolved as follows regarding the Nkandla Ad Hoc committee: 1. The new Ad-hoc committee process has not changed the original position of the UDM that the President must not use the Executive and Parliament to undermine the report of the Public Protector, but should in line with legal prescripts; approach the appropriate court for a judicial review. 2. Irrespective of the findings and recommendations of the Ad-hoc committee given the fact that the ANC bulldozed parliament on this matter, the fact does not change that, this matter is not for parliament but between the President and the Public Protector. Anything to the contrary borders on the conflation of the doctrine of the separation of powers, between the legislature, the judiciary and the executive. UDM will always and in the interest of Constitutional Democracy, refuse to break this fundamental principle. 3. We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the independence of Chapter 9 Institutions as they strengthen our democracy. To this end, we support the report of the Public Protector on Nkandla and firmly believe that, only the court of law can review its findings and remedial actions. 4. Consistent with the Executive Members Ethics Act and the Constitution of the Republic, it is the President who can make a legally valid decision not to comply with the remedial actions made by the Public Protector, only if such is based on rationality and cogent reasoning, as the Cape Town High Court determined. 5. This matter must not only be a private property of political parties as it affects all citizens. As a result, we call on all organs of civil society to join the campaign to save this country and its resources for the benefit of the poor. 6. We call on organs of civil society to approach the courts of law to challenge this abuse of power in Parliament by using the institution to protect the President. Thank you
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17 Jul, 2015
President Zuma to look into issues raised by Bantu Holomisa: Moretele Local Municipality
Issued by the Office of the Presidency President Jacob Zuma has assigned the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME) to look into the issues raised by United Democratic Movement leader and Member of Parliament, Gen. Bantu Holomisa on the challenges facing Moretele Local Municipality, in the North West Province. General Holomisa has written to the President raising concerns about service delivery matters such as water and sanitation, roads infrastructure, public works programmes and general management of the municipality. The DPME will liaise with the province and other affected Departments. Enquiries: Harold Maloka – Maloka.harold@gmail.com or Harold@presidency.gov.za
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16 Jul, 2015
UDEMWO is devastated by the recent horrific attack against a 14 year old girl in Grabouw
Statement issued by Thandi Nontenja: UDEMWO Secretary General As the United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation (UDEMWO) we are devastated by the recent attack on the 14 year old girl in Grabouw, Western Cape. We would like to convey our message of support and wish her a speedy recovery from this horrific attack. This young girl has shown bravery after her brutal attack and was able to name the culprit. This incident is taking us back and reminding us of what happened to Anene Boysen who was also brave enough to name her attackers and the justice system failed her and many women of this country by letting one of the attackers walk free because of lack of evidence. We hope this time the hand of justice will do the right thing and be for the victim other than the perpetrator. Such individuals who abuse women and children in any how do not deserve to be part of our communities and that is why we want him to rot in jail for the horrendous act he has committed. We hope that the sentencing will be a lesson to other perpetrators out there. The abuse of women and children is growing everyday in this country and we cannot fold arms and watch, something needs to be done to curb this problem in this country. As UDEMWO, we are calling upon the Department of Social Development to make sure that women and children are protected. End
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15 Jul, 2015
Bantu Holomisa writes to President Zuma re sorry state of Moretele Local Municipality in urgent need of Government’s attention
Dear Honourable President, RE: SORRY STATE OF MORETELE LOCAL MUNICIPALITY IN URGENT NEED OF GOVERNMENT’S ATTENTION The above mentioned matter has reference. A few weeks ago, I was invited to a community meeting by the Concerned Residents of Moretele Local Municipality in North West Province. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss and find solutions to the challenges facing their Municipality. In addition to the meeting, the Community had also planned a march on 26 June 2015 to the Municipal Offices to deliver a Memorandum of Complaints to the Mayor. Both events took place, and were a huge success. However, due to circumstances beyond my control, I could not attend these events. Mrs Thandi Nontenja, our National Treasurer, represented the UDM at these events. After receiving a Report from Mrs Nontenja about her visit to Moretele Local Municipality, I felt obligated to write you this letter in order to bring to your attention the challenges besetting Moretele Local Municipality. Below is a summary of the residents’ complaints. For more details, please consult the attached Memorandum. 1. Poor Leadership and Corruption The residents complained about poor leadership and bad management at the Municipality. They accused the leadership of failing to attend meetings and of failing to fulfil their service delivery promises and mandates. They also alleged that some of the senior leaders of the Municipality are involved in corrupt activities. For details, please see attached Memorandum. 2. Water and Sanitation It was with a great deal of shock to hear that about 56 Moretele villages have no access to clean running water and sanitation. These villagers still use pit toilets and have to walk long distances to fetch water from nearby rivers. It beggars belief that more than 20 years into our democracy there are still people, who live in such conditions. This is a serious violation of our people’s basic human rights, as access to clean water and sanitation are fundamental human rights that are essential for life and human dignity. We call on your Government to urgently look into this matter. In so doing, kindly also look into the millions of Rands that the residents claim were spent on the water reservoirs that were either never used or have never worked. 3. Public Works Programmes and Road Infrastructure The residents complained bitterly about the poor management of the Public Works Programmes in North West. They have apparently made numerous requests to the Provincial PWP leadership to discuss the poor state of their road infrastructure, but all their efforts have come to naught. Their roads infrastructure is so poor to the point where most of their roads are impassable. This, needless to say, disconnects these communities from important economic hubs in the Province. As already indicated above, this is a summary of some of the key issues that were raised by the residents of Moretele during their engagements with Mrs Nontenja. For more details, please see attached Memorandum of Complaints. Feel to contact person Thubakgalo at 072 832 0233 should you require more information. We call on your Office to urgently look into the sorry state of this Municipality. I look forward to hearing from you. Kind regards, Bantu Holomisa, MP UDM President
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14 Jul, 2015
Department of Correctional Service is letting down the nation
The United Democratic Movement (UDM) is concerned about the growing number of prisoners escaping in correctional facilities throughout the country, which sometimes becomes a clear indication that Correctional Service officials might have got a hand in these acts. This has also caused the public to lose hope on state organs due to victims becoming vulnerable and more susceptive to crime, after the culprits have escaped from prison. We are calling upon Minister of Correctional Services Micheal Masutha to come to his senses and deal with this problem. He should immediately come forward and tell the nation he is failing to fulfil his duties and abdicate his position. Prison escape is fast becoming a norm and it is very troubling, as many of these prisoners are behind bars for very serious crimes including and certainly not limited to murder and rape. The Department of Correctional Service must ensure that stringent security measures are put in place and adhered to by all the stakeholders involved. Almost everyday prisoners are escaping from prisons around South Africa and some do not get to be rearrested. Also, the officials placed in their guard, those within authoritative positions, get away with not following up or even conducting proper investigations. It is unfortunate that our government together with departments do not heed communities and often, ordinary citizens and community members are so oppressed in their own living environments, that they resort to violent protests in order to be heard. Criminals mock society’s laws. This has also raised a question on the killing of the South African Police Service officials as we feel that the escapees might be involved. Not long ago a number of prisoners escaped from Groenpunt Maximum Correctional Facility in Vereening. This further confirmed that the Department of Correctional Service is failing to do its job in protecting the community from the perpetrators. Statement issued by Bongani Msomi – UDM Secretary General
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10 Jul, 2015
UDM President Bantu Holomisa requests an investigation by Public Protector into the Department of Transport – Eastern Cape Province
Dear Advocate Madonsela REQUEST FOR AN INVESTIGATION: DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT – EASTERN CAPE PROVINCE – SCHOLAR TRANSPORT. I take this opportunity to table the following matter with you, so that you may please investigate it appropriately for the benefit of the South African public. I have anonymously received the attached information alleging maladministration within the Eastern Cape Department of Transport with regard to the scholar transport. Most importantly is not how it landed on my desk but its contents which we kindly request your office to investigate. The amounts involved here exceeds R15m of public money as well as a list of people whose employment is allegedly not transparent and not according to procedure. I look forward to your excellent investigative work on this matter, and these are the only things I could identify, however, the attached documents will help you to identify relevant offices to be approached for further information which may possibly bring up many more discrepancies that would need to be exposed. Kind regards Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP President of the United Democratic Movement
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07 Jul, 2015
Letter by Bantu Holomisa, MP to President Jacob Zuma: Marikana, UDM proposes a way forward for Marikana Massacre
Dear Honourable President, RE: UDM PROPOSE A WAY FORWARD FOR MARIKANA MASSACRE August 16, 2015 marks the third anniversary of the Marikana massacre. The Marikana massacre stands out as the worst case of police brutality in the post-Apartheid South Africa, where more than 30 miners were massacred by the South African Police for demanding a living wage and an improvement in their working conditions. The Nation and the families of the victims of the massacre eagerly awaited the release of the report of the Marikana Commission Inquiry, hoping against hope that it would once and for all provide answers to lingering questions about what really happened during that fateful day and who was responsible for it. Upon its release, the report fell hopelessly short of expectations. It provides no clear answers and holds no political leader accountable for the tragic incident, which leaves South Africans and the families of the victims none the wiser. In the midst of all this doom and gloom, and notwithstanding the processes that are currently underway to deal with the after effects of the Marikana massacre, there are a few additional options your Office could explore to turn the situation around, and they are: Establishment of a Committee It is our considered view that Government should initiate the establishment of a Committee compromised of all the relevant stakeholders in Marikana to discuss a possible way forward, which should include, but not limited to, compensation to the families of victims. Such a step would go a long way towards addressing the families’ bread and butter issues, as many of them struggle to make ends meet because their bread winners perished in that tragic incident. Annual Marikana Day In order to prevent such barbaric acts from happening again in future, the United Democratic Movement (UDM) proposes that August 16 be commemorated annually as the National Marikana Day. This will also serve as a reminder to both current and future generations that the price of democracy is eternal vigilance against any abuses of power whether by the state or its organs. We will also table this proposal at the first sitting of Parliament in July as a Motion Without Notice in an attempt to get the National Assembly to officially adopt it as its resolution. I Iook forward to hearing from you. Kind regards, Bantu Holomisa, MP UDM President
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22 Jun, 2015
UDEMWO calls for thorough investigation on Saint Barnabas Hospital, Eastern Cape
As the United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation (UDEMWO), we are angered by the ignorance and inhumane treatment by the health workers at Saint Barnabas Hospital in Libode, Eastern Cape. Refusing to pay attention to a sickly person is something else but refusing to render the necessary help for a rape victim is grossly inhumane. Rape issue is a very sensitive matter and the more you do not follow all the necessary precautions is the more the crucial evidence can be missed and for a doctor to refuse to treat a victim is not acceptable at all. It takes a lot of courage for a victim to take the step of seeking assistance and to shun the victim kills the victim and this exacerbates the stigma of the gruesome act. UDEMWO is calling upon the Health MEC in the Eastern Cape to get thorough investigation into the matter and punitive measures should be put in place for those involved. Doctors or any other health workers should remember, they are at hospitals to deal and help patients and if they are unable to help community members in time of need, this means they are in a wrong field and must go elsewhere and do as they please. Statement issued by Thandi Nontenja – UDEMWO Secretary General
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12 Jun, 2015
UDEMWO is pleased by the court’s decision to deny bail against Christopher Panayiotou
The United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation (UDEMWO) is pleased with the way National Prosecuting Authority has so far handled the Christopher Panayiotou and his co-accused case of murdering the innocent Jayde Panayiotou. Panayiotou and the men accused of killing this young woman do not deserve to be back in our communities as they pose a danger not only to the community but to those close to them. They have displayed clearly that they are not human beings with their behaviour. NPA denying bail for these cruel culprits brings hope to women and children in this country. It also sends a strong message to criminals as we are not safe in our own communities because of such inhumane individuals who abuse and murder us. We are living a life of fear in the hands of those we call loved ones. As much as we appreciate this denial of bail against the men but we would like to see the hand of justice being served. As UDEMWO, we would like to see synergy amongst the government departments i.e. South African Police Service, Department of Justice and Correctional Service as these departments play an vital role and they should complement one another in making sure that the rights of women and children are protected. UDEMWO is once again calling upon the Department of Correctional Service to review the parole system as we feel that it is not applied appropriately. It favours the culprits more the victims of crime. Remember, when you violate someone’s rights you should forfeit yours. Statement issued by Thandi Nontenja: UDEMWO Secretary General
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09 Jun, 2015
Police must refrain from using grenades and live ammunition when dispersing members of the public
It is with great sadness that during the Youth Month in South Africa we hear of a sad event of a student that was shot and seriously injured by police. This shows that as a country, we are still far from being free. The act by the South African Police Service officials have once again taken us aback and reminded the nation of the sad times during the apartheid era when students were shot and killed for demanding their right to education. The shooting of an 18 year old student Mawande Ngoyo from Lindelani Senior Secondary School in the Eastern Cape who is in a serious condition in hospital is really saddening and is raising question of whether as South Africans are we free indeed. Everyday we hear about brutal acts of police when dealing with public protests and this is deeply worrying that live ammunition are being used. As the United Democratic Movement, we are against the vandalism of properties when members of the public are not happy with service delivery and other things but the use of live ammunition is not acceptable at all. We therefore are calling upon the Police Minister, Nathi Nhleko, to come up with ways of dispersing and dealing with large gatherings. We would also like to wish a speedy recovery to Mawande. Statement issued by UDM SECRETARY GENERAL – Mr Bongani Msomi
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12 May, 2015
Dr Ruth Mompati Was A True Example Of Imbokodo
Statement issued by Thandi Nontenja: UDEMWO Secretary General The United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation (UDEMWO) is shocked and saddened by the death of the struggle veteran Dr Ruth Mompati. We would like to convey our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Mam’ Ruth. She was a true representation of Imbokodo and as women in South Africa, we are forever grateful. She gave and served the country tirelessly when South Africa was experiencing hardships. Mam Ruth was one of the brave women who took to the streets heading to the Union Building in 1956 marching against the carrying of passes and permits by women. She paved a way for the significant change of women in leadership we see today in the country. She was one of the inspirational women leaders who we all looked up to irrespective of political affiliation one belonged to. May her soul rest in peace. End
