ADDRESS BY BANTU HOLOMISA MP IN PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA, SUBJECT FOR DISCUSSION:DEBATE ON THE STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS, February 17 2015

Hon Speaker, President, Deputy President and members

One of the five priority areas for this Administration as identified in the State of the Nation Addresses of 2013 / 2014 financial year, is the fight against crime and corruption. We have noted and welcome the report on work done in the area of corruption.

We may as well add Mr President, that in our small way, the UDM has, in support of the campaign against corruption and the promotion of ethical governance, helped the Independent Electoral Commission to reclaim its image.

The UDM has also advised you of a potential irregular expenditure of no less than half a billion rand of public funds, by the then Minister of Communications, Ms Dina Pule. You intervened, and what would have been an un-procedural expenditure was averted.

The UDM will continue to make our contribution in this important task of the nation. Accordingly, and in the interest of the public, we have already referred to the Public Protector for an investigation into allegation of possible wrong doing in The Jobs Fund established in 2011 with an investment of no less than R9bn.

In the interest of the image of Parliament, the UDM has also asked the Public Protector to investigate the alleged involvement of the Speaker of the National Assembly in the Gold Fields mine BEE share transaction. We will follow these matters until they are concluded and keep you posted.

The UDM is currently considering the best way of dealing with the irregularities in Brand South Africa involving the Treasurer General of the ruling party, Dr Zweli Mkhize.

The reported involvement of police in serious and violent crimes related to murder, armed robberies, rapes, theft, torture and burglaries is a cause for concern. Government must attend to this.

The instability at the top echelons of the crime busting institutions in the country is a cause for great concern and we invite Government, to give urgent attention to the resolution of this situation.

Madam Speaker, during the apartheid days security forces were preferred above political approach in resolving political problems. As the apartheid government was gradually losing grip, they intensified this strategy including sponsoring what was called black on black violence. You will surely recall that those assassins would even go to an extent of painting themselves black at night.  All these were meant to suppress the divergent views from political opponents. That strategy failed as politics emerged victorious.

The difference with the incident last week, is that the security forces were disguised as parliamentary chefs, one thought they would bring us water which was needed in the house at the time. Alas it turned out to be trained and armed men deployed to defuse engagement on a political matter. Having been drilled and dressed in parliamentary clothing, their only mission, OPERATION EJECT ALL, was to be executed willy-nilly. Both the Speaker and the Commander in Chief of our Security Forces, the President, owes the nation an explanation.  

Regardless of their explanation, the most credible way to get to the bottom of this incident, and avoid the invited visit by the apartheid tactics, is the appointment of a Judicial Commission of Inquiry. 

Madam Speaker and Honourable members of this House; truth be told, the scandals associated with the President have replaced the role of this house and divided the nation in the middle. It is no longer about citizens of this country.

The President has presided over the vicious attacks on the Institutions of our Democracy. Confidence in our judicial system is under pressure due to many cases involving him in our courts. In the process investor confidence is diminishing with the lowest ever economic growth rate.

Unfortunately, the citizens do not vote for a President in this country. However, we cannot continue in this way, it is time to say South Africa first. As we previously advised, the ruling party must really consider relieving the nation from this traumatic state of affairs. Due to his record and dismally failure to account on the state monies used in his private property, we call on his party to take him back and give the nation a breather.

I thank you

Issued by the UDM, February 17 2015

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