Johannesburg - The UDM’s Nelson Mandela Bay ward candidates have received a stern warning from party leader Bantu Holomisa not to sit and “fold their arms” in the council chamber if they are voted in.
Holomisa was campaigning in the hotly contested Nelson Mandela Bay Metro on Friday with his party’s provincial chairman and mayoral candidate, Mongameli Bobani, and ward 18 candidate Ntombizodwa Ngqambuza.
Ngqambuza is a popular candidate for the UDM, which she joined recently from the ANC. She had been a ANC branch secretary for about 10 years.
As Holomisa, his motorcade and throngs of supporters criss-crossed the townships, residents spoke of how Ngqambuza had served the ANC tirelessly.
Holomisa commended Ngqambuza for “bulldozing” the ANC in ward 18.
He called on party candidates to know how much money their wards were allocated and to communicate this information to residents.
The UDM also paraded other former ANC members who had joined it.
Ward 22 resident Neliwe Ntuli said she had left the ANC for the UDM because she was unhappy with its candidate list process.
“My son was elected as the ward candidate, but somehow his name was removed,” she said.
The UDM’s ward 22 candidate, Noncedo Hlutywa, said the party had worked to try to capture the seat from the ANC.
“Now it’s all UDM here.”
Issues relating to unemployment, drugs and crime would be addressed head-on if she was voted in, Hlutywa said.
Holomisa told the candidates not to make the mistakes the ANC had. They should champion the delivery of basic services, including housing and water infrastructure.
“When you are in the municipality, don’t fold your arms. Make sure the budget is not mostly spent in opulent suburbs.
“Change that and prioritise informal settlements and townships. Make sure there is a budget for these areas,” said Holomisa.
He explained to residents and candidates that housing and water were among the competencies of the national government.
The national, provincial and local governments had different responsibilities, he said.
He criticised the ANC government, saying it made empty promises.
“ANC ixoke kakhulu (The ANC has lied a lot).”
South Africa was a multiparty democracy, so if those in power did not honour their promises, “you have the right to vote them out”.
Holomisa, who was the deputy president of environmental affairs and tourism in Nelson Mandela’s cabinet, said President Jacob Zuma was a thief.
He called on UDM supporters to demand a review of the electoral system.
“You must demand to elect your own president,” said Holomisa.
He criticised Zuma for knowingly spending millions in public money on controversial improvements to his Nkandla homestead, on vehicles for his wives, and on his court battles.
“They removed Thabo Mbeki [as president] for no apparent reason and replaced him with a thief.”
SATURDAY STAR