Steenhuisen says DA's burning flag advert isn't fear-mongering

JOHANNESBURG - Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen said the party's advertisement depicting a burning South African flag was not fearmongering.

The party has been facing public backlash over the flag this week, with President Cyril Ramaphosa calling this an act of treason.

READ: Kodwa condemns DA advert showing burning SA flag

Steenhuisen said the advertisement had sparked necessary debate over the challenges that face residents.

With just 19 days to go before the national and provincial elections, the DA leader said this advertisement had people speaking about the party, which is important during election season.

Steenhuisen said that while the advertisement was uncomfortable, it was the reality that people face.

He said this was not fearmongering, as the message behind the advert was not fabricated.

"Fear mongering is creating an imaginary situation and then making people scared of it. The doomsday coalition has already come to places where you have burning roads and buildings where people are being burnt alive."

Steenhuisen said the party had no regrets over this advert as it had done what it was meant to do.