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In four key metropoles, Tshwane, Johannesburg, Cape Town and Port Elizabeth, the local government elections are closer than they have ever been before. Elsewhere and across the country South Africans face a choice between the Democratic Alliance and the African National Congress, with every vote being critical to the very real possibility that power might change hands. Now, more than ever, the vote of every citizen can make a profound difference on 18 May.

The conduct of the public broadcaster during an election period is regulated by the provisions set out in the Independent Broadcasting Authority Act (IBAA). That Act states that the SABC is required to “treat all political parties equitably” and, importantly, that “each broadcasting service should be consistent in its treatment of contesting parties and of conflicting views”. The Act contains these requirements because, to bias coverage in one direction or the other, would be to favour one political party over another and thus unduly influence the ability of each South African citizen to discern the choices available to them.

The decision by the SABC to broadcast live for two hours the ANC’s final election rally, with three days to go before Election Day, while refusing to cover the Democratic Alliance in the same manner, is neither equitable nor consistent. It is in violation of the IBAA. It is to disproportionately promote the views of the ANC and thereby to give prominence to one agenda over others. A two hour live crossing is incomparable with a hard news story on a bulletin. In doing so, it is to promote one choice before South Africans over another which is both contrary to the SABC’s mandate and undemocratic.

For two weeks prior to the Democratic Alliance’s final election rally, our party attempted to negotiate with the SABC for live coverage. At first the SABC gave us a verbal commitment that it would cover the event live. It then reneged on that undertaking. It would give no explanation for its decision, nor would it confirm or deny whether it was covering the ANC’s final event. Last night, it confirmed that it would indeed be covering the ANC live.

Given the SABC’s choice, to cover one party live and not another and thereby to promote one choice over another, the DA must question the circumstances under which the SABC reneged on its initial decision. Was it called by Luthuli House? Further, why is it not prepared to offer an explanation to South Africans, as to why the public broadcaster has made this choice? These are the actions of an organization that lacks transparency and acts in a way that advances the interest of the governing party.

Regardless of the SABC’s behaviour, the DA remains undeterred. One of the very reasons why South Africans are in increasing numbers rejecting the ANC is because of its policy of cadre deployment and its undue influence over public institutions including the SABC. Increasingly they are looking to the DA for clean and efficient service delivery. On 18 May that trend will see the DA consolidate its position as a party of government that delivers for all.