UDM vows to restore Eastern Cape to its former glory should it win the May polls

JOHANNESBURG - United Democratic Movement (UDM) leader Bantu Holomisa has vowed to restore the Eastern Cape by reinstating agricultural projects and re-opening factories in the province.

These are some of the UDM's promises ahead of the May polls, as the party launches its manifesto in Midrand, Gauteng, on Saturday.

Holomisa said the state of the Eastern Cape has deteriorated over the years, despite the province being home to some of the country's celebrated struggle stalwarts.

According to Statistics South Africa, the Eastern Cape has the highest unemployment rate in the country at 41.9%.

But Holomisa is adamant that the UDM will restore the Eastern Cape to its former glory to resolve these issues.

"The people of the region will be economically empowered, to combat this neo-colonialism of a special kind."

He said should the party be elected into power, it will have a zero tolerance policy on corruption.

"Effective procedures and special courts will be established to investigate and prosecute those in the public and private sector involved in corruption."

Meanwhile, the Freedom Front Plus and the Pan Africanist Congress are also launching their manifestos on Saturday.