The African National Congress (ANC) has slammed Helen Zille's application to the Electoral Court calling for President Cyril Ramaphosa to be sanctioned by the court for his election speech of May 26. Picture: ARCHIVES
The ANC has slammed Helen Zille’s application to the Electoral Court calling for President Cyril Ramaphosa to be sanctioned by the court for his election speech on May 26.
In a matter currently before the court, the DA accuses Ramaphosa of having used his position as president to campaign for the ANC, just three days before the elections.
The DA, in its application, wants the court to reduce the ANC votes by 1%, fine the president R200 000 in his personal capacity, fine the ANC R100 000 and declare that he violated the Electoral Act by campaigning through state resources for his party.
On Thursday, the ANC, in a statement, said the DA’s application was “frivolous”, saying Ramaphosa did not use the address to campaign for the ANC.
“The ANC reiterates that the President of the Republic has not only the right but also, the 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 the person holds office of the President of the Republic in accordance with the Constitution of South Africa. In this regard. President Cyril Ramaphosa violated no law by fulfilling his constitutional mandate,” ANC acting spokesperson, Zuko Godlimpi, said.
In his defences in his answering affidavit, Ramaphosa argues the same, saying he did not use the speech to drum up support for the ANC.
Ramaphosa rubbished the claims he had an ulterior motive for his May 26 speech.
“President Cyril Ramaphosa has rubbished claims that his May 26th speech was delivered with an ulterior motive, saying it was aimed at assuring the public about peaceful elections.
“The Democratic Alliance (DA) says Ramaphosa’s speech was a thinly veiled political campaign that violated the Electoral Code of Conduct.”
Arguments for the matter are currently underway at the Electoral Court sitting at the Johannesburg High Court.
A representative for the DA, Advocate Anthony Stein, claimed there were parts of Ramaphosa’s speech that were presidential and others that were political.
In his answering affidavit, Ramaphosa said it was important for him to address the nation ahead of the elections.
Ramaphosa said that his speech was informed by meetings he had with the security cluster, which assured him that measures were in place to ensure the elections were free and fair.
The Star
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