Johannesburg - The Democratic Alliance said it welcomed the ANC's decision to approach the High Court in Johannesburg on Thursday after it accused the DA of violating the Electoral Code of Conduct.
“We are looking forward to defending our right to hold the president to account for improperly benefiting from the use of millions of rands in public money on his private residence,” federal executive chairman James Selfe said in a statement.
The ANC launched an urgent application in the High Court in Johannesburg on Thursday to stop the DA from “violating” the Electoral Act and Electoral Code of Conduct.
These prohibited electioneering based on false information.
“In recent weeks, the DA has been engaging in spreading malicious lies about the president, deliberately distorting the findings in the public protector's report,” African National Congress spokesman Jackson Mthembu said.
This was done through bulk smses, Mthembu said.
He said the sms contained the message: “The Nkandla report shows how Zuma stole your money to build his R246 million home. Vote DA on 7 May to beat corruption. Together for change.”
Selfe said his party would oppose the ANC's application.
“We intend to oppose this application since we believe the comment issued in the sms was fair within the context of the many damning findings of the report,” he said.
“The full basis of our legal defence will only be disclosed once it has been finalised by our legal team.”
Sapa