UDM manifesto summary

United Democratic Movement · 2026 local government elections

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AI-written summary of the party’s own manifesto. Each point links to its page.

Housing development will be planned with national and provincial departments, focusing on locations near jobs, schools, transport, clinics, and infrastructure. p.9
Informal settlements will be upgraded with basic services to ensure dignity for residents. p.9
UDM-led municipalities will prioritise fair, transparent, and corruption-free housing allocation. p.9
Tenure security and ownership will be promoted where legally and practically possible. p.9
There will be action against building hijacking, illegal occupation, and unlawful exploitation of residential buildings. p.9

Prioritise water and sanitation infrastructure maintenance, including leak detection and reduction. p.5
Focus on reliable basic services like water, sanitation, and refuse removal as a constitutional right. p.5
Commit to clean water, functioning sanitation, and regular refuse removal in municipalities. p.12
Ensure proactive maintenance of reliable water, sanitation, roads, electricity, and refuse services. p.16
Regularly report to communities on service delivery performance and maintenance efforts. p.5

Commit to reliable electricity distribution and protection of municipal grids. p.5
Aim for reliable basic services, including electricity, with proactive maintenance. p.16
Support fair and transparent tariffs for electricity and protect vulnerable households from disconnections. p.16

Improved public transport planning and traffic management will be prioritised. p.10
Better traffic management and road safety enforcement will be implemented. p.10
Better planning for housing, transport, schools, clinics, and open spaces will be pursued. p.9

Regular refuse removal will be prioritised to ensure clean communities. p.5 p.12
Municipalities will focus on reliable refuse services as a basic constitutional right. p.5 p.10
UDM-led municipalities will conduct environmental health inspections and enforce food safety. p.12
There will be proactive maintenance of refuse services to ensure reliability. p.16

Prioritise stronger, fair, and consistent by-law enforcement to improve community safety. p.10
Support community policing forums and neighbourhood safety initiatives. p.10
Improve municipal policing capacity where applicable. p.10
Expand closed-circuit television (CCTV) coverage where practical. p.10
Enhance street lighting in high-risk areas. p.10

Promote local investment and partnerships to create jobs and support South African-owned enterprises. p.8
Support practical internet access points in municipal facilities to aid job-seeking and enterprise development. p.5 p.8
Focus on youth employment initiatives and reducing red tape for entrepreneurship. p.8
Support small businesses and informal traders with fair rules and safe trading spaces. p.8
Implement local economic initiatives to help rural communities create income and retain skills. p.10

Improved revenue collection while protecting indigent households. p.6
Fair tariffs, rates, and levies will consider local economic conditions and actual services provided. p.7
Stronger billing systems, data integrity, and financial controls will be implemented. p.6
Regular correction of inaccurate municipal accounts will be conducted. p.7
Revenue collection will be linked to improved service reliability. p.7

Municipalities will enforce zero tolerance for corruption, maladministration, and abuse of public funds, ensuring accountability and consequence management for poor performance. p.6
Councillors must exercise oversight and not interfere in procurement or administrative processes to maintain ethical governance. p.5
Public money will be protected, and appointments will be based on merit, with actions taken on audit findings and protection for whistle-blowers. p.4
The UDM commits to regular monitoring of municipal debt and service delivery risks, ensuring funds are used for their intended purposes. p.6
Constructive governance will include accountability and oversight, demanding that all levels of government serve community interests effectively. p.15

Plans to upgrade informal settlements with basic services and dignity. p.9
Will support informal traders with dignity and protect small businesses in informal settlements and townships. p.8
Aims to revitalise informal settlements and rural economies. p.8

Protect indigent households through credible indigent registers and support for those who cannot afford basic services. p.7 p.12
Ensure fair and transparent revenue collection while protecting indigent households from unfair exclusion. p.6 p.7
Commit to fair tariffs and no disconnections for vulnerable households. p.16
Local government must act on complaints and enforce rules to protect indigent households. p.4
Prioritise clean water, sanitation, and refuse removal for indigent households and communities facing poor living conditions. p.12

Prioritise stronger, fair, and consistent by-law enforcement to improve community safety and livability. p.10
Enforce building-control, fire-safety, health, zoning, and occupancy rules to protect residents and the public. p.10
Commit to maintaining infrastructure and enforcing by-laws fairly to ensure reliable basic services. p.3 p.15
Support local development and involve communities in governance to enhance accountability and oversight. p.3 p.15
Ensure safe, clean, and maintained public areas as part of creating liveable communities. p.10

Practical internet access points will be provided at libraries, community halls, and other municipal facilities in disadvantaged areas. p.5
Libraries, community halls, sports fields, and recreational spaces will be maintained. p.12
Community programmes will promote dignity, social cohesion, and nation building through sports fields, libraries, community halls, parks, and cultural programmes. p.12
Safe and accessible sports and recreation facilities will be ensured. p.12