Where the facts about the UDM come from

The UDM is on the IEC list in 28 councils. Half of them are in the Eastern Cape. They include 6 of the 8 metros, all except Mangaung and eThekwini.

Look after water systems, roads, drains and street lights, and reduce leaks. Enforce zero tolerance for corruption, with consequences for wrongdoing. Set realistic, funded budgets and spend budgets and grants on time. Support small firms, cooperatives and informal traders.

Water: The UDM promises that UDM-led councils would keep water systems in good working order, and find leaks and cut them. For basic services in general, it says councils would fix and protect what already exists before starting expensive new projects. Leak detection means finding where water escapes from pipes. In its own words: “Water and sanitation infrastructure maintenance, as well as leak detection and reduction.”

Electricity and power cuts: The UDM promises power that people can rely on. It also promises to keep council power networks safe. In its own words: “Reliable electricity distribution and protection of municipal grids.”

Rubbish: The UDM promises that UDM-led councils would take away refuse, which is household rubbish, on a regular basis and keep communities clean. For services in general, it also lists clear delivery schedules and regular reports to communities. In its own words: “Regular refuse removal and clean communities.”

Toilets and sewage: The UDM promises that UDM-led councils would keep toilet and sewer systems in working order. For services in general, it also lists proper asset management, which means keeping track of what the council owns, and planning repairs before things break. A sewer is an underground pipe that carries waste away. In its own words: “Water and sanitation infrastructure maintenance”

Roads: The UDM promises that UDM-led councils would maintain council roads, the drains that carry rain water away, and street lights. In another part of its manifesto, it also lists regular clearing of stormwater drains and waterways to reduce flood risks. In its own words: “Maintenance of municipal roads, stormwater systems, and street lighting.”

Building houses: The UDM promises to release well-located land for housing where possible. It also promises that houses will be given out fairly and without corruption. In its own words: “Release of well-located land for integrated human settlements where possible.”

Informal settlements: The UDM promises that UDM-led councils would upgrade informal settlements, giving them basic services and dignity. An informal settlement is an area of homes built without official approval. The UDM also says housing should be planned close to jobs, schools, transport and clinics. In its own words: “Upgrading of informal settlements with basic services and dignity.”

Title deeds: The UDM promises tenure security and ownership where the law and practical limits allow. Tenure security means that a person's right to keep living on their land or in their home is protected. In its own words: “Tenure security and ownership where legally and practically possible.”

Crime: The UDM promises better street lighting in high-risk areas, and more CCTV cameras where practical. It says broken streetlights and unsafe public spaces help crime and disorder grow. CCTV means cameras that record an area. In its own words: “Better street lighting in high-risk areas.”

Metro police: The UDM promises to improve what council police can do, in the places where this applies. It says the South African Police Service has the main policing job, but UDM-led councils would use every lawful power to make communities safer. It also lists fair, consistent enforcement of by-laws, which are rules made by a council. In its own words: “Improved municipal policing capacity where applicable.”

Local jobs: The UDM promises 'green battalions' to fight soil erosion in rural areas and create local jobs. It also promises skills training linked to council projects. In its own words: “Green battalions to combat rural soil erosion, protect land and create local jobs.”

Business and growth: The UDM promises to support small firms and cooperatives. It also promises to support informal traders. And it promises that local buying will favour South African-owned firms. In its own words: “Support for small businesses, cooperatives, and informal traders.”

Corruption: The UDM promises zero tolerance for corruption. It also promises consequences for poor work, corruption and wrongdoing with money. In its own words: “UDM-led municipalities will enforce zero tolerance for corruption, maladministration, abuse of public funds, and political interference in administration.”

Audit results: The UDM promises that UDM-led councils would act on what the Auditor-General finds. The Auditor-General is the state office that checks council accounts and reports its findings. The UDM also lists consequence management, which means action against poor performance, corruption and money misconduct. In its own words: “Action on Auditor-General findings.”

Wasteful spending: The UDM promises that UDM-led councils would cut down on wasted money and on irregular procurement. Irregular procurement means the council buying goods or services without following the rules. The UDM also says money budgeted for water, roads or other services must be used for that purpose. In its own words: “Reduction of wasteful expenditure and irregular procurement.”

Coalitions: The UDM promises that any coalition deal it joins will be written down and made public. It also says it will stop backing partners who harm the services people get. In its own words: “The UDM will insist that coalition agreements must be: 1. Written. 2. Publicly disclosed.”

Budgets: The UDM promises realistic budgets that the council has the money for, linked to the services it puts first. It also promises to spend budgets and grants on time. In its own words: “Realistic and funded budgets aligned with service delivery priorities.”

Nelson Mandela Bay: Has seats, but is not in the group that runs the council. After the 2021 election the UDM joined the ANC-led coalition. From September 2022 it was in the DA-led coalition. It stayed with the DA when the council voted out DA mayor Retief Odendaal on 26 May 2023. The UDM now has one seat. It is not a member of the coalition led by the ANC. But Daily Maverick said in July 2026 that the coalition has "additional voting support" from the UDM. UDM councillor Luxolo Namette chairs the Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC). This committee checks how the council uses public money.

Buffalo City: In opposition. The ANC won 61 of 100 seats in 2021. The UDM holds one PR seat and no ward seats. A PR seat goes to a party to match its share of the votes, not for winning a ward. For 2026 the UDM has named its deputy president, Nqabayomzi Kwankwa, as its candidate for Buffalo City mayor.

City of Cape Town: In opposition. In 2021 the DA won 135 of 231 seats, which is more than half. The UDM won 1 seat.

City of Johannesburg: Our sources do not make this clear. The UDM won 1 seat in 2021. EWN reported that in July 2025 its councillor Yongama Zigebe stood for speaker and got 5 votes. The speaker runs council meetings. EWN reported that the winner, Margaret Arnolds, was backed by the coalition led by the ANC and got 137 votes. We found no source that says clearly whether the UDM is in the coalition or in opposition.

City of Ekurhuleni: Our sources do not make this clear. The UDM won 1 seat in 2021. We found no source from 2025-2026 on its role.

City of Tshwane: Has no seats there. The UDM won no seats in 2021.

eThekwini: Has no seats there. The UDM won no seats in 2021. It does not appear in the IEC seat report.

Mangaung: Has no seats there. The UDM won no seats in 2021. It does not appear in the IEC seat report.

We found no source showing a UDM mayor, deputy mayor, speaker or mayoral committee member in any council in 2025-2026. The speaker runs council meetings, and mayoral committee members are the mayor's team.

The UDM's largest group of councillors is in King Sabata Dalindyebo (KSD). It won 11 of 73 seats there in 2021, and the ANC holds 48. The UDM sits in opposition there, with Raymond Knock as UDM whip. The whip organises the party's councillors in the council. In July 2026 the UDM nominated Bongani Ndlobongela for KSD mayor, but he turned it down. In September 2026 the party named Mlimandlela Ndamase as its candidate for KSD mayor in the election.

The UDM told the IEC about no donations above the disclosure limit, from July 2025 to June 2026. Checked 20 October 2026.

Before this, it last declared R2 250 000 in January to March 2024 (4 donations).

Gifts over R100 000 from one donor, named in the reports: None shown. Smaller gifts, R100 000 or less from one donor (names not published): R254 950. Membership fees and levies: R797 325. From the Political Representatives Fund: R7 649 804. From Parliament and provincial legislatures: R10 041 966.

Nqabayomzi Kwankwa, the UDM deputy president, said this in a party statement. He says Israeli forces held six South Africans who sailed to Gaza with aid, and Israel must answer for how they were treated. The UDM backs South Africa's case at the International Court of Justice, the top UN court. In that case South Africa says Israel broke the world treaty against genocide. The UDM wants South Africa to keep leading this court process. In its own words: “The UDM reaffirms that peace in the Middle East will only be achieved through justice and respect for human rights.”

Bantu Holomisa, the UDM president, said this when he met the US ambassador, Leo Brent Bozell III. He said ties between the two countries were under strain. He spoke of claims of genocide and land grabs in South Africa, and said the ambassador could check them himself. He reminded him that the US supported South Africa's struggle for freedom. He suggested a joint body where both governments meet to solve problems. In its own words: “It is therefore our sincere wish that these relations continue to be strengthened.”

Bantu Holomisa, the UDM president, said this before President Ramaphosa visited the United States. He says tension grew over claims of genocide and land taken without payment, which he says lack proof. He wants the two governments to bring back a Binational Commission, a joint body where they work together. It would cover the economy, security, education and the environment. He says an earlier one helped build trade. In its own words: “we call for the resumption of a Binational Commission on the same scale and structure as the historic Al Gore/Thabo Mbeki Binational Commission.”

EWN, a news outlet, reported that the United States captured Venezuela's president, Nicolás Maduro. South Africa's government asked the UN to act. The UDM's deputy president, Nqabayomzi Kwankwa, said every country's right to rule itself should always be defended. He faulted the ANC for ignoring Maduro's human rights record, but said it did not make his removal by the US right. The report does not say what the UDM wants the government to do.

Nqabayomzi Kwankwa, a UDM MP, said this when Parliament voted on the foreign affairs budget. BRICS is a group of countries including Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Kwankwa says ties with BRICS should bring real trade, building projects and business chances, not just shared ideas. He says South Africa should not let the US push it around over Russia and China. He wants the government to speak with one voice. In its own words: “If Brics is to mean anything to us, we must stop acting like junior members in an ideological fan club.”

Parliament voted on asking the government to close Israel's embassy and cut ties until a ceasefire. The motion passed, 248 votes to 91. The UDM had MPs in Parliament then, but the count lists no UDM MP on either side. The record does not say why. In its own words: “AYES – 248: (ANC – 200; EFF – 43; ATM – 2; NFP – 1; PAC – 1; Al’Jama-ah – 1). NOES – 91: (DA – 67; IFP – 11; FF Plus – 9; ACDP – 4).”

On the day of that vote, UDM MP Nqabayomzi Kwankwa spoke in Parliament about World Children's Day. He said Israel's war had turned Gaza into "a graveyard for children". In its own words: “Unfortunately, it comes during a year where Israel’s war on Gaza has turned Gaza into a graveyard for children with the death toll of at least 5 500 children since 07 October.”

SABC News reported that UDM leader Bantu Holomisa praised the government. This came after the ICJ, the UN's top court, gave its first order in South Africa's case against Israel. In its own words: “United Democratic Movement (UDM) leader, Bantu Holomisa has commended the South African government following yesterday’s decision by the International Court of Justice.”

Nqabayomzi Kwankwa, a UDM MP, spoke in Parliament on a bill that moved money to pay for the ICJ case against Israel. He said the UDM backed it because South Africa is fighting for Palestinians' freedom. The bill also held money for other things. In its own words: “we stand here in support of the Special Appropriations Adjustment. Why? Simply because we believe in the just course where South Africa is actually fighting for the freedom of the people of Palestine.”

South Africa chose not to vote either way on a UN resolution against the attack on Ukraine. Daily Maverick reported that UDM chief whip Nqabayomzi Kwankwa said South Africa had failed to act. In its own words: “IFP MP Mkhuleko Hlengwa and UDM Chief Whip Nqabayomzi Kwankwa, however, said South Africa had failed to act.”

Kwankwa spoke when Parliament voted on the foreign affairs budget. He said South Africa must not let the US government bully it. He called that government "erratic and imperialistic". In its own words: “we should not be deterred or allow ourselves to be bullied by the erratic and imperialistic US government.”

International Panel of Parliamentarians for Freedom of Religion or Belief (IPPFoRB) (Norway). IPPFoRB is a worldwide group of MPs who work for everyone's freedom to follow any religion or belief. It says it was founded in Oslo, Norway, in 2014. Since 2025 the Stefanus Alliance, a Norwegian mission and human rights group, has hosted it. It shows no list of funders. Its history page says Fritt Ord, a Norwegian foundation, supported it in 2015. So a Norway-based group of MPs paid for trips by the UDM's deputy president, Nqabayomzi Kwankwa, to London in 2022 and Brazil in 2026. He is also one of its leaders, as its vice chair. His 2026 register also names "Afripahr" as the payer of a trip to a human rights conference in Mozambique. This appears to be AfriPAHR, an African MPs' human rights group. A Ghana centre says it gives AfriPAHR office support, working with IPPFoRB in Norway.

Holomisa, Major General Bantubonke Harrington. Name of Sponsor: IDEAS - United Kingdom | Description of Journey: IDEAS - United Kingdom - Defence Expo | Purpose of Travel: Defence Expo - Assignment by Hon Minister

Kwankwa, Mr. Nqabayomzi Lawrence Saziso. Name of Sponsor: IPPFORB Oxford Academy | Description of Journey: Flight tickets and accommodation for conference in London 19 - 22 September 2022.

Kwankwa, Mr. Nqabayomzi Lawrence Saziso. Name of Sponsor: IPPFORB Oxford Academy | Description of Journey: Flight tickets and accommodation for conference in London 19 - 22 September 2022.

Holomisa, Major General Bantubonke Harrington. Source of Sponsorship: India Aerospace | Description and Purpose of the Sponsorship: Flight tickets, accommodation to the India Aerospace Conference | Duration of Sponsorship: 4 days

Holomisa, Major General Bantubonke Harrington. Source of Sponsorship: India Aerospace | Description and Purpose of the Sponsorship: Flight tickets, accommodation to the India Aerospace Conference | Duration of Sponsorship: 4 days

Holomisa, Major General Bantubonke Harrington. Source of Sponsorship: Pakistan Aerospace Conference | Description and Purpose of the Sponsorship: Flight tickets, accommodation to the Pakistani Aerospace Conference | Duration of Sponsorship: 4 days

Holomisa, Major General Bantubonke Harrington. Source of Sponsorship: Pakistan Aerospace Conference | Description and Purpose of the Sponsorship: Flight tickets, accommodation to the Pakistani Aerospace Conference | Duration of Sponsorship: 4 days

Holomisa, Major General Bantubonke Harrington. Description: Swedish Bowl | Value: Unknown | Source: Swedish AAD Delegation

Holomisa, Major General Bantubonke Harrington. Description: Swedish Bowl | Value: Unknown | Source: Swedish AAD Delegation

Holomisa, Major General Bantubonke Harrington. Description: Diary, keyring, cardholder, pen 2 sets | Value: Unknown | Source: Turkish Aerospace

Holomisa, Major General Bantubonke Harrington. Description: Diary, keyring, cardholder, pen 2 sets | Value: Unknown | Source: Turkish Aerospace

Holomisa, Major General Bantubonke Harrington. Name of Sponsor: Department of Defence | Description of Journey: Botswana - South Africa BiNational Commission | Purpose of Travel: Botswana - South Africa BiNational Commission

Kwankwa, Mr. Nqabayomzi Lawrence Saziso. Name of Sponsor: IPPforb | Description of Journey: Travel to Brazil in April 2026 | Purpose of Travel: Human Rights conference

Holomisa, Major General Bantubonke Harrington. Name of Sponsor: Department of Defence | Description of Journey: Malaysian Defence Expo | Purpose of Travel: Malaysian Defence Expo

Kwankwa, Mr. Nqabayomzi Lawrence Saziso. Name of Sponsor: Afripahr | Description of Journey: Travel to Mozambique in March 2026 | Purpose of Travel: Human Rights Conference

Holomisa, Major General Bantubonke Harrington. Description: Gold Plate | Value: Unknown | Source: Bharat Dynamics

Holomisa, Major General Bantubonke Harrington. Description: Submarine model, ship model, Aeroplane model | Value: Unknown | Source: STM

Holomisa, Major General Bantubonke Harrington. Description: Traditional Chinese Bowls | Value: Unknown | Source: China Ship Building

Holomisa, Major General Bantubonke Harrington. Description: Gold Plate | Value: Unknown | Source: Bharat Dynamics

Holomisa, Major General Bantubonke Harrington. Description: Traditional Chinese Bowls | Value: Unknown | Source: China Ship Building

Holomisa, Major General Bantubonke Harrington. Description: Submarine model, ship model, Aeroplane model | Value: Unknown | Source: STM