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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.
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22 Sep, 2025
UDM calls for a festive season free of drunk driving tragedies
Statement by Zandile Phiri, Acting Secretary General of the United Democratic Movement The United Democratic Movement (UDM) notes with deep concern the alarming rise in drunk driving cases across South Africa. In KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) alone, 93 motorists were arrested in a single weekend, bringing the total number of arrests since 15 August to 293. These included 33 arrests in Kokstad, 24 in Pietermaritzburg and 16 in Ladysmith. These figures are a stark reminder that reckless behaviour on our roads continues to endanger lives. This is not unique to KZN. In June, the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department reported 226 motorists arrested in a single week for driving under the influence. In the Western Cape, between 30 June and 6 July, 23 people lost their lives in road crashes while 57 motorists were arrested for drunk driving in that same week. These reports illustrate that drunk driving is not a provincial problem but a national crisis that requires urgent coordinated intervention. As the festive season approaches, a period when alcohol consumption, travel and road use are at their highest, we must confront the devastating consequences of drunk driving. Every arrest represents a life that could have been lost, a family that could have been shattered or a community left grieving. The UDM commends the dedication of law enforcement officers across the provinces who have prevented potential tragedies. However, the numbers show that more must be done. The UDM therefore calls for: 1. Stronger enforcement and visible policing on all major routes and in high-risk areas. 2. Increased breathalyser checks, patrols and roadblocks, particularly during peak travel periods. 3. Expanded public awareness campaigns that highlight the devastating human cost of drunk driving. 4. Greater community participation to support road safety initiatives and report reckless behaviour. The UDM also makes a direct appeal to all South Africans. Stop this behaviour before more innocent lives are lost. Do not drink and drive. Choose responsibility over recklessness. Protect yourself, your loved ones and every other road user. South Africa cannot afford to normalise drunk driving. The safety of law-abiding motorists, passengers and pedestrians depends on a collective effort to change behaviour, enforce accountability and protect lives on our roads.
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22 Sep, 2025
Schools must be safe: UDM calls out national scandal of sexual abuse
Statement by Zandile Phiri, Acting Secretary General of the United Democratic Movement The United Democratic Movement (UDM) is outraged and heartbroken by the recent reports of sexual abuse, harassment and misconduct involving educators across our country. In just the past month, cases have surfaced in Gauteng, the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State which exposes a deep and systemic crisis in our education system. Recent incidents show the scale of this scourge. In Gauteng, teachers at Tiyelelani Secondary in Soshanguve were removed after protests exposed a pattern of sexual assault, while at Sunward Park High in Boksburg a teacher was dismissed for abusing pupils. In Bronkhorstspruit, a deputy principal faces charges of raping a nine-year-old and was let free on bail. In the Eastern Cape, St John’s College in Mthatha saw mass protests after allegations that teachers impregnated pupils and forced them into abortions, while further cases have surfaced in Dutywa and surrounding schools. In KwaZulu-Natal, teachers at Thubalethu Secondary in Pinetown are under investigation for molesting learners, while in Kokstad a teacher was arrested with weapons and stolen vehicles which raises further questions about vetting and oversight. In the Free State, learners from St Bernard High in Bloemfontein used social media to expose years of harassment by teachers, including explicit images and physical advances. These are not isolated cases. They reveal how schools across South Africa are failing in their most basic duty which is to keep children safe. Too often it has taken pupil protests, community outrage or viral social media posts for authorities to act. This points to a pattern of systemic neglect and silence. The UDM is clear. South African children cannot wait another day for change. We therefore demand urgent interventions. 1. Mandatory reporting of all allegations of sexual misconduct, with consequences for any adult who covers up such cases. 2. Immediate suspension and vetting of accused educators pending investigations, with permanent deregistration for those found guilty. 3. Swift criminal prosecutions that treat these cases with the seriousness they deserve, ensuring perpetrators are jailed and not quietly dismissed. 4. No bail for accused educators or authority figures facing charges of sexual abuse against learners. Allowing them back into communities, places children at further risk and undermines faith in the justice system. 5. Psychosocial support through counsellors and social workers permanently based in schools. 6. Accountability for principals and school governing bodies who fail to act, since inaction enables abuse to continue. Schools must be sanctuaries of learning, not sites of trauma. Our children’s right to safety and dignity is non-negotiable and the UDM will continue to press for systemic reforms to end this national shame.
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19 Sep, 2025
Porous borders fuel illicit trade: time to act
Statement by Zandile Phiri, Acting Secretary General of the United Democratic Movement The United Democratic Movement is alarmed by the rise in illicit cigarettes and alcohol in South Africa. These crimes rob the state of revenue, endanger public health, and weaken confidence in law enforcement. Recent cases show how criminal syndicates exploit porous borders, weak controls, and the complicity of some South Africans. Recently, in Musina, Limpopo, five SANDF members and two undocumented Zimbabwean nationals were arrested after illicit cigarettes worth R300,000 were found hidden at the Artonvilla military base. In the Cape Winelands, seven Somali nationals were detained at a Klapmuts facility where thousands of litres of ethanol and alcohol production equipment were seized. In Phoenix, Durban, police confiscated 1,500 bottles of illicit alcohol valued at R468,000 and arrested undocumented migrants working as delivery riders. These examples illustrate a pattern. While foreign nationals are often visible in these crimes, South Africans, including officials in uniform, play a central role in enabling and profiting from them. The South African Revenue Service has estimated that illicit alcohol cost the state R16.5 billion in lost tax revenue in 2024. It is reported that nearly one in five drinks consumed is illegal. Communities are exposed to unsafe products, while legitimate businesses lose jobs and investment. The UDM calls for urgent action. Border security and immigration enforcement must be strengthened. Corruption within security forces must be rooted out. Ethanol and alcohol production must be tightly regulated. Law enforcement agencies must coordinate to dismantle syndicates. Public awareness campaigns are needed to highlight the dangers of counterfeit goods. This is not a call to stigmatise foreign nationals, but to recognise that organised crime flourishes through cross-border networks, local collusion and weak enforcement. South Africa cannot afford to lose billions of rand and sacrifice lives to criminal profiteering.
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17 Sep, 2025
Jongikhaya crisis exposes broken promises on pit toilet eradication
Statement by Yongama Zigebe, Councillor in the City of Johannesburg for the United Democratic Movement and Chairperson of the S79 Committee on Gender, Youth and People with Disabilities The United Democratic Movement (UDM) warned earlier this year that the Department of Basic Education’s failure to meet its 31 March 2025 pit latrine eradication deadline would have real consequences. Today, those fears have been confirmed by the shocking conditions at Jongikhaya Junior Secondary School in Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape, where teachers and learners are forced to share collapsing pit toilets. Teachers have even surrendered one of their own toilets for Grade R learners, after a child narrowly avoided falling into a crumbling pit. This is not just neglect, it is an insult to the dignity, safety, and rights of our children. In April, the UDM, now a proud participant in the Government of National Unity, expressed deep disappointment when this administration missed its own pit latrine eradication deadline. Our role in government does not silence us. On the contrary, it strengthens our responsibility to highlight failures and demand urgent corrective action. A missed target in this case is not a small bureaucratic slip; it is the extension of a public health crisis that continues to endanger children. Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube claimed that 93 percent of pit toilets had been eradicated, but civil society groups such as SECTION27 raised serious concerns that this progress was being measured against an outdated 2018 audit, and that many schools with dangerous pit toilets had simply been overlooked. The situation at Jongikhaya proves that our warnings were not alarmist, they were accurate. Learners here continue to risk their lives daily because of collapsing toilets, while parents now tell their children to use the bushes instead, trading one unsafe environment for another. The Eastern Cape Department of Education has reportedly admitted that Jongikhaya is not even on the Sanitation Appropriate for Education (SAFE) programme, despite years of pleas from the school. This is a betrayal of the community and of the constitutional rights of learners. This crisis is not only about one school. It is the result of decades of poor planning, missed targets, and billions of rands underspent or misallocated, while rural schools continue to be treated as second-class. The GNU cannot repeat the mistakes of past administrations. We must be honest with the public: unless we act decisively, learners will continue to pay the price for government neglect. The UDM therefore calls on Minister Gwarube to: 1. Prioritise Jongikhaya JSS for emergency sanitation upgrades before a tragedy occurs. 2. Conduct a new, transparent national audit of all schools still using pit latrines, and make the results public. 3. Publish a clear, time-bound implementation plan to eradicate all pit toilets, with no further extensions. 4. Ringfence funds transparently for rural school infrastructure, with community oversight to prevent underspending and corruption. 5. Work with civil society and the private sector to accelerate safe sanitation projects. South Africa cannot afford another empty promise. The dignity and safety of our children must come first. Jongikhaya is not just another case, it is living proof that government’s failure to deliver on its own deadlines has left our children in danger. The UDM will continue to raise its voice within the GNU and outside of it, ensuring that the safety, dignity, and future of learners are placed above political convenience. We will not rest until every learner in South Africa has access to safe and dignified school infrastructure. Note: When Cllr Zigebe served as the Secretary General of the UDM, he championed the eradication of pit latrines as a matter of human rights and learner dignity. His presentation to Parliament in November 2023, alongside the Nguvu Collective, cemented his role as a leading voice on this issue. Today, even in his capacity as councillor, he continues to act as a spokesperson for the thousands of learners still forced to endure unsafe and undignified sanitation conditions, ensuring that this campaign remains alive in both Parliament and the public domain.
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17 Sep, 2025
No Space, No Future? UDESMO says Enough!
Statement by Lucia Matomane, UDESMO Eastern Cape Provincial Chairperson The United Democratic Students’ Movement (UDESMO) in the Eastern Cape has long been outraged by the persistent crisis in higher education. For years, students have been forced to carry the burden of the government’s failure to plan, NSFAS’s chaos, and issues like universities that reward executives while neglecting learners. Each academic year brings the same broken promises, the same delays, and the same exclusion of thousands of young people who only seek the chance to study further. This year, 850,000 matriculants will sit for exams, but only half of them will find a place in universities, TVETs, or CET colleges. The rest will be left behind. Imagine working hard to pass matric, only to be told there is no space for you. That is not just bad planning, it is a betrayal of our generation. At the same time, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is collapsing under the weight of its own failures. Kimberley is the latest example, centred on Sol Plaatje University, where landlords housing more than 500 students have not been paid for over a year. Businesses are closing, jobs are being lost, and students now face the threat of eviction. This is not a “Kimberley issue,” it is a national crisis that repeats itself every year. Meanwhile, vice-chancellors and executives continue to pocket millions while students sleep in libraries, go hungry, and drop out because allowances never arrive. The inequality is staggering, and it proves that the system serves the powerful, not the students. • Now we are told that a “war room” will solve these problems. But students do not need another committee. We need urgent action. Minister Manamela’s war room must address the following issues: • Pay landlords now to stop evictions. • Expand the number of student spaces for 2026 so that no deserving learner is left behind. • Ensure safe, affordable housing by funding universities and TVET colleges to expand residences, and by holding NSFAS and accredited private providers accountable for the conditions students live in. • Stop rewarding executives with inflated salaries while students are denied basic dignity. • Think long term: expand infrastructure, build new universities and TVET colleges, and create the capacity to serve the next generation of students instead of leaving them stranded year after year. The truth is that the Department of Higher Education and Training has failed to plan for the long term. In 2026, we will see the same heartbreak as in 2025: young people arriving at campuses only to be turned away. For 30 years, successive ministers have wasted opportunities and resources, while the system remains stuck in crisis mode. Year after year, students pay the price for their inaction. We as UDESMO say: enough is enough. We will not be silent while our generation is robbed of opportunity. We will organise, we will mobilise, and we will hold government, NSFAS, and institutions accountable. Students cannot wait. Our future cannot be postponed. Inclusion now!
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17 Sep, 2025
Service delivery in crisis: Merafong residents left to fend for themselves
Statement by Ndidi Gcalangobuthi, UDM Councillor in Merafong City Local Municipality The United Democratic Movement (UDM) in Merafong City notes with deep concern Merafong City Municipality’s poor governance and worsening finances that have resulted in residents enduring prolonged service disruptions. The recent case of a private individual drilling a borehole in his yard as a means of providing water after residents in Merafong have endured three weeks without, underscores a serious breakdown in the municipality’s duty to its residents. It is deeply concerning that residents are being forced to do what municipalities should. Currently, Rand Water is owed over R1.41 billion by the Merafong City Local Municipality which has resulted in an imposed 40% water restriction in the area, leaving taps dry for weeks. It can be agreed that the domino effect of chronic mismanagement has resulted in low revenue collection rates, operational losses, debt accumulation and escalating tariffs. A clear indication of municipal collapse. While these failures can be viewed as mere technicalities, residents in affected areas bear the burden of governance failures that undermine health, dignity and the right to water. Ensuring provision of basic services is municipalities’ legal obligation, yet residents are forced to bear the costs and risks of government negligence. The UDM in Merafong City further notes that this crisis is worsened by the growing culture of non-payment of rates and taxes. When people do not pay, the municipality loses vital revenue and service delivery grinds to a halt. At the same time, we cannot ignore that many families in Merafong are struggling with poverty and unemployment and simply cannot afford ever-increasing tariffs. This is why the whole system must be fair: those who are able to pay must do so, while government must create a safety net for those who genuinely cannot. Without this balance, Merafong will continue to sink deeper into collapse and ordinary residents will suffer most. We demand accountability from Merafong’s leadership and from provincial and national authorities tasked with oversight. The failure to act decisively will deepen the collapse of governance and further strip residents of their constitutional rights.
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17 Sep, 2025
UDM calls for urgent action on hijacked and unsafe buildings in Joburg
Statement by Yongama Zigebe, Councillor in the City of Johannesburg for the United Democratic Movement and Chairperson of the S79 Committee on Gender, Youth and People with Disabilities The United Democratic Movement (UDM) in the City of Johannesburg is deeply alarmed by the worsening crisis of hijacked and unsafe buildings across the city, particularly those owned by government. The tragic Usindiso fire of 2023, which claimed 77 lives, remains a painful reminder of what happens when authorities fail to act. The recent reports about families occupying the old SAPS building in Yeoville highlight the complex realities facing our city. While these buildings provide a desperate refuge for people who cannot afford formal housing, they are also unsafe and unfit for human habitation. They pose extreme risks, from fires and structural collapse to poor sanitation and crime, while placing additional pressure on already fragile municipal systems. The UDM recognises that hijacked and “dark” buildings are not simply a matter of criminality. They are a symptom of deeper failures; poverty, unemployment, and the housing shortage that continue to plague Johannesburg. The truth is that many residents occupy these spaces out of desperation, not choice. We therefore call on the City of Johannesburg to take decisive and humane action. Enforcement alone will not solve this crisis; nor can the City continue to look away while people live in death traps. What is required is a comprehensive, compassionate approach that balances public safety with social justice. The UDM in the City of Johannesburg proposes: 1. A full and transparent audit of hijacked and unsafe buildings in the city, starting with government-owned properties. We note Premier Lesufi’s commitment to a so-called “bad building strategy” and the audit of more than 200 unsafe buildings in Johannesburg. While these promises are welcome, progress has been painfully slow, and communities remain at risk. The City and Province must move beyond announcements to urgent, visible action. 2. An emergency plan to relocate residents living in life-threatening conditions into safe, alternative accommodation. 3. Action against syndicates and officials implicated in building hijackings. 4. A sustainable housing strategy that expands affordable rental options and partners with civil society and the private sector. Johannesburg cannot afford another Usindiso tragedy. The UDM will continue to speak up for residents whose lives are being placed at risk by negligence and poor governance. The City has a duty to act, not with force alone, but with fairness, foresight, and a commitment to the dignity of all its people.
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16 Sep, 2025
Safeguarding press freedom while strengthening policing
Statement by Nqabayomzi Kwankwa, MP, UDM Deputy President and Leader in Parliament The United Democratic Movement (UDM) is deeply concerned by recent incidents that expose a disturbing trend in the treatment of journalists by the South African Police Service (SAPS). Press freedom has been one of the cornerstones of our new democracy, enshrined in the Constitution to safeguard transparency, accountability and the people’s right to know. Yet, increasingly, journalists are finding themselves under siege by the very institutions mandated to protect those freedoms. The case of Cape Town journalist Sandiso Phaliso, who was assaulted, harassed, and twice unlawfully deprived of his phone while reporting in Nyanga, is a chilling reminder of how far things have fallen. Despite his press credentials, Phaliso was subjected to violence and intimidation, and to date, his equipment has not been returned. Similarly, in Johannesburg, Julia Evans of the Daily Maverick was wounded by a rubber bullet while covering community protests in Westbury. According to her account, SAPS deployed a flashbang and fired rubber bullets without prior warning, putting the lives of residents, demonstrators and journalists in danger. These incidents cannot be dismissed as isolated. They speak to a broader tendency within SAPS to abandon restraint in favour of brute force. This is particularly troubling because it undermines both public trust in policing and the constitutional guarantee of a free and independent press. It must be said clearly: a police service that bullies journalists, obstructs their work, and ignores the very policies that protect press freedom is a danger to our democracy. The protections guaranteed by Standing Orders and National Instructions are meaningless if they are not enforced in practice. At the same time, the UDM acknowledges the extreme pressures under which our police operate. South Africa is gripped by high levels of violent crime, and SAPS officers often face life-threatening situations. Their frustrations are understandable, but they cannot be allowed to spill over into indiscriminate heavy-handedness. To “shoot first and ask questions later” is to abandon discipline and professionalism, which are the bedrock of effective policing. The balance between firm crime prevention and respect for rights must never be lost. Police officers must be supported with the resources, training and leadership needed to combat crime decisively, but also guided to uphold constitutional values in the execution of their duties. Journalists are not enemies of the police – they are allies of the public in shining a light on injustice and holding everyone, including criminals and government, accountable. When SAPS upholds this balance, it strengthens trust and legitimacy. The UDM therefore calls on the Minister of Police, the National Commissioner, and provincial leadership to urgently reinforce this principle: that in the fight against crime, the police must never lose sight of the Constitution and the freedoms it guarantees. To do so would be to surrender to lawlessness, rather than overcome it.
