FRUITFUL MEETING OF OPPOSITION PARTY LEADERS MEDIA STATEMENT, ISSUED BY UDM LEADER, BANTU HOLOMISA, MP, ON BEHALF OF PARTY LEADERS, AUGUST 26 2009

Leaders and representatives from the opposition political parties (DA, COPE, IFP, ID, UDM, FF+, ACDP and UCDP) in Parliament met this morning.

We had a fruitful meeting and discussed various issues of mutual interest and concern.

As a result, we have resolved to establish a small committee to develop and draft a framework for our future cooperation, flowing from previous discussions on issues of mutual interest in the Multi-party Forum. This committee will also include the Whips of the various parties to develop proposals on how we can cooperate on issues inside Parliament.

It is our common goal to ensure that multi-party democracy is strengthened and the threat of one-party dominance is averted. In that spirit, we have agreed to continue meeting on a regular basis to ensure that the question of cooperation that have been referred to the abovementioned committee will be seriously considered.

We also had the opportunity to discuss the upcoming meeting between ourselves and President Zuma. Without limiting the forthcoming discussion, we have agreed that we share the following concerns, which today was suggested in writing to the President's office for inclusion in the agenda

a.) The appointment of the Chief Justice;

b.) The need to release the Donen Report;

c.) Service delivery protests;

d.) Constitutional/democratic concerns regarding: Party funding, the level of the IEC's independence, the Media (especially the SABC), and creating an enabling environment for participatory democracy.

Source: United Democratic Movement

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