Cape Town – The Electoral Court has dismissed the Democratic Alliance (DA)’s complaint that President Cyril Ramaphosa’s pre-election speech on May 26 misused state resources for political gain.
The DA argued that Ramaphosa’s address, broadcast on public platforms, resembled a campaign speech for the ANC and violated the Electoral Act.
However, the court ruled on Monday that the speech was in line with Ramaphosa’s presidential duties, touching on security and government achievements, and found no evidence it influenced voters or served as a campaign for the ANC.
“Conversely, the President explains in great detail the reasons why he made the address, and he has demonstrated his bona fide belief that the address served the public good and was not calculated to unduly influence voters. We have no reason not to accept this explanation by the President,” judgement the read.
JUST IN :The DA has lost its legal challenge in the Electoral Court over the President’s 26 May 2024 address. The DA argued that the “conduct of Pres. Ramaphosa, who was the ANC’s candidate for Pres. in the May polls, violated multiple provisions of the Electoral Act” #SABCNews pic.twitter.com/Io8ctI0FQ6
— Canny Maphanga (@CannyMaphanga) October 21, 2024
“The simple point is that the President, in addressing the nation on 26 May 2024, was doing what s 83(c) of the Constitution enjoins him to do, that being to promote national unity and to advance the interests of the Republic.
“It is permissible, and indeed desirable, for the President, in pursuit of these objects, to take steps to keep the public informed about the state of the nation, the government’s actions and the challenges facing the country,” it said.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu