DA UNDERTAKES TO STOP DISTRIBUTING UNLAWFUL PAMPHLET

12 May 2011

The African National Congress welcomes the undertaking by the DA to refrain from continuing with the distribution of a libellous and defamatory pamphlet with the intention of harming the good character and name of Trevor Manuel and the ANC. The DA's undertaking comes after the ANC served the party with papers last night after we launched an application with the Electoral Act of SA to interdict DA from distributing the pamphlet.

The DA has been distributing pamphlets with false and defamatory statements intended to sow divisions within the ANC and to disadvantage it during the elections. The pamphlet reads: "Trevor Manuel is telling South Africans not to vote ANC (because) the ANC is unaccountable, racist, corrupt and a party that has failed to deliver to the poor".

We view the DA's forced undertaking as a victory for all those who ascribe to the principle of free and fair election.

It is a victory for those who respect the spirit and objectives of the electoral code of conduct and electoral laws.

It also represents victory for the ANC and for the principle of fair play during campaigning.

We shall however continue with our complaint currently before the law enforcement agencies. The DA must account for its fraudulent and irresponsible act of peddling and spreading malicious falsehoods about the ANC and comrade Trevor before a court of law.

The law enforcement agencies must indeed investigate this matter thoroughly and swiftly bring the perpetrators to justice. We are confident that if found guilty, the DA and all concerned deserve the maximum sanction permissible in terms of the law.

Statement issued by African National Congress, May 12 2011

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