DA files Electoral Court application to challenge Ramaphosa’s national address

CAPE TOWN - The Democratic Alliance (DA) has filed an application in the Electoral Court challenging President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Sunday night national address.

The opposition party said he violated the Electoral Code of Conduct, and they want him to pay a fine of R200,000.

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DA leader John Steenhuisen said Ramaphosa abused his office by using an address to the nation as a thinly-veiled disguise for a campaign message.

“Ramaphosa’s manipulation was cynical, calculated, and designed to influence the outcome of the election by providing the ANC [African National Congress] with unearned airtime that was not made available to any other party contesting the election.”

The DA is further asking the court to reduce the ANC’s votes by one percentage point, in line with provisions of the Electoral Act.

“Not for the first time, Ramaphosa has chosen his correct political party over South Africa. As the president, he should have known better, and he must now be held to account. This type of abuse cannot be allowed by anyone.”