/ 3 March 2009

Holomisa: SA is becoming a banana republic

South Africa is becoming a banana republic under the ''new clique'' in the ANC, United Democratic Movement leader Bantu Holomisa said on Tuesday.

South Africa is becoming a banana republic under the ”new clique” in the African National Congress (ANC), United Democratic Movement (UDM) leader Bantu Holomisa said on Tuesday.

Holomisa, speaking at a UDM election rally in Zimbane village outside Mthatha, said it was easy to see how the ANC would operate if it came to power.

”They are rushing laws through Parliament, undermining democratic institutions and releasing criminals convicted of serious crimes simply because they are aligned to the ruling clique,” Holomisa said in a speech released to Sapa.

”This gives us an idea of where we are heading if this clique comes into power. We’re heading one way and that’s a banana republic. The voters must stop this one-party dominance. It only breeds arrogance.”

Holomisa promised to return the city of Mthatha to its former glory, saying it had been badly neglected by the current ANC-run municipality.

”We would have thought that your proximity to the city would have given the ANC an opportunity to showcase its municipal system. Alas, when we look about Zimbane and these other areas we witness squalor not development.”

The UDM, he said, would create opportunities for the growth of small businesses if it came to power.

”In Mthatha job creation has for years been through small businesses. This is a model that we must learn from.

”We would start by removing the bureaucratic red tape and unnecessary hurdles. We will provide financial and logistical assistance to new entrepreneurs and specifically provide help for those who want to do business in certain industries, such as textiles.” — Sapa