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31 Mar, 2014
President Zuma response to the Public Protector’s report further confirms his ethical clumsiness
President Jacob Zuma’s latest outburst, in response to Public Protector Thuli Madonsela’s findings on Nkandla, is yet another demonstration that he is not a moral agent and unfit to lead South Africa. Firstly, Mr Zuma – as the chief executive of the country – ought to have known everything that related to government spending at his private residence. Particularly given the amount of public money involved. His continued posture, playing ignorant, does not only expose his ineptitude, but also his moral incompetence. Secondly, whether or not he was aware, this gross maladministration and corruption literally happened right under his nose – in his own backyard – upon the instruction and under the supervision of the ministers he had appointed. Thirdly, there is enough evidence that shows President Zuma’s intimate involvement in the project, which is in direct contrast to what he said in public. The Public Protector’s report states that: “It is my considered view that the president tacitly accepted the implementation of all measures at his residence and has unduly benefited from the enormous capital investment“. Fourthly, Mr Zuma’s personal architect, Mr Makhanya, who seemed to have his own interests at heart, is implicated in wrong-doing and possible criminal acts. Surely, the president is morally responsible for the acts and/or omissions of his personal architect. Mr Zuma continuously claims to be unaware of everything; from the Waterkloof scandal to the billions of dollars reportedly cached in South Africa by former Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi. Clearly the president cannot be entrusted with the stewardship of South Africa. The United Democratic Movement (UDM) has no doubt that the president was fully aware of the project, progress and undue benefits. The UDM agrees with African National Congress Member of Parliament, Mr Pallo Jordan, that Mr Zuma’s administration is littered with scandals and that he must have the moral courage to take responsibility. The president and his government cannot be allowed to lie to the public forever. The citizens must take charge. This is our country.
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30 Mar, 2014
Speech: Welcoming former Democratic Alliance and African National Congress members into the UDM Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP (Gugulethu High School, Cape Town)
• Leadership of the UDM in the Western Cape • UDM Public Representatives • The people who live in the Cape Flats and Gugulethu in particular • New members of the UDM • My fellow South Africans Welcome! I am heartened by the many faces I see before me, because we are united in the knowledge that we have a common cause i.e. we want to go back to the original agenda, which is to better the lives of all South Africans. We agree that it is time to take charge of our future and work towards making South Africa a Winning Nation. I specifically welcome the former members of the African National Congress (ANC) and the Democratic Alliance who join the United Democratic Movement’s (UDM) ranks today. Welcome to the club! Visit to the Khoisan King This morning the senior leadership of the Party in the province accompanied me to pay respect to the Khoisan King, the Chiefs and their advisors. We thank them for the honour they bestowed upon us. We discussed the UDM’s position that, as the vanguard of our country’s traditions, norms and future direction, traditional leaders have a critical role to play to ensure our people’s right to dignity is restored and protected. The UDM reiterated its position that traditional leaders, across the country, should be the ones responsible for mobilising their subjects to express opinions and reach consensus on how development in their communities will take place and how economic initiatives will be to the benefit of those communities. We explained our view, that traditional leaders should also be afforded the respect and dignity they deserve and one of the ways of doing so is to standardise the value of perks (e.g. vehicles) across the board for ministers, deputy-ministers, directors general, mayors and traditional leaders, etc. Elections 2014 – State of the Nation We have become a frustrated, if not a jaded nation. If you pick up a paper, or tune into a radio station, you are inundated with stories of corruption, murder and rape and service delivery protest that end with the trigger happy police hurting and killing our fellow South Africans – and so the list goes on. The Comrades in Corruption at the helm of our government Would you agree that our hard-won liberties are being destroyed by corruption and government neglect? The ruling elite has turned corruption into a competitive sport. Not only do they condone each other’s behaviour, they protect their comrades in corruption and celebrate afterward with a double Johnny Walker Blue Label on ice, which they charge to the taxpayers’ tab. It is even worse that this institutionalised corruption has reached the highest office in the country and it is a fact the rest of the world measures us by our president. The story the Public Protector told the nation last Wednesday send shivers down one’s spine. The amount of money spent on the Nkandla Lodge boggles the mind. Does Mr Zuma’s ministerial guard expect South Africans to believe that the “swimming pool” is actually a “fire pool,” just in case one of the compound’s thatched roofs catches fire? If that is in fact the case, we certainly hope someone remembered to install a pump and a very long hosepipe. The ANC and their partners bluster and rant, attacking the Public Protector, hurling personal insults and swearing at her – and all the while President Zuma keeps quiet. Do you think spending R250 million on our President’s homestead is right when so many South Africans live in abject poverty? One thing is certain, the incumbent leaders of government can no longer take the moral high ground that was occupied during the time of the late President Nelson Mandela. Elections 2014 – State of the Province The Western Cape has become a mere battlefield for the powers that govern this province and those at a national level. Whilst they sling mud at each other, they forget about you whilst you sink deeper into the quagmire of poverty, joblessness and poor service delivery. The socio-economic suffering in the Western Cape is a blight that particularly affects this province. Serious issues such as organised crime, gangsterism and substance abuse have become synonymous with poor communities. A vicious cycle starts because there is no work. People, especially the vulnerable youth, resort to crime and fall for the “attractions” of the gangsters’ lifestyle of fast cars and bling. Drugs and drinking become a standard pastime and this in turn leads to more vandalism, crime, family violence and heartache. On Monday, during testimony at the Khayelitsha Commission, we heard that the Western Cape has the lowest staff complement of police in the country. This is not acceptable. The issues of gangsterism, crime (rape and murder in particular) and drug abuse in this province are as old as the mountains, and yet the South African Police Services have not responded to the threat with the necessary urgency and action. Does in not make you angry that the Democratic Alliance and the ANC have, in their efforts to thwart each other, reduced crime fighting in the province to a political football? What makes the UDM differenct? Why must you vote UDM? • The UDM is rooted in the very foundation of anti-corruption. We are relentless in the pursuit of the original agenda, which is to improve the lives of all South Africans. • We are unwavering in our stance that institutionalised corruption is one of the main contributors to unemployment, poverty, inequality and poor service delivery. • The UDM has prudent and effective leadership who work in a consultative manner. This is evidenced by our open-door approach and our efforts to meet with communities across the length and breadth of South Africa. • A UDM government will go back-to-basics and pave the way for economic emancipation for everyone. Conclusion There is hope for South Africa and the UDM can lead real change in your lives. You need to think about an alternative and the UDM is that alternative. When you make your mark on the 7th of May, I want you to remember, you have the power to change, so that we can have a better future for ourselves and our children. I thank you
Admin
28 Mar, 2014
UDEMWO welcomes Kutumela sentence, but is it enough?
The United Democratic Women’s Organisation (UDEMWO) is pleased to hear that Thato Kutumela has been sentenced to ten years for rape and 20 years for the murder of his 18-year-old pregnant ex-girlfriend. We are however disappointed that Kutumela’s sentences will run concurrently and hope that he will never be paroled. Our courts should mete out harsh sentences on the perpetrators of abuse and violence against women and children. UDEMWO believes that a zero-tolerance system should be employed to deter, punish and rehabilitate offenders whilst supporting the victims and their families; making sure that justice is served and their dignity restored. Our hearts go out to Zanele Khumalo’s parents and other loved ones. May her soul and that of her unborn child, rest in peace.
Admin
27 Mar, 2014
Statement: the ANC wants to erode public confidence in the Public Protector
The United Democratic Movement (UDM) is outraged at the sustained attack on the Public Protector by the various offshoots of the African National Congress (ANC). The latest outburst by the ruling party’s chief whip of parliament, Mr Stone Sizani, only exposes his ignorance of the very same laws he is entrusted to make and is consistent with the attitude of the ANC towards institutions that investigate corruption without fear, favour or prejudice. This unwarranted aggressive stance by Mr Sizani echoes that of Cosas, the ANCYL, COSATU and the SACP. The ANC and their partners are hell-bent on, and without shame or embarrassment, executing a plan that the media has reported on for days before the release of the report. We have witnessed a similar onslaught during the time before the demise of the Scorpions and the undue influence exerted in the NPA. Instead of supporting Advocate Madonsela, the only aim is to erode the confidence in her office (an organ of our constitutional democracy) and give credence to its internal and non-independent structures. The ANC and its government cannot possibly investigate their own misconduct in an impartial and neutral way. The inter-ministerial report therefore cannot be placed on a pedestal and the credible Public Protector report disregarded.
Admin
21 Mar, 2014
UDM Contribution at Human Rights Day Celebration at Sharpeville
Speech from Mrs Thandi Nontenja (UDM National Treasurer) to be delivered at the Department of Arts and Culture Human Rights Day Programme Director The Minister of the Department of Arts and Culture, Premier of Gauteng – Nomvula Mokonyane Leaders of other Political Parties Fellow South Africans: It is an honour and a privilege to be part of the commemoration of what we used to call Sharpeville Day back then. It is befitting for this day to be called Human Rights Day as the rights of those who were marching on that day were violated by the police under the apartheid regime. Today I want to discuss issues that relate to the challenges we faced as a nation. These challenges form the basis of our common humanity. What happened on that day? More than 50 years ago when the police in Sharpeville saw the masses marching towards them they opened fire, killing approximately 69 individuals and injuring hundreds. The scars are deeply embedded. On a daily basis we remember where we have been as a nation and where we want to be. We want to ensure that human dignity, equality and freedom are always entrenched in the lives of our people. Presently, there are so many questions posed about police brutality in South Africa. Police management is a major problem, this includes; poor training, disrespect for law, lack of accountability, criminals within police ranks and so on. You will recall that the South African Human Rights Commission has also expressed its concerns about policing. The United Democratic Movement (UDM) believes that Human Rights Day should be celebrated in the spirit of pride and joy of our human rights as described in our constitution. The terrible irony is that there have been so many human rights abuses in the past few years like Andries Tatane killing, the Marikana massacre, Madibeng killings, Bekkersdal, the list is endless. This is even more disturbing, when one considers that the government, which should be the custodian of this beautiful piece of legislation, has become a culprit in the abuse of human rights as evidenced by our police’s “shoot first, ask later” doctrine. Government has an undisputable responsibility to take action to end violence and not perpetrate it. Respect for human dignity is a value which should be cherished. People cannot be tortured or be treated in a cruel, inhumane or degrading way. As leaders, let us send a positive message to South Africans at large. Let us remind them about their Human Rights but emphasise the fact that with rights comes responsibility. The UDM believes that whoever violates someone else’s rights forfeits his or her own rights. We cannot have a situation where criminals have more rights than law abiding citizens. The state has a major role to play. The government has to create rules and laws that would guide the behaviour of individuals in the society. Institutions such as the Human Rights Commission must play an active role in the promotion and protection of human rights. We also need a strong national program on human rights education. When people look at their past they have to see a difference in their future. We need to be the authors of a new book where we can tell a new story. A story of a perfect nation that respects the rights of every South African. I thank you.
Admin
21 Mar, 2014
Mr Holomisa speech: Commemoration of Human Rights Day at Gxwalibomvu
Address of the UDM President, Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP at the Commemoration of Human Rights Day at Gxwalibomvu Leadership of the United Democratic Movement in the Eastern Cape The people from Gxwalibomvu My fellow South Africans THANK YOU AND WELCOME On behalf of the United Democratic Movement (UDM), I wish to thank the people of Gxwalibomvu for the gracious invitation to commemorate Human Rights Day with you. Today we are welcomed in a part in of the Eastern Cape, where the ruling party brags, is one of its biggest – if not the biggest – ANC branches in the country. This is particularly significant because the UDM today welcomes hundreds of the ruling party’s members into our fold. I think that you must give yourselves a big applause. Tomorrow, upon the invitation of the people of Sterkspruit, it will also be the UDM’s pleasure to welcome another few hundred of the ruling party’s members who have become disillusioned with a government that does not listen. COMMEMORATING HUMAN RIGHTS DAY After having shared some good news, it is with a sense of sadness that we gather on this day to reflect on the 1960 Sharpeville Massacre. We have commemorated this day since the advent of democracy in 1994. However, in recent times, we find ourselves on a slippery slope of human rights abuses that we had hoped to never see again. In the Apartheid years egregious human rights abuses were perpetrated as a matter of course. The abuses we have witnessed, on a daily basis, in the past few years is therefore an even greater travesty. We look back on the murder of Andries Tatane. We think of the countless incidents where our police services fired at communities who merely used their constitutional right to speak freely and to demonstrate. We, in particular, think of the hurt and distress the people of Marikana had suffered, and are still made to suffer. Instead of a government listening to the complaints of the people it sends the police, which has adopted a doctrine of: “shoot first, ask questions later”. The incumbent leaders of government can no longer take the moral high ground that was occupied in the times of the late President Nelson Mandela. MORE ABUSE OF POWER – NKANDLA We listened in awe to what the Public Protector told the nation on Wednesday about what can only be described as a lodge which was built for President Zuma. The millions of Rands that was spent on Nkandla boggles the mind. Yes we agree, a President is entitled to certain privileges, but does that include a tuck shop? Homes for his family and tunnels and kraals for cattle? Do you think this is right in a country were far too many of our people live in abject poverty? But of course the powers that be in the security cluster went to great lengths to convince the nation that these millions were only spent on “security upgrades”. Advocate Madonsela told us that Mr Zuma’s personal architect had inflated the costs of his services. This raises the following question: why? We are of the view that a forensic audit must be done to follow the paper trail to see what the monies paid over to Mr Minenhle Makhanya was used for. It might be possible that the fat that he added to his bill was diverted to cover the costs for the Zuma family’s houses. THE ANC ALLIANCE GOES TO GREAT LENGTHS TO DISCREDIT AND UNDERMINE THE PUBLIC PROTECTOR I remind you that we have seen this situation unfold before! Remember what happened to the Scorpions? The moment they started to produce results, which were “inconvenient” for the leaders of the tri-partite alliance, the Scorpions were discredited and in the end their demise was orchestrated. The UDM expresses its dismay, but maybe not its surprise, at the ANC and its government’s desperate move to place their inter-ministerial cover-up of Nkandla on a pedestal in an attempt to malign the Public Protector. The credibility of the Nkandla report cannot be challenged. The inter-ministerial exercise remains a public relations exercise aimed at deceiving the people. It can never be trusted. Their condescending response and insinuation that the Public Protector may have political motives, demonstrates their sheer disdain towards this crucial organ of our constitutional democracy. The ANC and its government must remember that the Public Protector exercises her powers and functions without fear, favour or prejudice, as an independent and impartial institution which derives its legitimacy and powers from Section 181 of the Constitution. The report of the Public Protector is credible, meticulous and goes to the heart of the problem that engulfs South Africa. We are certain that the Nkandla scandal is the tip of the iceberg in a country that suffers from glaring mismanagement, maladministration and corruption. Instead of shamelessly undermining this important institution, the members of executive (who solemnly swore to “obey, observe, uphold and maintain the Constitution”) must perform their duties with honour and be the true custodians of our Constitution. The ANC and its alliance partners continue to demonstrate considerable lack of humility in light of the overwhelming evidence of gross maladministration, misconduct and corruption. They cannot resist the urge to, once more, attempt to dupe the nation and forge ahead on their dubious path. HANDS OFF THE PUBLIC PROTECTOR! The UDM calls on all leaders of good conscience – those of opposition parties, communities and civil society – to stand together so that the Public Procter can in turn be protected from the hyenas howling for her blood. CONCLUSION Before I leave you today, I leave you with a bit of homework. If you are still of the view that the ANC is the way to go, do a little introspection. Look at what they have done to the country and her people. They employ lies to enrich the few at the expense of the many. When you go to the polls on 7 May… think! The power is in your hands; take charge! It is time for change, so that we can have a better future for ourselves and our children. I thank you
Admin
19 Mar, 2014
Nkandla: President Zuma no longer has the moral authority to lead – it’s time to go
The scathing report of the Public Protector on the so-called Nkandla “upgrades” probably marks one of the darkest moments in the history our country since the advent of democracy in 1994. The findings that President Zuma has once again violated the Executive Members Ethics Code through his failure to act in protection of state resources, that he tacitly accepted the implementation of all measures at his residence and has unduly benefited from the enormous capital investment, must be offensive to any nation that takes pride in the values espoused in its constitution. No individual can be above our nation and our laws. We agree with the Public Protector when she says, “…if government becomes lawbreaker, it breeds contempt of law”. The report, in finding guilty various ministers and departments, is an indictment of our government and the ruling party. Advocate Madonsela’s report exposes the conspicuous lack of shame of the ruling party, its ministers and its leaders. The Comrades in Corruption have a propensity to deceive the citizenry in defence of its susceptible president and each other. The ministers’ calculated deception and ex facto justification of the spend is an indication of how institutionalised corruption has rooted itself in government. The fabric of our nation’s probity has been corroded and confidence has waned in the leadership, body politic and integrity of our nation – all because of one man and what was done in his defence. The ANC’s continued disregard of the many voices of conscience, inside and outside its ranks, and failure to put South Africa first, is a clear indication that only the voters can stop them now. We therefore urge voters to send the message loud and clear: “We Can Stop Corruption”. The United Democratic Movement (UDM) also pays tribute to the late Mandy Rossouw who exposed this scandal through her courageous and diligent journalistic work. Her extraordinary work reinforces our belief that a free media remains one of the pillars of our constitutional democracy. There is no doubt that somewhere up there she looks down upon South Africa with a broad smile. In addition, we continue to be impressed with the meticulous and diligent way in which the Public Protector and her team carries out their functions. We have full confidence in the constitution and all its institutions that are meant to strengthen our democracy. After having witnessed this situation unfold, it is clear that electoral legislation in South Africa must change to allow the people to hire and fire their own president. We cannot sit; do nothing and suffer the consequences. We, as the people, must take responsibility and take charge. Now is the time for our nation to stand up against corruption. We can change what has become systemic corruption if we rise to the challenge.
Admin
11 Mar, 2014
Speech: Consideration of fiscal framework and revenue proposals (Mr N Kwankwa, MP)
Address by Mr Nqabayomzi Kwankwa, MP in the National Assembly Debate: Consideration of Fiscal Framework and Revenue Proposals Mister Speaker, Deputy President and Honourable Members, Economies around the world, including ours, have since the financial crisis in 2008 struggled to return back to pre-subprime crisis economic performance levels. This decline in business activity has resulted in massive job losses, business closures and in many families finding it difficult to make ends meet. Despite these challenges, good strides in economic and social development have been made to boost the economy, create jobs and reduce poverty. Mister Speaker, One of the good things the Minister and the Department have done well over the past few months is that they have heeded the call to reduce costs by keeping an eye on and actively seeking ways to moderate the public sector wage bill. It has also introduced a wide range of cost cutting measures. We also commend Government for ensuring that the consolidated budget deficit came down from the 4.2 per cent forecast in October last year to 4 per cent. However, while it makes sense to, in light of the current general economic decline, run a budget deficit of 4 per cent in the medium-term to support our developmental objectives, the budget deficit viewed together with the rising public debt, which stands at just over 40 per cent of GDP, gives an impression that Government is struggling to embark on a fiscal consolidation programme. Yes, we are aware that rising global interest rates have been a major contributor to the rise in debt service costs for Government. We are also cognisant of the fact that significant steps have been taken to improve the management of public debt and that currently only about 10 per cent of public debt is in foreign currency. However, the United Democratic Movement (UDM) believes that more needs to done to improve efficiency in Government. This is essential in reducing and bringing South Africa’s debt to sustainable levels. Mr Speaker, Labour unrest is hurting the South African economy and results in the loss of our country’s competitiveness. Nowhere is this loss of competitiveness more evident than in the current account deficit of approximately 6 per cent and the fact South Africa’s net portfolio investments declined to R24.3 billion in 2013 from R88.8 billion in 2012. Mister Minister, it concerns us that South Africa’s large current-account and budget deficits are beginning to attract the attention of rating Agencies, which already have a negative outlook on South Africa. The UDM calls on Government to take steps to improve the depressing investment climate in South Africa in order to ensure private investment – both portfolio and in particular foreign direct investment – is rekindled. This is one of the most essential ways to achieve economic growth rates that are necessary to arrest poverty. Mister Speaker, It makes us uneasy to see that Government’s debt and deficit reduction programme seems to principally depend on optimistic economic growth forecasts. Output growth in South Africa has been sluggish for quite some time and judging by Government’s failure to achieve past targets, we are not convinced that the new targets will be achieved. The UDM believes that output growth forecasts should be realistic so that we can begin the process of setting the country’s finances on a path to fiscal consolidation. The UDM supports the Consideration of Fiscal Framework and Revenue Proposals. I thank you.
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