/ 9 February 2014

DA made Ramaphosa hit-and-run claims to ‘score cheap points’

The DA claims Cyril Ramaphosa's blue light brigade knocked down a cyclist in Wedela
The DA claims Cyril Ramaphosa's blue light brigade knocked down a cyclist in Wedela

The ANC has demanded an apology from the Democratic Alliance after it accused ANC deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa's convoy of having knocked down a cyclist in Wedela, North West, and driving off.

DA Gauteng leader, John Moody, released a statement on Sunday alleging that Ramaphosa's convoy had knocked down a cyclist and had driven off without stopping to assist the man. 

Moody told the Mail & Guardian on Sunday his party had received information relating to the incident from an eyewitness who was at the scene.

'Reckless and irresponsible lies'
But the ANC dismissed the DA's claim as reckless and irresponsible lies aimed at scoring cheap political points

"The over zealousness of the DA to portray the ANC negatively has undermined the little that is left of its integrity," said ANC spokesperson Jackson Mthembu in a statement.

Mthembu said Ramaphosa's convoy had stopped to investigate when it came across a man who was lying next to the street and a bicycle next to him. "The team was told by people who were standing next to the man that he had hit a tree. On inspecting the man the [deputy president's] team realised that the man was having an epileptic fit. The team tried to resuscitate him and in the meantime traffic officers were asked to call an ambulance, which came and collected the man."

Cheap politics
Mthembu demanded the opposition party to apologise and retract its statement. 

"It is sad that the DA, in its desperation, chose to use an inappropriate incident to try and score cheap political points. The ANC demands that the DA must apologise unconditionally and retract its statement. "

Mthembu said the accusations were not in line with the code of conduct of all political parties participating in the 2014 elections.

"We will therefore sharply raise this matter in the party liaison committee of the [Independent Electoral Commission] for proper censure for the DA for its recklessness," said Mthembu.

Moody said he stood by his statement and would encourage eyewitnesses to open a case.