The defection of senior United Democratic Movement official Kingsley Masemola to the African National Congress was prompted by financial considerations, his former political masters said on Monday.
UDM leader Bantu Holomisa and party secretary general Malizole Diko said Masemola, former UDM Limpopo and national chairperson, was still to account for several questionable cheques that he had signed.
They said the party’s national executive committee resolved on January 31 that the financial affairs of the provincial structure should be investigated.
Masemola announced his defection earlier on Monday at an ANC press briefing in Johannesburg.
He told reporters that the policies of the UDM were not different from those of the ANC, and the difference lay in how they were carried out.
“Having noticed this I asked myself why the need to oppose the ANC. Furthermore, I was uncomfortable with the UDM’s top-to-bottom leadership approach,” he said.
Diko said since 1999 the UDM’s public representatives had been expected to make a contribution towards the party, but while many public representatives had been diligent in this regard, Masemola had never contributed.
“Recently the national executive decided that no current public representative’s nomination as a candidate would be accepted unless all outstanding contributions were paid,” Diko said.
He said Masemola had been asked on several occasions to explain his strange relationship with the ANC, but denied this or avoided the question.
“Perhaps these three factors played a role in Masemola’s decision. The UDM is committed to ethical governance and administration, and we hold all members to that standard irrespective of their position or status.”
He said he wished to reiterate that the UDM was continuing to draw rank and file members from the ANC.
“For instance, on Saturday [Holomisa] will be receiving 100 ANC branch members in Port Elizabeth and welcoming them to the party.
“We are convinced that the movement of these people at grassroots level reflect the true reality of the political landscape.”
He said this indicated a conviction on the part of the people, and not because they were offered positions or other perks.
“The ANC may be able to entice one or two people with promises, which ironically for most previous defectors have not been fulfilled.” — Sapa
UDM chairperson joins ANC