Leadership and Political Views from Bantu Holomisa

Bantu Holomisa, UDM leader and Deputy Minister of Defence & Military Veterans, returned to Cabinet under the Government of National Unity in mid‑2024. In 2025 he publicly criticized military budget cuts, highlighting a sharp drop of R5 billion in defense funding. In April, the Supreme Court of Appeal ruled in his favor on a R2 million defamation case tied to whistleblowing at the PIC. Holomisa, who now holds two parliamentary seats, remains a vocal advocate for defence capability and public accountability.

Holomisa began his political career in the military, rising to command the Transkei Defence Force and serving as Head of State of Transkei from 1987 until re-integration. He joined the ANC in the 1990s but was expelled in 1996 after testifying at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. He co-founded the UDM shortly after and has since positioned it as a watchdog party in Parliament. Holomisa is respected for his anti-corruption record and persistence in defending constitutional institutions.