/ 21 February 2009

Holomisa calls for an end to ANC dominance

Now is the time to stop one-party dominance in South Africa, United Democratic Movement president Bantu Holomisa said on Saturday.

Now is the time to stop one-party dominance in South Africa, United Democratic Movement (UDM) president Bantu Holomisa said on Saturday in the heartland of rural KwaZulu-Natal.

”It is because of one-party dominance that the ruling party has grown so arrogant,” he said at an election rally in KwaMagoda, Richmond.

”It is because they believe that they will rule eternally that they no longer think it is necessary to consult with people.”

Hundreds of supporters converged at the venue in the sweltering heat. The crowd, many clad in bright yellow UDM t-shirts, sang and danced as Holomisa entered the sports ground just before noon.

Holomisa, in his keynote address, said that the government was not doing enough to prevent an economic catastrophe.

”Alas, the ruling party is stubborn and slow to listen to reason. We have been saying for years that there are serious shortcomings in [the] economic policy.”

He criticised the African National Congress, saying that service delivery had ground to a halt because of the infighting within the party.

”Membership of the ruling party has become a ticket to employment in government or lucrative business contracts.”

”It doesn’t matter whether you are actually capable of delivering, as long as you are connected to the right people,” said Holomisa.

He said with ”comrades fighting each other”, service delivery had deteriorated. He questioned how the rest of the world saw South Africa, saying the ANC had ”disgraced us”.

”It seems that the struggle has been hijacked by questionable characters, the wrongdoers have become heroes. This has seen the introduction of political thuggery,” said Holomisa.

Holomisa also highlighted the criminal charges facing ANC president Jacob Zuma, saying such a leader contradicted the ethics of good governance.

”We have also seen how a sitting president was removed by a kangaroo court sitting outside government and Parliament … and that same kangaroo court wants to replace him with somebody who has many questions hanging over his head. Indeed, this runs contrary to the ethics of good governance as demanded by the African Union charter.”

He said that trust played a crucial role in the April 22 election.

”Anyone who wishes to stand for president of this country cannot in good conscience take the oath of office before the chief justice, knowing full well that he still faces criminal charges.”

Holomisa, wearing a bright red shirt, also outlined the party’s seven priorities in its election manifesto.

These were employment and the economy, fighting crime, improving education, better healthcare, ending corruption, conserving the environment, and increasing the power of voters with electoral reform.

Holomisa said he was also proud that none of the UDM members were involved in political violence or intimidation in the run-up to the election.

He urged supporters to think carefully when going to the election booth.

”Remember, the power is in your hands to stop the gravy train.” – Sapa