United Democratic Movement (UDM) leader Bantu Holomisa has announced his full support of today’s anti-corruption march.
The march, organised by the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa), is expected to attract thousands of supporters, as the EFF last week also announced its support.
Holomisa – the latest in a number of civic organisations, political parties and influential individuals to throw their weight behind the initiative – called on everyone, UDM supporters or not, to join the march to the Union Buildings and Parliament in Cape Town today, a march in which tens of thousands are expected.
Holomisa said the march, dubbed Unite Against Corruption, was consistent with the UDM’s position on graft. “Corruption undermines and destroys the liberties enshrined in the country’s constitution, for which many paid the supreme price. This country can never succeed in eradicating poverty, creating employment and reducing inequality if corruption is allowed to be the order of the day.
“The gains of our freedom and rights of our citizens are undermined,” Holomisa said.
He cited a case in the US in which the ANC was alleged to have benefited from a business deal between Hitachi and the party’s investment company, Chancellor House.
Hitachi, which won multibillion-rand tenders at the Medupi and Kusile power stations, paid about R120-million – though without admitting wrongdoing – to settle charges by the US Securities and Exchange Commission of improper payments to the ruling party.
“If the ANC is serious about clear and corrupt-free governance, it must simply pay back the money it benefited through corrupt activities,” Holomisa said. “South Africans should not allow the ruling party’s extortions of money from companies doing business with its government.”
Addressing a press conference in Gauteng on Monday, Numsa general-secretary Irvin Jim anticipated the march would be a “huge success”.
This is despite the fact the marchers would not be protected from being suspended or fired if they participate. The National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) said it would only grant the workers the right to take part in protected mass action from October 8.
Well-known personalities such as Zakes Mda, Mark Gevisser, Gcina Mhlophe and Pieter-Dirk Uys have also declared support for the march.
Holomisa said: “We shall be part of the masses of the people of this country who commit to fight against the looting of the poor by both those who control the public office and the private sector. As the UDM, we have a clear record of fighting corruption and we shall not be stopped.”
Holomisa adds support to two mass anti-graft marches today
The march, organised by the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa), is expected to attract thousands of supporters, as the EFF last week also announced its support.
Holomisa – the latest in a number of civic organisations, political parties and influential individuals to throw their weight behind the initiative – called on everyone, UDM supporters or not, to join the march to the Union Buildings and Parliament in Cape Town today, a march in which tens of thousands are expected.
Holomisa said the march, dubbed Unite Against Corruption, was consistent with the UDM’s position on graft. “Corruption undermines and destroys the liberties enshrined in the country’s constitution, for which many paid the supreme price. This country can never succeed in eradicating poverty, creating employment and reducing inequality if corruption is allowed to be the order of the day.
“The gains of our freedom and rights of our citizens are undermined,” Holomisa said.
He cited a case in the US in which the ANC was alleged to have benefited from a business deal between Hitachi and the party’s investment company, Chancellor House.
Hitachi, which won multibillion-rand tenders at the Medupi and Kusile power stations, paid about R120-million – though without admitting wrongdoing – to settle charges by the US Securities and Exchange Commission of improper payments to the ruling party.
“If the ANC is serious about clear and corrupt-free governance, it must simply pay back the money it benefited through corrupt activities,” Holomisa said. “South Africans should not allow the ruling party’s extortions of money from companies doing business with its government.”
Addressing a press conference in Gauteng on Monday, Numsa general-secretary Irvin Jim anticipated the march would be a “huge success”.
This is despite the fact the marchers would not be protected from being suspended or fired if they participate. The National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) said it would only grant the workers the right to take part in protected mass action from October 8.
Well-known personalities such as Zakes Mda, Mark Gevisser, Gcina Mhlophe and Pieter-Dirk Uys have also declared support for the march.
Holomisa said: “We shall be part of the masses of the people of this country who commit to fight against the looting of the poor by both those who control the public office and the private sector. As the UDM, we have a clear record of fighting corruption and we shall not be stopped.”
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