Thomas Abrahams (born 18 April 1946) is a retired South African politician who served in the National Assembly from 1999 to 2004. He was the national treasurer of the United Democratic Movement (UDM) until 1 April 2003, when he crossed the floor to the African National Congress (ANC).
Tommy Abrahams | |
|---|---|
| Member of the National Assembly | |
| In office June 1999 – April 2004 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Thomas Abrahams 18 April 1946 |
| Citizenship | South Africa |
| Political party | African National Congress (since 2003) |
| Other political affiliations | United Democratic Movement (until 2003) |
Life and career edit
Abrahams was born on 18 April 1946.[1] He gained election to the National Assembly in the 1999 general election, listed on the UDM's national party list.[1] At an early stage of the legislative term, he acted as the UDM's chief whip while the incumbent, Sipo Mzimela, took lengthy sick leave.[2][3] In mid-2001, when Mzimela was suspended from the UDF, he told the press that Abrahams, while acting as chief whip, had been complicit in mismanagement of the party's constituency and parliamentary funds.[3][4] The UDM denied the allegation and said that Mzimela held a grudge against the party because of his suspension.[3]
In March 2003, by which time Abrahams was the national treasurer of the UDM, the Mail & Guardian reported that Abrahams was one of several UDM members who was unhappy in the party.[5] Shortly afterwards, during the floor-crossing window of April 2003, Abrahams and five other MPs resigned from the UDM and joined the governing ANC.[6][7] He served the rest of his term under the ANC banner and left Parliament after the 2004 general election.
References edit
- ^ a b "General Notice: Notice 1319 of 1999 – Electoral Commission: Representatives Elected to the Various Legislatures" (PDF). Government Gazette of South Africa. Vol. 408, no. 20203. Pretoria, South Africa: Government of South Africa. 11 June 1999. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
- ^ "Party whip red-faced after blue joke flops". IOL. 1 November 2000. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
- ^ a b c "Mzimela defies UDM leadership". News24. 20 June 2001. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
- ^ "Mzimela fights back". News24. 1 July 2001. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
- ^ "Bantu's party fades to grey". The Mail & Guardian. 16 March 2003. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
- ^ "UDM takes a pounding from floor crossing". IOL. 2 April 2003. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
- ^ "Six more UDM MPs defect". News24. 1 April 2003. Retrieved 9 May 2023.