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07 Oct, 2025
Transport Month: Rebuild SA’s rails
Statement by Mandla Peter, United Democratic Movement Member in the National Council of Provinces As we mark Transport Month, the United Democratic Movement (UDM) extends condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the recent tragic crashes on the R81 in Ga-Sekgopo, Limpopo, and on the N2 in Phongolo, northern KwaZulu-Natal. These are not isolated incidents. They reflect a deep and ongoing crisis in South Africa’s transport and logistics system. The high number of accidents involving heavy trucks is a national disgrace. These tragedies are not only caused by reckless drivers, but also by a collapsed freight logistics network weakened by poor governance, corruption, and neglected infrastructure maintenance. Over the past decade, Transnet Freight Rail volumes have fallen by as much as 80% since 2010, due to vandalism, flood damage, safety lapses, and chronic underinvestment. As a result, our roads are overloaded with trucks carrying goods that should be moved by rail. This has destroyed critical infrastructure, constrained productivity, and claimed far too many innocent lives. The UDM has long maintained that greater investment in rail infrastructure is vital to move freight off roads, reduce accidents, and restore economic efficiency. Stricter enforcement of truck regulations, including roadworthiness, driver rest periods, and load management, is also essential and long overdue. We note the recent initiatives by Transport Minister Barbara Creecy to revitalise South Africa’s rail and port systems through private sector participation in five priority corridors. This is a welcome acknowledgment of the crisis, but the pace of implementation remains far too slow. Promises must now produce tangible results such as operational freight trains, reopened corridors, and a visible reduction in the number of heavy trucks on our national roads. In March 2025, the Department of Transport announced that a second Request for Information (RFI) for private sector participation in passenger rail would be issued in May. However, weeks later, during her address at the Rand Merchant Bank Think Summit, Minister Creecy indicated that the RFI would instead be released in June. These repeated delays reflect a troubling pattern of shifting timelines and uncertainty in government planning. To date, there has been no evidence that this RFI has been issued, raising questions about the government’s seriousness in addressing the crisis Promises must translate into tangible outcomes: operational freight trains, reopened corridors, safer roads, and the visible removal of heavy trucks from national highways. The public deserves clear timelines, transparent progress reports, and measurable results. The UDM believes that rebuilding South Africa’s transport system requires: 1. Immediate prioritisation of freight rail rehabilitation, with guaranteed deadlines for corridor reopening and transparent monitoring of progress. 2. Release of the second RFI for private sector participation in passenger rail. 3. Strong public–private collaboration, not as a substitute for state accountability, but to unlock investment, technology, and logistics expertise. 4. Stricter regulation of the trucking sector, including the establishment of a national Truck Safety and Compliance Unit to enforce vehicle standards, rest periods, and load management. 5. A national road safety audit, to identify high-risk corridors, improve infrastructure, and reduce fatalities in line with the United Nations target of halving road deaths by 2030. Transport is the backbone of the economy. When it collapses, jobs, safety, and growth collapse with it. South Africa cannot continue to treat mass road deaths as routine. The time has come to shift freight back to rail, restore safety to our roads, and put accountability at the centre of every kilometre travelled. The UDM remains committed, in Parliament and beyond, to fighting for a transport system that serves the people, protects lives, and drives inclusive economic development.
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07 Oct, 2025
Assault on Kimberley police officer: gender is not the story, lawlessness is
Statement by Zandile Phiri, Acting Secretary General of the United Democratic Movement The United Democratic Movement condemns in the strongest possible terms the recent assault on two police officers who were performing their duties in Kimberley’s central business district. The video of the attack, which has gone viral, is a disturbing reflection of the growing hostility toward law enforcement officers in our communities and the erosion of respect for the rule of law. The gender of the one officer should be immaterial. Whether male or female, no police officer should face physical harm or humiliation for performing their lawful duties. To highlight the gender of the one officer, as if the assault were more shocking because she is a woman, is the wrong logic entirely. It subtly reinforces the false and dangerous notion that women are somehow less capable of enforcing the law or managing conflict in the field. What happened in Kimberley is not about the strength of a woman but about the weakness of public discipline. The real issue is that criminals and ordinary citizens alike now believe they can defy, insult, and attack law enforcement officers without consequence. This is a clear sign that respect for authority and public order has collapsed. Law enforcement officers stand at the frontline of public safety. When they are attacked, it is not only an assault on an individual but on the authority of the state and on the safety of every South African. Communities cannot call for safer streets while simultaneously undermining and brutalising those tasked with maintaining them. At the same time, the South African Police Service (SAPS) must reflect deeply on how it interacts with the public. Many communities have lost confidence in law enforcement because of corruption, brutality, or neglect. SAPS must work intentionally to rebuild trust through fair, respectful, and community-based policing. Restoring public faith in the police will not only protect officers but also strengthen partnerships with residents who are often the first to see or report criminal activity. A police service that listens, serves, and respects citizens will find that respect returned. The UDM calls on SAPS to ensure that the perpetrators face the full force of the law and that consistent national measures are taken to protect officers on duty. Police morale, discipline, and safety are national priorities that require leadership and visible consequences for acts of defiance. We also urge community leaders, civic organisations, and faith-based institutions to play their part in restoring respect between citizens and the police. Building a safer country requires trust, cooperation, and the understanding that the law applies equally to everyone. No uniformed officer should ever fear for their safety while serving their nation. The time has come to restore both order and trust in South Africa’s streets.
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06 Oct, 2025
Time to end the tavern killings and restore public safety
Statement by Zandile Phiri, Acting Secretary General of the United Democratic Movement The United Democratic Movement (UDM) is deeply disturbed by the latest mass shooting at a tavern in Zithobeni, Bronkhorstspruit, where five people were killed and six others injured on Saturday night. According to police reports, armed men stormed the establishment, disarmed a patron, and opened fire indiscriminately as people tried to flee for their lives. Over the past year, South Africa has witnessed a wave of similar tragedies that have turned ordinary social spaces into crime scenes. These include mass shootings in Mokokotlong informal settlement in Orange Farm, Pienaar outside Mbombela, TK's Tavern in Sebokeng in the Vaal, the Bloemfontein CBD, Umlazi township of Durban, and the Choba informal settlement in Tshwane. In each of these incidents, lives were lost in cold blood while families were left to grieve and communities to live in fear. This growing pattern of violence shows a country under siege, where heavily armed criminals act without restraint and the state appears powerless to stop them. Communities have every reason to feel abandoned. The right to safety and security enshrined in the Constitution has become meaningless when gunmen can walk into a tavern, home, or taxi rank and slaughter innocent people without fear of arrest or prosecution. The social fabric of our nation is being torn apart by unchecked criminality, poor policing, and the proliferation of illegal firearms. The UDM believes this is not merely a policing issue but a symptom of deeper systemic failure i.e. the collapse of local intelligence networks, the erosion of visible policing, and the absence of proactive crime prevention in vulnerable communities. South Africa urgently needs a coordinated national audit of firearms in circulation, including a focused review of lost, stolen, and unaccounted-for weapons from police, military, and private security stockpiles. This audit must be supported by forensic tracing of ballistic evidence, tighter control of firearm licensing systems, and an intelligence-driven effort to dismantle illegal gun trafficking networks. The goal is not to count weapons in criminal hands, but to close the loopholes that allow them to get there. The UDM calls for: 1. A national audit of illegal firearms and a comprehensive crackdown on gun smuggling and trafficking networks feeding this violence. 2. Dedicated tavern safety and compliance units within the SAPS to monitor and protect high-risk venues, working with local business and community policing forums. 3. Immediate deployment of intelligence-led operations to disrupt organised criminal networks that use taverns and shebeens as targets or recruitment hubs. 4. A cross-departmental safety strategy led by the Ministers of Police, Small Business Development, and Social Development to strengthen community resilience and ensure responsible management of social spaces. 5. Swift justice for the victims of these massacres through fast-tracked investigations and specialised prosecution teams. As a partner in the Government of National Unity, the UDM will continue to push for urgent and coordinated reforms in policing, intelligence, and firearm control. The safety of South Africans must be treated as a national priority, and every arm of the state must be mobilised to end this cycle of violence once and for all.
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05 Oct, 2025
UDM concludes successful two-day public representatives’ workshop
Statement by Zandile Phiri, Acting Secretary General of the United Democratic Movement and Bulelani Bobotyane, Provincial Secretary of the UDM in the Eastern Cape The United Democratic Movement (UDM) in the Eastern Cape successfully hosted a two-day capacity building workshop and engagement session for public representatives from across South Africa in Mthatha on 4 and 5 October 2025. The workshop brought together UDM public representatives from across the country, serving at national, provincial, and local levels of government, to strengthen their capacity to serve communities with excellence, accountability, and integrity. It was an opportunity to reflect on the responsibilities entrusted to those who hold public office, and to renew the shared commitment to ethical leadership and responsive governance. The programme was made possible through the generous support and partnership of the Education and Training Unit for Democracy and Development (ETU). The UDM extends its sincere gratitude for this valuable collaboration, which enriched the workshop and contributed meaningfully to building the capacity of our public representatives. The sessions were highly informative, engaging, and practical, focusing on good governance, effective representation, and improved service delivery. Participants engaged in robust discussions on coalition management within the Government of National Unity, the separation of powers, fiscal responsibility, and strategies to rebuild public trust in institutions. They also explored ways to deepen community engagement, strengthen oversight at all levels, and ensure that public resources are managed in the best interest of citizens. The UDM and its public representatives emerge from this workshop united and energised in their mission to promote honest, accountable governance and to serve the people effectively. Our leaders are now better equipped to translate the UDM’s vision and values into tangible results for the benefit of our people. As the nation moves toward the 2026 Local Government Elections, the UDM stands ready to play its part in advancing South Africa through principled leadership, transparency, and an unwavering commitment to the service of our people. The workshop reaffirmed the UDM’s conviction that ethical governance, grounded in accountability and compassion, is the cornerstone of meaningful transformation.
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05 Oct, 2025
Post Office mismanagement: a wake-up call for real reform
Statement by Nqabayomzi Kwankwa, MP, UDM Deputy President and Leader in Parliament The United Democratic Movement (UDM) notes with grave concern the Auditor-General’s latest findings exposing widespread financial mismanagement at the South African Post Office (SAPO). The report paints a disturbing picture of an institution crippled by irregular expenditure, poor governance, and an almost total breakdown of accountability. This confirms what the UDM has been warning for years, which is that the collapse of SAPO is not the result of underfunding, but of deep-seated mismanagement and lack of strategic direction. The figures laid bare by the Auditor-General reveal an institution that continues to haemorrhage public funds while failing to deliver even the most basic of services to South Africans. The Post Office remains insolvent, unmodernised, and incapable of performing its core mandate. Worse still, the same management failures that bankrupted SAPO are now being rewarded with additional bailouts, while thousands of workers have been retrenched or left unpaid. Treasury confirmed that SAPO will not receive any new financial rescue packages beyond the R381 million allocated through the Unemployment Insurance Fund’s (UIF) Temporary Employee Relief Scheme. The UDM has repeatedly cautioned that using the UIF to bail out failing state entities is a dangerous precedent that places workers’ hard-earned contributions at risk. The UDM reiterates the position we took as early as 2023 and 2024: that the Post Office’s crisis cannot be solved through bailouts and business rescue plans that merely reshuffle management and cut jobs. Instead, SAPO must redefine its role as a modern public utility that meets the needs of the people it serves. The UDM again calls for: 1. SAPO to diversify its services by expanding into insurance, microfinance and other community-based financial services that cater to rural and low-income customers. 2. A strong focus on digital transformation by embracing e-commerce logistics, secure digital postal services and providing public internet access to ensure competitiveness in the 21st century. 3. Greater accountability and oversight, with the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies ensuring that bailout funds are used transparently and that management failures result in real consequences rather than rewards. 4. The protection of workers, as retrenchments cannot be viewed as a genuine reform strategy. Government must instead explore alternatives such as redeployment and retraining through institutions like Productivity South Africa. Like Alexkor, Denel, Eskom, Transnet, Land Bank, Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa, South African Airways, South African Broadcasting Corporation, SAPO has become a symbol of failed oversight, where billions in taxpayer funds are poured into institutions that cannot deliver sustainable or efficient public service SAPO was once a cornerstone of community life; a bridge between people and government. Today, it has become a symbol of failure. The Auditor-General’s report must serve as a wake-up call that the time for patchwork solutions has long passed.
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05 Oct, 2025
World Teachers Day: UDM salutes South Africa’s teachers
Statement by Zandile Phiri, Acting Secretary General of the United Democratic Movement As the world marks World Teachers’ Day, the United Democratic Movement (UDM) pays heartfelt tribute to the men and women who dedicate their lives to the noble task of educating our nation. Teachers are not only transmitters of knowledge; they are the architects of our collective future. In every classroom, whether in a rural village, township or city, teachers shape South Africa’s destiny by nurturing the minds that will build tomorrow’s economy, democracy and leadership. They are mentors, counsellors and protectors who work under increasingly difficult conditions, yet continue to give of themselves with patience and purpose. Today, we must also confront the hard truth that many of our teachers operate in overcrowded classrooms, without adequate support or resources, and face safety and morale challenges that no professional should endure. It is unacceptable that educators are expected to inspire hope while they themselves feel neglected and undervalued. The UDM believes that education remains the single most powerful equaliser in our society, and that investing in teachers is investing in the nation’s stability and growth. We therefore call for the urgent improvement of working conditions and remuneration for educators, particularly in rural and under-resourced schools. We further call for the reintroduction of teacher training and mentorship programmes to restore the professionalism and discipline that once defined the teaching vocation. Stronger partnerships between schools, communities and government are essential to ensure that every learner studies in an environment that is safe, supportive and conducive to growth. Happy World Teachers’ Day.
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04 Oct, 2025
Reform parole, protect victims: UDEMWO’s call for action
Media Statement by Thandi Nontenja, MP and UDEMWO Secretary General The United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation (UDEMWO) has consistently raised the alarm about South Africa’s broken parole system. Time and again, we have argued that the safety of women, children, and communities cannot be compromised by releasing offenders who remain a clear danger to society. Recent figures provided in Parliament are nothing short of devastating. In just three years, 18 052 parolees reoffended including 493 murders and 624 rapes. The most common crimes committed while on parole were theft and housebreaking, compounding the daily fear ordinary families already live with. Between 2022 and 2025, a staggering 46 627 inmates were released on parole, yet parole violations reached over 28 000 in five years, mostly due to reoffending. These are not just numbers, they represent destroyed lives, families left in pain, and communities stripped of their sense of safety. We note that Correctional Services Minister Pieter Groenewald convened the National Parole Review Summit in September 2025, where he committed to reforms that place public safety and victim justice at the centre of parole decisions. He acknowledged the shocking reality that parole must never be used as a tool simply to ease overcrowding in prisons, and that only those genuinely rehabilitated and posing no risk to the public should be considered. UDEMWO welcomes this shift in tone, but we stress that words and summits are not enough. What is needed is decisive, transparent reform that prioritises: 1. The Department of Correctional Services and parole boards must ensure that the voices and safety of victims and their families weigh heavily in all parole decisions. 2. Parliament and the Ministry of Justice must hold parole boards accountable when offenders they release commit violent crimes. 3. Offenders must demonstrate readiness for parole through meaningful participation in skills training, education, and reintegration programmes under the supervision of the Department of Correctional Services. 4. The Department of Correctional Services must publish regular reports on parole approvals, reoffending, and violations, and these reports must be tabled before Parliament for public scrutiny. The South African public is tired of empty promises. Every rape, every murder committed by someone released too soon, is a failure of the system and an insult to victims. UDEMWO will continue to speak out until a parole system exists that truly protects the living while respecting the memory of those we have lost. Communities must also take responsibility by reporting such crimes, rather than concealing them due to stigma, fear, or misplaced loyalty.
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04 Oct, 2025
Cape Town cannot hide behind spin while billions go missing
Statement by Bongani Maqungwana, UDM Councillor in the City of Cape Town The United Democratic Movement (UDM) in the City of Cape Town notes with grave concern the large-scale police raids conducted across Cape Town this week in connection with alleged fraud and corruption involving R1.6 billion worth of municipal contracts. Reports indicate that 26 properties, including the private residences of municipal officials and businesses linked to tenders, were searched with documents and electronic devices seized as part of the ongoing investigation by the South African Police Services (SAPS). While we recognise the importance of law enforcement acting on credible whistle-blower information, it is deeply troubling that once again the City of Cape Town finds itself at the centre of allegations of corruption, maladministration and questionable procurement practices. These scandals come at the direct expense of ordinary residents who rely on municipal services and who expect that every rand of public money is spent on service delivery, not siphoned off through shady contracts. The UDM is particularly concerned that the spectre of “tenders for cash” has become a recurring theme in Cape Town’s governance. Allegations of links to underworld figures and repeat instances of unlawful contracting erode public confidence and reinforce the perception that corruption is entrenched rather than being rooted out. We caution against premature self-congratulation by the City for “cooperating” with SAPS. True accountability does not come from spin but from transparent investigations, full disclosure and holding individuals, no matter how senior, personally liable if they are found complicit. The UDM therefore calls for: • The immediate suspension of any officials under suspicion to prevent interference with evidence. • Law enforcement to ensure prosecutions follow swiftly so that whistle-blowers and the public see justice done. Cape Town’s residents deserve a municipality that prioritises clean governance and service delivery, not one mired in allegations of corruption worth billions. The UDM will continue to monitor these developments closely, engage relevant oversight bodies and demand accountability at every level.
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03 Oct, 2025
Set humanitarian activists free; let aid reach Gaza
Statement by Nqabayomzi Kwankwa, MP, UDM Deputy President and Leader in Parliament The United Democratic Movement (UDM) joins the global outcry over the abduction of the Global Sumud Flotilla activists, including South Africans who were on a humanitarian mission to deliver aid and solidarity to the people of Gaza. We demand their immediate and unconditional release. These South Africans, alongside others from around the world, embarked on a mission of compassion. Their detention is not only a violation of their rights, but also an attack on the principle of humanitarian action itself. No one should be punished for carrying food, medicine, and hope to people in desperate need. The International Court of Justice ordered Israel to halt military operations in Rafah, to allow unimpeded humanitarian access, to prevent acts that could constitute genocide, and to preserve evidence of violations. Israel’s failure to comply with these binding measures defies international law, undermines the authority of the world’s highest court, and pushes the prospects of peace even further out of reach. The UDM has consistently called for peace in the Middle East. But peace cannot exist while humanitarian aid is blocked, and human rights are trampled underfoot. South Africa, given our own history of apartheid and liberation, has a moral responsibility to stand with the oppressed and to advocate for peaceful resolution. Our position is clear: the killing of civilians, the destruction of communities, and the obstruction of humanitarian aid are indefensible. The UDM reiterates its view that the long-term solution to this conflict lies not in violence or exclusion, but in inclusive dialogue and a just peace that upholds the rights and dignity of both Palestinians and Israelis. We reaffirm our support for Palestinian statehood and peaceful coexistence in the region. The abduction of humanitarian activists must be a wake-up call to the international community: inaction emboldens lawlessness.
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01 Oct, 2025
Respect the dead, protect the living: UDM on Gauteng cemeteries
Statement by Andile Jabavu, Gauteng Provincial Secretary of the United Democratic Movement The United Democratic Movement (UDM) in Gauteng notes with deep concern the worsening pattern of neglect, vandalism, illegal dumping, informal settlements and more tarnishing cemeteries across the province which are sites of dignity, memory and community — not just plots of land. Despite repeated outcries from communities who have voiced their anger and frustration over these issues, the matter has only worsened. From Bredell Cemetery (Kempton Park), Kromvlei and Alberton Cemeteries (City of Ekurhuleni) to Pretoria East Cemetery and Zenzele Cemetery in the West Rand, multiple reports in Gauteng have highlighted growing incidents of uncontrolled waste dumping, safety risks and concerns such as damaged infrastructure and overgrown vegetation as well as people establishing unlawful occupation within burial grounds. It is deeply concerning that families arrive to find their loved ones’ graves desecrated, memorials stolen, tombstones broken or burial grounds overtaken by litter and informal settlements further eroding these cemeteries. Meant to offer dignity in death and solace to the living, burial grounds are being reduced to habitats of decay and disregard. What is most disheartening is that these same grievances have been emphasised from one community to the next. In particular, the absence of visible law enforcement or municipal maintenance, overgrown grass, broken fences and even shacks erected over graves have turned cemeteries into unsafe and unhealthy spaces. The erection of informal dwellings on burial sites is not only disrespectful but also poses serious health risks and reflects shocking failures in town planning and land use management. As symbols of respect, tradition, community and history, this is a matter that is affecting different communities and religious backgrounds. Communities should no longer be left to fend for themselves in these concerning circumstances with little to no meaningful intervention from local authorities. Protection, restoration and proper management of cemeteries needs to be prioritised quickly and urgently which includes dedicated funding for infrastructure, security personnel and ongoing maintenance while enforcing existing municipal bylaws. What should be places of remembrance and peace should remain so to give communities and families a place of reflection, dignity and connection to their loved ones and heritage.
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01 Oct, 2025
UDM responds to Ngizwe Mchunu’s anti-LGBTQIA+ rant
Statement by Zandile Phiri, Acting Secretary General of the United Democratic Movement The United Democratic Movement (UDM) is outraged and disturbed by the appalling remarks made by Ngizwe Mchunu on his TikTok platform, Ngizwe Mchunu Online, where he launched into a hate-filled tirade targeting the LGBTQIA+ community. This was not a moment of ignorance, it was a deliberate, calculated expression of discrimination and what appears to be no less than incitement. Mr Mchunu even declared his intention to use his platform to promote prejudice, a statement as chilling as it is dangerous. These remarks come at a time when South Africa and the global community are marking Pride Month; a period dedicated to celebrating inclusion, dignity, and equality for LGBTQIA+ people. Instead of advancing unity, Mchunu’s words attempt to drag us backwards into division and hate. We must say this clearly: These remarks amount to prima facie hate speech. They appear to constitute incitement and an abuse of influence. For too long, Ngizwe Mchunu has acted with impunity, a man who believes his charisma can shield him from consequences. But what he is doing now is not entertainment. It is not culture. It is not “just an opinion.” It is a threat to lives. South Africa is gripped by a crisis of violence. Every day, LGBTQIA+ people, women, and children live with the fear of being attacked simply for existing. Every day, we bury people whose only crime was living authentically and openly. Mr Mchunu’s bigotry adds fuel to this fire. It emboldens those who already believe that difference is something to be punished. The Constitution of our beloved country guarantees dignity, equality, and freedom for all. We will not allow hate to masquerade as free speech. We will not allow platforms to become pulpits of intolerance. The UDM calls on: • The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) to investigate Mr. Mchunu’s statements with the seriousness they demand. • Law enforcement agencies to determine whether this incitement qualifies as a prosecutable offence under our hate speech and anti-discrimination laws. • Online platforms and broadcasters to enforce community standards and take action against accounts that spread hate, violence, or discrimination. We also call on all South Africans, artists, leaders, traditional leaders, influencers, everyday citizens to stand up. Silence is complicity. Neutrality in the face of hate is siding with the oppressor. To the LGBTQIA+ community: You are seen. You are valued. You belong. Your existence is not up for debate. Your right to live free from fear is non-negotiable. And we, the United Democratic Movement, stand beside you without hesitation or condition. This Pride Month, in South Africa and across the world, we recommit ourselves to building societies where diversity is celebrated, dignity is defended, and hate has no home. Ngizwe Mchunu’s voice may be loud, but it is hollow. It echoes a past we refuse to return to. South Africa’s future is one of inclusion, of justice, of unity in diversity. The UDM will defend that future with every tool at our disposal.
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01 Oct, 2025
The R26 billion question: where is the uMkhomazi water?
Statement by Thandi Nontenja, MP, UDM Member of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts LISTEN: Ms Nontenja on the subject of the uMkhomazi projects The United Democratic Movement (UDM) is gravely concerned about the continuing delays and disputes in the Upper and Lower uMkhomazi Water Projects, which have left communities without water despite billions of rands being committed. The Upper and Lower uMkhomazi Water Projects were meant to secure supply for both inland and coastal communities. The Upper scheme, centred on the Smithfield Dam and transfer tunnel, was designed to boost the uMngeni system and bring long-awaited relief to Durban and surrounding areas. The Lower scheme, with its storage dam and treatment works, was intended to serve southern eThekwini and the Ugu District, benefiting an estimated 50,000 households in towns like Amanzimtoti, Umkomaas, Scottburgh and Hibberdene. The Upper uMkhomazi scheme was originally projected to be completed in 2018. Instead, it has been dogged by funding shortfalls, procurement disputes and legal wrangles. Its completion date has now been pushed to 2032. This means that communities such as Tafelkop, west of Durban, have lived with dry taps for over 15 years and will wait another generation for what their constitutional right is. The UDM is disturbed that public money continues to flow, but public benefit does not. Government admitted as far back as 2015 that affordability concerns had stalled the project. In 2025, a R7 billion tender for the Lower uMkhomazi scheme was interdicted in court over disputes about the adjudication process. These are not small technical glitches — they are signs of systemic weaknesses in financial governance and procurement. The promises made to resuscitate and fast-track the project, including those by Senzo Mchunu during his tenure as Minister of Water and Sanitation, have not been honoured. Now the urgent question is what the incumbent Minister, Pemmy Majodina, and Deputy President Paul Mashatile, who oversees infrastructure coordination in the Government of National Unity, are doing to prevent billions more from being wasted while people still fetch water from streams. It is unacceptable that a R26 billion investment can be committed to schemes that deliver ribbon cuttings, contracts and disputes, but not water. The UDM therefore demands: 1. A full Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) inquiry into the expenditure on the uMkhomazi projects to date, with disclosure of every contract and payment. The UDM will formally write to SCOPA to request that such an inquiry be initiated as a matter of urgency. 2. A halt to further waste until there is assurance that the money is translating into water for households. 3. Quarterly reporting to the Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation on progress, costs and delays. 4. Accountability from both current leaders and former ministers who presided over these failures, including appearances before Parliament and referrals to law enforcement where misconduct is proven. 5. Transparency and expedited resolution of procurement disputes that have landed in court, so that communities are not held hostage to years of litigation, with interim measures put in place to ensure access to water in the meantime. The UDM is serious about infrastructure development as the backbone of service delivery and economic growth. We have long argued for investment in dams and water storage schemes to secure supply for households, agriculture and industry. Projects like the uMkhomazi Water Scheme are urgently needed and should be welcomed, but they must be delivered on time, on budget and free of corruption. South Africans cannot drink blueprints and promises - they need functioning infrastructure that works Water is life, and public money is sacred. It is SCOPA’s duty to ensure that every rand spent on infrastructure, including water, translates into services that work, not empty promises and endless delays.
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30 Sep, 2025
Bantu Holomisa on the passing of Ambassador Nathi Mthethwa
Statement by President of the United Democratic Movement, Deputy Minister Bantu Holomisa, MP I am deeply saddened by the passing of His Excellency, Ambassador Nathi Mthethwa, and I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues. Ambassador Mthethwa served our nation with distinction, demonstrating unwavering dedication to advancing South Africa’s diplomatic and strategic interests. His professionalism, wisdom, and commitment earned him the respect and admiration of colleagues and international partners alike. During my recent visit to the French Republic for the IHEDN Forum on the African Continent (FICA) and related bilateral defence engagements in June 2025, Ambassador Mthethwa, through the Embassy, provided vital logistical support, mobility arrangements, and a comprehensive briefing to our delegation prior to departure. His guidance and insights were invaluable in ensuring that our engagements were well-prepared, strategically aligned, and impactful in representing South Africa’s interests. The meticulous support he provided, including coordinating transportation, scheduling, and access to key stakeholders, significantly contributed to the success of our working visit to France, making the trip smooth, effective, and productive. One thing Ambassador Mthethwa always never forgot to mention whenever we were in the same room, to audiences who cared to listen, is that he received his early military training under the supervision of the Transkei Defence Force officers, where he completed a special military training course in Port St. Johns for ANC liberation movement operatives during the struggle. That formative period helped shape his disciplined approach to service and his deep understanding of strategic defence matters. This early experience informed the wisdom, perspective, and professionalism he later brought to his distinguished diplomatic career. The United Democratic Movement mourns the loss of a devoted public servant and a true patriot. Ambassador Mthethwa’s contributions to strengthening South Africa’s bilateral relations and advancing defence diplomacy will leave a lasting legacy. I extend my prayers and deepest sympathies to his family, loved ones, and colleagues. South Africa has lost a remarkable diplomat and a servant of the people. May his soul rest in eternal peace.
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30 Sep, 2025
Bafana Bafana betrayed by the boardroom
Statement by Nqabayomzi Kwankwa, MP, UDM Deputy President and Leader in Parliament The United Democratic Movement (UDM) notes with concern the admission by the South African Football Association (SAFA) of the administrative blunder that has led to Bafana Bafana losing valuable World Cup qualifying points and being fined by Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). While SAFA has taken responsibility and apologised, this is not enough. An apology does not repair the damage done to the team’s qualification campaign, nor does it address the deeper governance weaknesses that allowed such an avoidable error to occur in the first place. Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie has himself described this incident as an embarrassment and has promised a probe. The UDM supports this call. However, it must not end with another report gathering dust. We need genuine reform that ensures accountability at leadership level and the strengthening of administrative and compliance systems within SAFA. Football is the passion of millions of South Africans. The players on the field have given their all to carry the hopes of a nation. They should never have to see their efforts undermined by failures in administration. The UDM therefore calls for urgent reforms at SAFA, accountability measures for those responsible, and stronger oversight mechanisms to safeguard the integrity of our sporting institutions. South African football deserves leadership that is competent, transparent and worthy of the people’s trust.
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30 Sep, 2025
The R2 billion warning: reform procurement or repeat Tembisa everywhere
Statement by Thandi Nontenja, MP, UDM Member of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts The United Democratic Movement (UDM) has note with alarm the interim report of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) into the looting of Tembisa Hospital. The SIU has confirmed what many South Africans feared: more than R2 billion was siphoned away through coordinated syndicates that exploited procurement loopholes. The report reveals that 2 207 procurement bundles, 4 501 purchase orders and 207 service providers are under scrutiny. Three criminal networks alone are linked to nearly R1.7 billion. At least 15 officials have been implicated, while R122 million in corrupt payments have been traced to insiders. Services were invoiced and paid for but never delivered. Even losing bidders were paid. The sophistication of these schemes, including fake supply chain documents, front companies and manipulation of three quote rules, proves that this was not opportunism but organised criminality within the state. The assassination of whistle-blower Babita Deokaran is a tragic reminder of how dangerous it has become to expose corruption in our country. Her murder was not in vain; the SIU findings vindicate her warnings. But South Africans cannot be expected to rely on martyrs to defend public money. The UDM is clear: Tembisa is not an outlier. It is a mirror of how corruption has hollowed out our state. The same patterns can be seen in housing projects, water schemes, municipal contracts, state owned enterprises and schools. This case must be treated as a wakeup call for comprehensive reform across all sectors, not only in health. We therefore call for: 1. Swift prosecution of all implicated individuals with clear timelines for referrals from the SIU to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), and public updates on progress in the courts. 2. End to end digital procurement across government with full transparency and audit trails. 3. Whistle-blower protection as a matter of urgency, with the state ensuring that the next Babita is not left vulnerable. 4. A specialised anti-corruption task team combining the SIU, NPA, Auditor General and SAPS commercial crimes units, with quarterly public reporting. 5. Swift recovery of assets so that mansions, cars and bank accounts bought with stolen funds are seized and redirected to service delivery. 6. Political accountability so that senior officials and politicians who presided over these failures must answer, not hide behind process. South Africa cannot afford another decade of commissions and reports gathering dust while syndicates loot unchecked. Every stolen rand is a bed without linen, a clinic without medicine and a community without water. The Tembisa heist is not only about one hospital. It is the clearest example yet of a state where corruption has become a parallel system of government. Unless procurement is reformed from top to bottom, we will see Tembisa repeated in every department and municipality. The UDM stands ready to fight for reforms that restore dignity to our public finances, protect whistle-blowers, and return stolen resources to the people they were meant to serve.
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28 Sep, 2025
Restore our teachers’ dignity: support them, pay them, protect them
Statement by Zandile Phiri, Acting Secretary General of the United Democratic Movement The United Democratic Movement (UDM) is deeply alarmed by the growing crisis in South Africa’s education system, as mounting evidence shows that thousands of teachers are either leaving the profession or contemplating resignation. Reports this year confirm that nearly half of South Africa’s teachers want to quit, citing unbearable stress, excessive administrative duties, intimidation by learners and parents, poor pay, and lack of meaningful support. Teaching is one of the most critical professions in South Africa’s economy. Yet teachers are being demoralised, overburdened, and driven from classrooms at the very moment our country most needs stability and quality in education. This is not only an education crisis but a national crisis, directly affecting the learning outcomes of millions of children. The UDM’s position is clear: we must restore dignity, respect, and proper support to the teaching profession. We therefore call for: • Reducing administrative burdens by investing in support staff and digital systems so teachers can teach rather than drown in paperwork. • Strengthening teacher well-being through counselling services, professional development, and programmes to address burnout. • Improving safety and discipline in schools by addressing disruptive and violent behaviour from learners and parents. • Fair and competitive remuneration that recognises the value of teachers and secures their role as central to national development. • Investment in infrastructure and resources so that classrooms are fit for learning. The UDM also believes reforms to teacher training must be urgent and far-reaching. Closing teachers’ colleges was a case of throwing the baby out with the bathwater. The UDM has long argued for their reopening, with reformed curricula to meet modern needs. In addition, we call for: • Proper orientation and induction for new teachers so that they are supported rather than burned out in their first years. • Stronger inclusion of early childhood development (ECD) practitioners in teacher training to build the pipeline from the earliest stages of learning. • Comprehensive language training to help teachers manage the difficult transition from mother tongue instruction to English in early grades. • Modern, evidence-based pedagogical tools and continuous professional development to ensure teachers remain prepared for the classrooms of the future. • Compulsory training and awareness on professional ethics and abuse prevention, to ensure that the rare but devastating cases of sexual misconduct by teachers are never repeated and that the integrity of the profession is protected. This crisis is further compounded by reports of job losses in early 2025 due to budget cuts in provincial education departments. No teacher should be jobless because of government failures. Teachers deserve a living wage, stability, and job security, not retrenchment notices. It is unacceptable that those tasked with shaping the nation’s future are the first to face the axe when budgets are squeezed. The root cause is plain: wasteful spending and corruption are bleeding provincial budgets dry. Funds meant to pay teachers and fix schools are stolen by inflated contracts, ghost workers, luxury perks for officials, and failed projects. Every rand looted is a teacher not paid, a school left to crumble, or a child robbed of education. Until this rot is confronted head-on, it is our teachers and learners who will keep paying the price for provincial government’s failures. We call on Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube and the Government of National Unity to act with urgency, and for basic education reform to be placed firmly on the National Dialogue agenda as a collective national priority The UDM believes that teachers are central to the success of our basic education system. Without them, the future of our children and of our nation itself is at risk.
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26 Sep, 2025
Children must be protected, not burned: UDMYV on murder of 12-year-old Centane boy
Statement by Zintombi Sododile, Chairperson of United Democratic Movement Youth Vanguard in the Eastern Cape The United Democratic Movement Youth Vanguard (UDM Youth Vanguard) in the Eastern Cape is horrified by the recent gruesome death of a 12-year-old boy who was allegedly beaten and set alight by three suspects, aged between 30 and 41. The incident occurred at Nkondwane Location in Centane in the Eastern Cape. The suspects were reportedly arrested and have already appeared in the Centane Magistrate’s Court where they were remanded in custody. It is alleged that the 12-year-old boy was not the only victim of this horrendous crime, as another boy was also assaulted. According to police reports, the children were playing football when a male came and grabbed the boy, slapped and kicked him, and accused him of stealing money. The boys were then forcefully taken to a homestead where they were assaulted and set alight. One of the boys managed to extinguish the flames and escaped, but the other was unable to escape. He was rushed to Butterworth Hospital and later to Frere Hospital where he sadly succumbed to his injuries. This horror cannot be normalised. While the frustration of communities who live under constant crime is real and understood, taking the law into our own hands cannot and must not be condoned. No amount of anger or desperation can justify the murder of a child. The UDM Youth Vanguard in the Eastern Cape demands that the suspects who took the life of this innocent boy should be imprisoned for life and never see the light of day again. They are a danger to society and must be treated as such. We call on the National Prosecuting Authority to build a watertight case to ensure that justice is not delayed and that no technicality allows these men to escape accountability. The UDMYV also calls for urgent psychosocial and material support to be provided to the grieving family of the deceased and to the surviving child and his family. No parent should have to endure such a devastating loss, and no child should have to carry the trauma of such violence without care and support. We further call on communities to work to ensure the safety of children and to report any kind of abuse or violence to the police rather than resorting to vigilante justice. The UDM Youth Vanguard in the Eastern Cape believes that this tragedy must galvanise all of us to confront violence and crime with unity and lawful action. Our message is clear: children must never again be left unprotected against such cruelty. It is in this context that we must remind ourselves that South Africa has strong legal protections for children, yet violent crimes against them remain shockingly high. Section 28 of the Constitution explicitly safeguards the rights of every child to be protected from maltreatment, neglect, abuse, and degradation. These rights cannot remain words on paper while children continue to be brutalised in our communities. We are further disturbed by other recent reports of children being burned, beaten, and killed in South Africa, incidents widely covered by the media and condemned by child rights activists. Police dockets and advocacy groups like the Khula Community Development Project have repeatedly highlighted the scale of this scourge. This appalling pattern deepens the urgency for action, as no society that tolerates such cruelty can claim to value its future.
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26 Sep, 2025
UDM at 28: honouring the past, acting today, shaping tomorrow
Statement by Nqabayomzi Kwankwa, MP, UDM Deputy President and Leader in Parliament As the UDM marks another year in its journey, we pause to reflect, not with pride alone but with renewed purpose. From its birth in on 27 September 1997, this Movement has never sought glory. It has always sought impact, to stand between power and the people, to guard against complacency, and to speak truth to authority. Our record tells its own story. We have defended the rights of South Africans against loadshedding, where the courts ruled in favour of our challenge, compelling government to shield schools, hospitals, and police stations from blackouts. We have championed accountability in Parliament and beyond, from helping abolish the immoral floor-crossing legislation to exposing corruption at the Public Investment Corporation, IEC, NSFAS, and within Cabinet itself. We have protected democracy and transparency through our fight for fair party funding, electoral reform, and clean governance, work that has shaped laws and strengthened institutions. And we have stood with the vulnerable and voiceless, whether by rallying behind rural sub-headmen, advocating for SATBVC pensioners, or demanding the eradication of pit latrines in our schools. In the 2024 elections, the UDM demonstrated measurable growth and renewed public trust. Nationally, we expanded our parliamentary representation to four Members of Parliament, and in the Eastern Cape Legislature we secured three seats. These gains are a clear sign that our message of integrity, service, and accountability resonates with the people of South Africa. Since joining the Government of National Unity in 2024, the UDM has assumed a special responsibility. Not merely to govern but to scrutinise, to hold every decision, every policy, and every expenditure to the light. That has always been our defining role: not power for its own sake but oversight in the public interest. As Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans within that framework, UDM President Bantu Holomisa’s tireless diligence has revealed systemic challenges such as legacy lapses, budget distortions, and capacity gaps. His work has compelled deeper accountability in areas where many had ceased to ask hard questions. Through this role he has ensured that even those serving in government would not escape public scrutiny. Looking ahead to the Local Government Elections of 2026, the UDM is actively preparing to build on its track record of principled leadership. We are strengthening our structures on the ground, growing our membership base, and empowering the next generation through the UDM Youth Vanguard and United Democratic Students’ Movement. Far from resting on the shoulders of one leader, the UDM is building collective leadership and preparing its public representatives to serve with accountability and integrity. Our focus is on issues that matter most to the people, including reliable access to water, proper housing, safe schools, dignified healthcare, and responsive municipalities. These priorities will shape our manifesto and guide our contribution to local government renewal. As we celebrate, we recommit ourselves to the children still forced to learn in unsafe schools, to the pensioners whose years of service were forgotten, and to the communities left without reliable access to water, dignified housing, proper sanitation, or dependable electricity. We recommit to exposing corruption, resisting abuse, demanding consequences, and never allowing power to rest while service delivery continues to fail our people. We stand with the vulnerable and voiceless, confronting gender-based violence, rural neglect, and the scourge of maladministration that robs our nation of dignity. Happy Birthday, UDM. Twenty-eight years later, our purpose is unchanged. We guard, we challenge, we serve. The road ahead is long, but our resolve remains rock steady.
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24 Sep, 2025
Heritage Day 2025: celebrate, protect and pass on our heritage
Statement by Zandile Phiri, Acting Secretary General of the United Democratic Movement In commemoration of this year’s Heritage Day, the United Democratic Movement (UDM) would like to remind South Africans about the importance of our diverse cultures and uniqueness. As we celebrate Heritage Month, we must consider that there are some setbacks surrounding our heritage. For instance, when looking back at the past 31 years, what is sad is that people have been assimilated to tourists of their own heritage. Our identity is no longer an anchor of our daily lives; it is something we now visit occasionally. Western cultures and tendencies have now formed habits which create new identities and heritages. It is these new heritages that the current generations will bequeath to forthcoming generations, and old ones will be extinct if we do not do something about it. We must invest in the preservation of South African history and heritage. Our government and other related sectors and stakeholders should invest more funding in creative productions that teach South Africans about their history and heritage; cultural storytelling through film, theatre and documentaries to make our past accessible, engaging and inspiring. We acknowledge and congratulate the producers who have been filming and delivering an exceptional portrayal of South African stories and its rich history. Indeed, nations are made up of a collection of stories and legends. These stories shape the way we think about our country and our standing within it. And for our children to know exactly where they are going, they first need to understand where they come from. That is an important symbol of heritage. Our identity cannot be bound solely by sporting triumphs, such as the excitement surrounding the Springboks’ victories. True nationhood is built on a shared understanding of history, culture and heritage. That is the framework through which we understand our collective purpose and navigate our shared destiny, and it must be actively nurtured for generations yet to come. On this Heritage Day, the UDM calls on all South Africans to celebrate not only the diversity of our cultures but also to commit to their preservation. Let us pass on traditions, languages and stories with pride, so that future generations inherit a South Africa that honours its past while building a united and inclusive future.
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24 Sep, 2025
UDESMO calls for justice and protection for learners across South Africa!
Statement by Lucia Matomane, UDESMO Eastern Cape Provincial Chairperson The United Democratic Students’ Movement (UDESMO) is horrified by the continuing violation of children in schools by those who are meant to protect them. The recent flood of cases, from St John’s College in Mthatha (Eastern Cape), to Tiyelelani Secondary in Soshanguve (Gauteng), from St Bernard High in Bloemfontein (Free State), to Thubalethu Secondary in Pinetown (KwaZulu-Natal), and Sunward Park High in Boksburg (Gauteng), shows that what should be a place of learning has become a hunting ground for predators hiding behind the title of “teacher.” We cannot pretend these are isolated incidents. Girls as young as 12 and 14 are being preyed upon. They are being impregnated, forced into abortions, infected with diseases, and threatened into silence. These crimes are ripping futures away from young people before their lives have even begun. The pain and anger of learners are boiling over. When pupils are forced to protest and shut down schools just to be heard, it shows the system has failed them. The silence of adults who should act faster is part of the problem. But there are signs that justice can prevail. In one case, a teacher who impregnated a learner, infected her with HIV, and then tried to escape responsibility was struck off the roll and ordered by a court to pay maintenance. That is what it looks like when the law works — but it should never take this long, and it should never be the exception. UDESMO demands more than words of sympathy. We demand: • No bail for accused teachers; our children’s lives matter more than the freedom of predators. • Swift prosecutions and maximum sentences for offenders. • Educators found guilty of sexual offences against learners must be struck off the roll and permanently listed the National Child Protection Register. • Real support for survivors in the form of counselling, protection, and dignity. We say enough is enough. Our schools must be safe. Our teachers must be trustworthy. And our generation refuses to accept a future where classrooms are places of fear.
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25 Sep, 2025
UDMYV demands justice at JS Skenjana Senior Secondary School
Statement by Zintombi Sododile, Chairperson of United Democratic Movement Youth Vanguard in the Eastern Cape The United Democratic Movement Youth Vanguard (UDM Youth Vanguard) in the Eastern Cape is appalled by the allegations of sexual harassment and drug abuse at JS Skenjana Senior Secondary School in Dutywa. We stand in solidarity with the victims and condemn these acts in the strongest possible terms. A former learner from JS Skenjana Senior Secondary School recently took to social media to expose teachers who, despite serious allegations of sexual abuse, remain employed at the school. She stated that these allegations have been public knowledge for years, yet no decisive action has been taken. The UDM Youth Vanguard in the Eastern Cape finds this deeply disturbing and demands that the Department of Education act without delay to address these matters. We call on all learners who have experienced or witnessed any form of abuse to come forward and report these cases to law enforcement, especially if they fear intimidation. We assure all learners of our unwavering support and will stand with you throughout the process. We note that, tragically, one of the teachers implicated in these allegations, reportedly, suffered a heart attack upon discovering he was trending on social media for his involvement. While we cannot verify the circumstances surrounding his death, our focus remains on ensuring justice for the victims and preventing such incidents in the future. The UDM Youth Vanguard of the Eastern Cape demands that the Department of Education and the South African Police Service (SAPS) take immediate and decisive action to protect learners and hold perpetrators accountable. We will closely monitor this situation and advocate for the rights and dignity of learners to be safeguarded. In addition, the selling of drugs to learners in a nearby field is a serious concern that requires immediate attention from law enforcement. We urge the SAPS to increase patrols and ensure the safety of learners. UDM Youth Vanguard of the Eastern Cape welcomes the Eastern Cape Department of Education investigations into multiple cases of alleged sexual abuse across several schools in the province, and MEC Fundile Gade condemnation of such acts, as well as his vow to take decisive action to protect children's constitutional rights. We also welcome Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube announcement that urgent steps to address reports of sexual abuse and disruptions to teaching in schools across the Eastern Cape will be taken. The UDM Youth Vanguard of the Eastern Cape’s key demands: • Immediate action from law enforcement to protect learners and hold perpetrators accountable. • Swift and decisive action from the Department of Education to investigate and address the allegations, • Increased patrols and safety measures to prevent drug sales and abuse, • Support and protection for victims and witnesses, • Implementation of comprehensive safety protocols in schools to prevent future incidents. • Mandatory training for educators and staff on identifying and reporting abuse. • Regular monitoring and evaluation of school safety measures. We believe that every learner has the right to a safe and supportive learning environment, free from fear and intimidation. The UDM Youth Vanguard in the Eastern Cape fully aligns with our mother body, the United Democratic Movement, in its stance of zero tolerance for any form of abuse or sexual misconduct, particularly within educational institutions.
