DA on Electoral Court challenge with Ramaphosa: 'We have a duty to defend the Constitution'
In May this year, the DA opened a case against Ramaphosa for allegedly violating the Electoral Code of Conduct. The party refused to drop the case despite being in a Government of National Unity with the ANC.
FILE: President Cyril Ramaphosa responds to a question from DA leader John Steenhuisen during his question and answer session in Parliament on 5 September 2023. Picture: @PresidencyZA/X
JOHANNESBURG - The Democratic Alliance (DA) and President Cyril Ramaphosa are set for a showdown in court on Thursday in what appears to be the first crack in the Government of National Unity (GNU).
In May this year, the DA opened a case against Ramaphosa for allegedly violating the Electoral Code of Conduct.
The DA said Ramaphosa's televised speech, three days before the elections, was a political campaign advertisement disguised as an official speech from The Presidency.
However, the president's office denied this, saying it was protocol for the sitting president to address the nation towards the end of his political term.
READ: DA files Electoral Court application to challenge Ramaphosa’s national address
The case will be heard in the Electoral Court sitting at the Johannesburg High Court.
DA spokesperson Willie Aucamp said the party was not going to drop the case because of its newly formed relationship with the African National Congress (ANC).
"Being in a GNU with the ANC doesn't mean we all of a sudden stop defending the Constitution. It means we even have a greater duty to do so," said Aucamp.