DA loses bid on Ramaphosa's May 26 pre-election speech

JOHANNESBURG - The Electoral Court has dismissed the Democratic Alliance (DA)'s application that President Cyril Ramaphosa’s pre-election speech was an abuse of State resources for political gain.

On 26 May, a day before the beginning of special voting, Ramaphosa gave an address to the nation which was carried on the public broadcaster and several official government accounts. 

READ: DA takes Ramaphosa to court for refusing to concede pre-election address was campaign speech

The DA deemed Ramaphosa's address equivalent to an election speech for the African National Congress, violating several sections of the Electoral Act. 

However, in a ruling handed down on Monday the Electoral Court has found the speech and Ramaphosa's actions to be above board. 

THE ADDRESS DIDN’T ‘INFLUENCE A SINGLE VOTER’ – ELECTORAL COURT

Ramaphosa’s address touched on the security cluster’s readiness to ensure safe and free elections.

He also spoke on the previous administration’s successes, including signing the National Health Insurance Bill into law.

The Electoral Court explained the speech was in line with Ramaphosa’s duties as State president to update the country on important events.

According to the court, there is no evidence to support the DA’s claim the address was a campaign speech for Ramaphosa’s party, the ANC.