DA heads to court over Ramaphosa's national address on eve of elections
The DA has taken President Cyril Ramaphosa to the Electoral Court for his national address on the eve of the general election.
On 26 May, President Ramaphosa recapped his administration's achievements in a televised address to the nation.
The address came a night before special voting began and drew the ire of opposition parties, which accused the president of violating the Electoral Code.
DA Federal Council Chairperson Helen Zille said there should be separation between party and state.
"The DA’s contends the president's speech contained content to advance the ANC's prospects in the election. This, the DA argues, was an abuse of a state institution for party political purposes.
"Amongst other things, this violated the Electoral Code of Conduct which the president was bound to uphold.
"Despite efforts to reach a settlement, the case is proceeding, underscoring the DA's commitment to preventing public office bearers misusing state institutions for partisan purposes.”
The ANC has defended the address, saying Ramaphosa had a constitutional obligation to inform the public about matters of "public interest".
"This constitutional duty knows no bounds of time or day and remains in effect for as long as a person holds the office of President of the Republic in accordance with the Constitution of South Africa,” the party said in a statement.
"In this regard, President Cyril Ramaphosa violated no law by fulfilling his constitutional mandate, the ANC firmly believes that the DA's litigation is frivolous and unwarranted.”
The two parties joined forces in the new government of national unity after no party managed to score an outright majority in the election.
ALSO READ:
