ANC Declines Presidential Debate Invite

The ANC has rubbished claims that it is to take part in a debate between President Cyril Ramaphosa and DA’s presidential candidate, Mmusi Maimane later in the month.

Maimane, in a statement made on Tuesday, claimed that Ramaphosa had agreed to a debate on SABC. He said that the debate is scheduled to take place on April 28.

However, the ANC was quick to deny his claims, adding that it would not be pressured into such a debate.

“The ANC refuses to be cajoled into a debate that never was between the ANC President Comrade Cyril Ramaphosa with the DA leader Mmusi Maimane,” read a statement by the ruling party.

“We strongly dispute what is currently being touted by the SABC, that the organization has confirmed or is even aware of a debate between its statesman and the DA’s Mmusi Maimane.”

In a tweet, Redi Tlhabi of SABC said that the network had invited Ramaphosa, Maimane, and Malema to take part in a public debate. However, none of the candidates or their parties had confirmed attendance.

“We have sent a request to the three leaders. We are not aware that any of them has confirmed. I suspect that one of the parties sent that out in hope of pressuring the other to come, so that if he doesn’t, they can say ‘he pulled out.’ I suspect the DA, Ja you can quote me on that one,” said Tlhabi.

We have sent a request to the 3 leaders. We are not aware that any of them has confirmed. I suspect that one of the parties sent that out in hope of pressuring the other to come, so that if he doesn't, they can say "he pulled out." I suspect the DA. Ja you can quote me on that🤣 https://t.co/aaJB0WPXVr

— Redi Tlhabi (@RediTlhabi) April 16, 2019