Holomisa ejects founder UDM member

UDM founding member and former provincial secretary Wandile Tsipa was unceremoniously kicked out of a leadership meeting in Mthatha by party leader Bantu Holomisa yesterday.

Holomisa accused Tsipa of forming another party using UDM resources.

UDM provincial spokesman Mabandla Gogo said the UDM had been told that Tsipa had registered a party called African Change Academy [ACA], with colours similar to those of the ANC.

Gogo said it was disappointing that Tsipa had built another party while he was still in the UDM.

“Mr Tsipa cheated on the UDM, used UDM equipment including phones, computer, fax machines and e-mails to build and register another political party at our expense,” said Gogo.

He said further investigations and disciplinary action would be taken by the UDM’s national executive committee on Tsipa but he could not say when such processes would be launched.

Gogo said the party’s caucus in the KSD council would sit and decide on Tsipa’s fate as the party’s leader in the council.

“The same questions arose at the meeting with the president, but the meeting said that it was leaving that to the caucus to handle. What we can say is that we will sit soon and decide,” said Gogo.

Tsipa declined to comment on the accusations but confirmed he had been kicked out of the meeting on Sunday.

“Comment is reserved, but watch this space,” is all he would say. —