Admin
18 Oct, 2013
Social conditions at South African mines; miners’ monies invested, but they see no dividends
Open letter to the Farlam Commission regarding: “Social conditions at South African mines; miners’ monies invested, but they see no dividends” from Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP (UDM President) (30 April 2013) Dear Sir The United Democratic Movement (UDM) believes that the findings and recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry into the tragic incident at the Marikana Mine would not be complete if the Commission does not look at the social conditions of the miners and the communities that surround mining activities. Part of the unhappiness that led to the strikes we have seen in the mining industry is caused by the exploitation of mineworkers by both the employers and the unions who claim to represent their best interests. In particular, unions take their members’ monies and tell them it will be invested in schemes such as provident funds and other investment opportunities. Although union members diligently contribute to these schemes, of the investment arms of the trade unions, they never receive the dividends. This worrying trend is witnessed when we talk to ex-mineworkers who say they have never benefited from these schemes and are unlikely to. The organisations that represent these ex-mineworkers have been sent from pillar to post by the Departments of Labour and Health in their search for their monies. They have approached Parliament and the Office of the President for assistance, to no avail. For the Commission to find a sustainable solution, and to avoid a repetition of the Marikana tragedy, we advise that you solicit information about these provident funds and so-called investments arms of the unions. The Commission could summon the South African Chamber of Mines, the National Union of Mineworkers, the Department of Labour and the Department of Health to explain where the mineworkers’ monies are. If the Commission winds up without attending to these deep-seated worries of the miners, there will be no end in sight to the wildcat strikes we see in the mining industry. With the issues affecting the miners and their families, and their highly emotive nature, each strike we see in future has the potential to escalate into tragedy. If the Commission investigates the matter of the investment of mineworkers’ monies, show them the truth and give them the answers they need, it has a unique opportunity to address one of the root causes of miners’ complaints once and for all. Kindly advise Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP President of the United Democratic Movement
Admin
18 Oct, 2013
Outstanding land claim payments for Gqogqorha Administrative Area
Open letter to President Zuma from Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP (UDM President), regarding: outstanding land claim payments for Gqogqorha Administrative Area On the 04th of February 2011 you, Sir, and senior officials from the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform visited Gqogqorha administrative area to resolve the land claims in the area. According to Gqogqorha residents, during this visit cheques ranging from R 31 000 to R 39 000 were written out and given to residents in payment for what they described as “rental money”. This community claims that this was the first of two payments that were due to them from government. Apparently, government was to come back a year later to settle the second part of the payment which was for “removals”. The deadline for this payment was duly set for June 2012. However, when June came the deadline was extended to September 2012. When September came the deadline was first shifted to November 2012 and then January this year. However, almost five months into the year nothing has happened. This year Gqogqorha residents followed-up with their contact person at the Eastern Provincial Government, Ms Amanda Buso to establish when they should expect to receive payment. To their surprise, Ms Buso’s who has been willy-nilly extending deadlines started sending them from pillar to post. When they make contact with her now, she refers them to a Mr Pityi, as she claims that she no longer works for Land Claims section. The Gqogqorha residents are understandably upset and frustrated with this. I call on your Office to look into this matter and ensure its speedy resolution. Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP UDM President
Admin
18 Oct, 2013
Inspection of appalling conditions where workers of Anglo Gold Mine at Vaal Reefs are kept
Open letter to three Ministers from Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP (UDM President), regarding: in loco inspection of appalling conditions where workers of Anglo Gold Mine at Vaal Reefs are kept (14 June 2013) To: Minister of Energy and Minerals Ms Elizabeth Dipuo Peters Private Bag X96, Pretoria, 0001 To: Minister of Mineral Resources Ms Susan Shabangu Private Bag X59, Arcadia, 0007 To: Minister of Labour Ms Mildred Nelisiwe Oliphant Private Bag X117, Pretoria, 0001 Dear Honourable Ministers CALLING THE MINISTER OF MINERALS, MINERAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY AND OF LABOUR TO CONDUCT AN INSPECTION IN LOCO AS A RESULT OF THE APPALLING CONDITIONS WHERE WORKERS OF ANGLO GOLD MINE AT VAAL REEFS ARE KEPT The leadership of the United Democratic Movement (UDM) visited the compounds of Anglo-Gold Mines at Vaal Reef where the allegedly dismissed workers are kept until the matter is decided upon by the Labour Court. The conditions under which these workers are accommodated is inhuman as their compound is barricaded as a danger zone by barbed wire and all the kitchen material such as stoves have been taken away by the company. These workers are not being paid nor being given food rations. They are placed there to starve to death. This fuels a variety of concerns which need to be addressed. These are human beings and deserve to be treated as such. The UDM is making a call to the Minister of Minerals and Energy, Ms Elizabeth Peters, Minister of Mineral Resources, Ms Susan Shabangu and of Labour Ms Mildred Oliphant to do an inspection in loco of the compound. The UDM finds it disturbing that at this day and age, there is an existence of companies which treat their workers as animals. This is not acceptable. The relevant ministry should take a bold step against the company. Yours sincerely Bantu Holomisa, MP UDM President Copied to: Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission Advocate Mabedle Lawrence Mushwana
Admin
18 Oct, 2013
Mining talks need transparency and proper commitment from Government
Mr KP Motlanthe Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa Union Buildings Private Bag X1000, Pretoria, 0001 Dear Sir MINING TALKS NEED TRANSPARENCY AND PROPER COMMITMENT FROM GOVERNMENT AMCU’S DEMANDS Your efforts to engage with mining houses and trade unions to resolve issues negatively affecting the mining sector in South Africa are well documented; this includes your attempt to broker a peace pact between the various role-players. The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) have however abstained from signing the agreement until their demands which, we understand to include the below, are met: Reinstatement of dismissed workers. Retraction of Minister Blade Nzimande’ statement in which he called Amcu a vigilante union; and Dropping of a labour court case by the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) in which it seeks a reversal of Lonmin’s decision to recognise Amcu as the majority union. These demands do not appear to be unreasonable or impossible to meet, and it begs the question: why is the negotiating team dragging their feet? All role-players must engage in these kinds of negotiations in the most transparent manner possible and they must have both their hands open to show that nothing is hidden behind their backs. In order for any mediator to gain the trust of all the role-players; you cannot have your union background or affiliation colour your views and thus compromise your peace-making efforts. If your negotiation team refuses to, or claims that it is unable to, meet Amcu’s demands, one is tempted to believe that you are using the old Trojan Horse tactic to influence the outcome of the negotiations in favour a certain role-players. FAILURE OF MINISTERS ON YOUR TEAM TO ADDRESS BURNING ISSUES If you are indeed serious about finding a sustainable solution to the challenges facing the mining industry, we advise that you visit the compounds of Anglo-Gold Mines at Vaal Reef where dismissed workers are made to live. The conditions under which they are accommodated are inhumane. Their compound is barricaded with barbed wire as danger-zones and all the kitchen equipment, such as stoves, have been removed by the company. This situation was reported, in a 14 June 2013 letter (attached for your ease of reference), to some of the Cabinet Ministers who form part of your negotiating team and they have up to date not acted. How can Government engage in good faith in these mining talks if it treats issues such as human rights abuses by simply ignoring the worker’s expressed concerns? Yours sincerely Bantu Holomisa UDM President Copied to: Advocate ML Mushwana – Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission
Admin
18 Oct, 2013
President Zuma’s office responded to complaints regarding service delivery in Limpopo
President Zuma’s office responded to complaints regarding service delivery in Limpopo (Presidency’s Response + Memorandum + List of Complaints) and Eastern Cape (Presidency’s Response + Memorandum + List of Complaints)(OR Tambo and Chris Hani Regions). We will follow-up on some areas that have not been covered e.g. roads in Lusikisiki, Flagstaff and Bizana in particular.
Admin
17 Oct, 2013
Public Protector report on IEC lease agreement scandal to be considered Parliamentary Ad-hoc Committee
Open memo to the Speaker and Whip’s Forum re: Public Protector report on IEC lease agreement scandal to be considered Parliamentary Ad-hoc Committee from Bantu Holomisa, MP (UDM President) on 11 September 2013 The United Democratic Movement (UDM) demands a review of a decision to establish an Ad-hoc Committee to consider the report of the Public Protector, Advocate Thuli Madonsela, on the investigation into allegations of maladministration and corruption in the procurement of premises to accommodate the head office of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC). The proposal of the Majority Whip limits the participation of other political parties, yet we are all stakeholders of the IEC. There is no logic in the way in which the Ad-hoc Committee was constituted – instead the Portfolio Committee for Home Affairs should consider this matter. According to this draft, the ANC has 7 representatives, the DA 2, Cope 1, IFP 1 and remaining 8 parties is to be represented by 1 person. This smacks of manipulation to ensure a premeditated outcome. The principle of proportional representation has been completely violated, for instance how is it possible that the IFP and Cope to be allocated 1 representative each, yet Cope has more seats than the IFP in Parliament. The same applies to the parties who have 4 seats each in Parliament (UDM, ID, ACDP and FF+) and the rest with 1 seat each (namely the APC, MF, PAC and Azapo,) – they are told that they must have 1 person to represent all these stakeholders. It should be noted that each of these parties do not necessarily argue from the same point of view and their colleague in another party cannot hope to represent them fairly and accurately. In terms of the Electoral Act, the Electoral Court would have to, in one way or another, to play a role in this matter. We are therefore wondering whether it is not premature for the so-called Ad-Hoc Committee to even start deliberating the matter, instead of Parliament referring it to the Electoral Court. Parliament can then discuss the Court’s decision. Sincerely Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP UDM President
Admin
17 Oct, 2013
UDM marches for Marikana Justice
UDM marches for Marikana Justice – statement by Mr Bongani Msomi (UDM Secretary General) on 11 September 2013 The United Democratic Movement (UDM) reiterates its call for government to pay for all legal representation of the Marikana victims at the Farlam Commission. In doing so government will be serving Lady Justice by levelling the playing field and ensuring that the scene is set for justice to be effected. It is a pity that the ANC led government only listens when people take to the street. The UDM, together with the families of the Marikana victims, and other interested parties will be marching in solidarity to the Union Buildings on 12 September 2013 from 10:00am. The march will commence at Burgers Park in Pretoria central. The aim of this march is to give a voice to this crucial aspect of the legal proceedings. Other interested individuals especially those who want to see justice done are welcomed to participate. We demand the ANC led government to come to its senses and act in good faith.
Admin
17 Oct, 2013
Health Department in ICU
Health Department in ICU – statement by Mr Bongani Msomi (UDM Secretary General) on 12 September 2013 The United Democratic Movement (UDM) notes the commissioning of a five-person task team to investigate issues in the Eastern Cape relating to the growing health crisis. It is evident that the Minister does not have his finger on the pulse of the nation’s health, and that this token is definitely too little too late. To add insult to injury, the setting up of a commission is an exceptionally costly exercise since Minister Motsoaledi is quite aware of the problems facing the Health Department. The UDM suggests that he should have used the department machinery and saved costs, instead of commissioning a task team. This indicates that the ANC led government is in power but not in control. It seems that the Health Department has been in the ICU for quite some time, and the measures put in place didn’t yield positive results. Even the ANC government’s grand turnaround strategy has failed. The UDM strongly advises the Minister to ensure that the mandate of the Task Team is broad, and to include an investigation into the identification of officials who looted state resources, to recommend how state coffers can be recovered from these disgraceful officials, and a recommendation as to ways and means of sterilizing the department from corruption officials.
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