DA trying to stop Ramaphosa from exercising his duties, his legal team tells court

JOHANNESBURG - President Cyril Ramaphosa’s legal representatives have accused the Democratic Alliance (DA) of trying to stop him from exercising his duties as head of state.

The DA accused Ramaphosa of leveraging his position as president to unduly influence the recent elections in favour of his party, the African National Congress (ANC).

This relates to a speech Ramaphosa made on the eve of special voting, which was broadcast on the SABC and official government social media accounts.

However, the Presidency has denied this, saying the speech was to assure the nation it was safe to go out and vote.

Arguing at the Electoral Court on Thursday, Ramaphosa’s representative, Ngwako Menetje, said the DA had misconstrued political speech to political campaigning.

"Because the president gives political speeches probably, exercising his office, more than 99% of the time. He talks about power, what the government is doing for us, which is contested, these are all political stuff. That’s what politicians do."