DA'S REACTIONARY AGENDA KNOWS NO LIMITS

9 March 2024

The ANC has taken note of a letter sent by the Democratic Alliance to the Secretary of State of the United States of America and other foreign affairs ministers in Europe. As we understand it this a second letter with the first being sent under the auspices of a multi­party banner.

In this letter, the Democratic Alliance essentially offers South Africa's sovereignty on a silver platter by requesting that "partners in democracy to engage with consequence in the run up to the elections".

President Cyril Ramaphosa's warning at our recent lekgotla has come to pass where he said "We are conscious of the fact that there will be systematic fight-back campaign. There can be little doubt that these forces will do all in their power to prevent South Africa from concluding its case on the merits of the matter, in the ICJ. The fight-back may also focus on our own domestic politics and our electoral outcomes in order to pursue a regime-change agenda. Comrades we need to be absolutely vigilant and resolute!"

Section 84(3)(b)(i) of the Electoral Act makes it clear that election observers must conduct themselves "impartially and independently of any political party or candidate contesting [the] election". It is thus outrageous that South African political parties are appealing to foreign governments to interfere in our electoral processes, including through funding of so-called "voter education" activities.

This plea is a clear attempt to bring about a regime change, disguised in opportunistic language. South Africa's sovereignty is not up for sale to any country, whether it be from the East or the West. The ANC-led government engages with governments around the world based on the principles of Peace and Friendship, rooted in the spirit of Ubuntu and a respect for the sovereignty of all nations.

It was the ANC that fought for democracy and brought about our Constitutional democracy with all its defining characteristics. As early as 1991, in our Constitutional Principles for a Democratic South Africa, we stated that "the government must be democratic in the universally accepted meaning of the term. It must be the government of the people, by the people, for the people. It must be chosen by the people through free, fair, and regular elections. It must be removable if it loses the confidence of the voters. Elections must be based on the principle of universal and equal suffrage, with a common voters roll that does not discriminate based on race, language, creed, class, social position, birth, or gender."

We have never wavered from these principles. Our Independent Electoral Commission is highly regarded worldwide for conducting credible elections. As per usual practice in democratic South Africa the IEC has invites over 120 international organisations, regional and continental organisations such as AU SADC amongst others.

The notion that an African country's elections are only considered credible when observed by Europeans or Americans is a clear example of paternalistic imperialism. Despite our impeccable track record of running free and fair elections in South Africa, we have never sought to comment on the elections in the West, even when their own citizens question the credibility of their electoral processes.

We respect the right of the citizens of those nations to address their internal challenges whether it's an insurrection led by an outgoing President or whether it is repetitive concerns about gerrymandering.

The DA reactionary and inhumane agenda knows no limits. It is little surprise that its leader said "one man's genocide is another's man's freedom" when asked about the genocidal actions of Israel in Palestine. It is beyond a coincidence that the very same nation which continues to arm Israel in pursuit of its genocidal agenda and blocks pleas for a cease fire at the United Nations Security Council is now being called upon to "oversee" our elections.

The ANC condemns in the strongest terms the DAs and its moonshot anti-transformation alliance sale of our sovereignty.

The ANC firmly believes in the principle of self-determination and the right of every nation to choose its own path and leadership. We reject any attempts to undermine the sovereignty of South Africa or any other African nation. Our efforts to transform our country and usher in a better life for has had many challenges but these aren't insurmountable. Sustaining and building a society that meets the full aspirations of our Constitution is work in progress that is constantly evolving and improving.

We welcome constructive engagement and dialogue with all political parties, both domestically and internationally, but we will not tolerate any attempts to undermine our democratic processes or manipulate our elections. The ANC remains committed to upholding the values of democracy, equality, and justice that are enshrined in our Constitution.

We call on the Democratic Alliance and all other political parties to respect the sovereignty of South Africa and to engage in a constructive and respectful manner. We believe that the future of our country should be determined by the will of the South African people, not by external interference or hidden agendas.