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Today, members of the ANC attacked the DA Gauteng premier candidate, Solly Msimanga, at a public engagement, where he was due to speak.

The ANC spent days mobilising for this attack, using amongst other methods, voice notes that we now have. This is not what democracy looks like.

Democracy is not broken windows, destroyed gazebos, or traumatised activists. Democracy is free and fair - without intimidation, and we are not intimidated.

This is not the South Africa we’ve hoped for. We will not allow the ANC’s fear of loss, and the accountability the DA will force down on them, to keep us from the people of Gauteng.

Beyond the fact that this is disgusting behaviour - it is illegal. This goes against the basic tenets of the Electoral Act, not to mention the Code of Conduct all public representatives are sworn to. We will be laying charges with the IEC, and the South African Police Service (SAPS) for malicious damage to property and intimidation.

We, however, will not be deterred by the acts of violence we witnessed today. We will mobilise the people of Gauteng, and beyond a shadow of the doubt, we will show this fumbling ANC government the door.

Neither Gauteng nor South Africa may become a blueprint for an ANC inflicted no go zones. We will continue to walk the ground with the residents of Gauteng. For the residents of Gauteng.

Issued by Solly Msimanga MPL - DA Gauteng Leader and Premier Candidate