DA loses Ramaphosa case

ELECTORAL COURT: NO EVIDENCE PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS ‘INFLUENCED A SINGLE VOTER’ > Speech adhered to 'legal and ethical norms' for state communication.

- Faizel Patel

The DA yesterday lost its legal challenge in the Electoral Court over President Cyril Ramaphosa's "national address" via the SABC on 26 May.

Ramaphosa faced criticism from political parties for allegedly using the SABC to campaign for the ANC in a last pitch to voters before the polls on 29 May.

In his address, Ramaphosa highlighted the "achievements" of the sixth administration, including tackling corruption, the handling of the Covid pandemic, tackling corruption and gender-based violence and reducing load shedding, among other issues.

The DA argued Ramaphosa, who was the ANC's candidate for president in the May polls, violated multiple provisions of the Electoral Act. However, the court yesterday ruled against the DA.