The Democratic Alliance (DA) has expressed its dismay over the arrest of Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine and has called for President Cyril Ramaphosa to speak out against this “attack” which they view as an indictment on democracy and freedom.

On his return from South Africa, Wine was arrest by guerilla soldiers at the Entebbe International Airport near Kampala.

The DA has characterised this as an attempt by Uganda President Yoweri Museveni to stifle and arrest dissenting voices.

The party said that the arrest served as a poignant moment for Ramaphosa to send a message to the world that attacks on democracy cannot be condoned.

“As former African Union chairperson, and the leader of government guided by a free and principled constitution, President Ramaphosa must speak out against the violent and oppressive dictators and governments in Africa and the havoc they wreak not only upon our fellow African citizens, but on the very principles of freedom and democracy across the entire African continent,” said DA leader John Steenhuisen.

He also alluded to Ramaphosa’s alignment with countries antithetical to democracy following his attendance at the inauguration of Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, whom the DA alleged “stole the country in one of the most violent, irregular, rigged elections in Zimbabwe’s history”, coupled with Iran and Saudi Arabia’s invitation to Brics.

“President Ramaphosa cannot turn a blind eye to these atrocities, especially as the leader of an African state with immense influence in its region and on the continent. We, as South Africans, cannot purport to be the vanguard of freedom and democracy when we do not passionately and fervently fight for their promotion and protection elsewhere on the continent,” said Steenhuisen.