Ramaphosa labels DA’s burning flag election campaign ‘treasonous’

CAPE TOWN - President Cyril Ramaphosa says the manner in which the Democratic Alliance (DA) has used the flag in an election advert is "treasonous", unacceptable and "despicable".

Ramaphosa noted that a flag is a sacred article intended to unite and not divide a nation.

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While DA leaders are standing by their choice of a burning flag to depict South African life under a potential African National Congress (ANC)/Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) coalition government, Ramaphosa said on Tuesday the move was disrespectful towards those who died for a flag of nationhood.

Speaking to journalists in Limpopo, Ramaphosa said the DA’s advert sought to South Africa’s unity and shared identity.

“I think it’s treasonous, because any organisation that does something like that for political expediency should really be ashamed of themselves… It is the most despicable political act that anyone can embark upon, particularly when they are campaigning votes, because you are voting now for a party that wants to destroy South Africa.”

‘TAKING STEPS’

Arts and Culture Minister Zizi Kodwa said he was considering steps against the DA for its controversial election advert, adding that the advertisement launched on Sunday was abhorrent and unpatriotic.

Kodwa said he had instructed his legal advisors to recommend recourse government could take when national symbols were denigrated and desecrated.

“The desecration of national symbols should not be part of election campaigning and should not be tolerated in any instance. We are taking steps to ensure that there are consequences for such actions. It is our duty to ensure the protection of our national symbols which are a product of our hard-earned democracy,” said Kodwa’s spokesperson, Litha Mpondwana.

Former DA leader and current federal chairperson Helen Zille said, however, the choice of the flag as a visual analogy was intended to startle voters into what could happen if they did not vote for her party. 

She said the flag was chosen for this depiction because it was the clearest symbol of the country’s shared dream at the dawn of democracy, and that the flag engulfed in flames portrayed a vision ravaged by thirty years of ANC rule.

The DA contends under an ANC/EFF/MK and Patriotic Alliance (PA) coalition, it will be obliterated entirely.