DA lays charges for violence and intimidation – Refiloe Nt'sekhe

11 July 2016

The ANC is no longer a movement committed to democracy and freedom, but has reduced itself to a party only concerned with grasping at waning power over an electorate that has seen through its empty promises and poor service delivery. 

Today in Mangaung, the ANC showed their disregard for the Rule of Law as well as the IEC's Electoral Code of Conduct by barricading a DA truck in an effort to stop a public meeting and door to door campaigning.

The ANC constituency, Ward 49 in Thaba Nchu, further resorted to violence which was met with tacit complicity by the Mangaung Police who stood idly by and even went so far as to delay the laying of charges against the ANC's relentless intimidation and violation section 87(1)(f) and section 94 of theElectoral Act which expressly prohibits this conduct.

On Saturday, only two days ago, political parties across the spectrum contesting the elections on 3 August signed and agreed to comply with the IEC's Electoral Code of Conduct. 

The ANC's lack of integrity has reared its ugly head once again. It is clear that they are running scared; worried about the DA’s growth and momentum heading into the 3 August 2016 polls.

The reality is that the ANC has forgotten the legacy of Nelson Mandela and are afraid that that the people of South Africa will use the ballot box to vote them out of office.

Today, as on various occasions across the country in the lead-up to the most hotly contested Local Government Elections, the ANC has become the oppressor against the very freedoms of association and campaigning they fought for just over 2 decades ago.

The DA remains the only party committed to serving the people of South Africa. What we have promised, we have delivered – this is the honest government which South Africa deserves. The DA will continue to be a disciplined party that honours the Rule of Law.

Unlike the ANC, we intend to win the the elections at the ballot box and not through intimidation and violence. 

The DA is the only party that can carry the legacy of Nelson Mandela forward.

Issued by Refiloe Nt'sekhe, DA National Spokesperson, 11 July 2016