DA victory in Nkandla SMS case

The DA welcomes the High Court's dismissal with costs of the ANC's application against the DA's Nkandla SMS. 

This is both a victory for freedom of speech and for the truth about Nkandla.

Judge Hellens found the DA's SMS was "fair comment". It was further found that the ANC failed to properly argue their case because they never tabled what the Nkandla report actually says. 

In reading extracts from the Nkandla report the judge offerred the court an Oxford dictionary definition of the word "loot" arising from the Public Protector's finding that the upgrade was a "licence to loot".

The judge also disagreed with the ANC's interpretation of electoral law because it conflicts with "freedom of expression" and the Bill of Rights.

The ANC never tabled the Nkandla report in court because they can't admit to what it says. The fact remains that any reasonable person can conclude that money was stolen to upgrade the President's R246million private homestead.

The DA repeats our call for the President to be impeached and for criminal charges of corruption to be carried out against him.

From the start the ANC's case has been based on fear of losing a close election in Gauteng. The fact that 1.6million voters in Gauteng have now been communicated the truth about Nkandla has now been backed by a court of law.

Statement issued by Mmusi Maimane, DA Gauteng Premier Candidate, April 4 2014

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