Ramaphosa Slams Rival’s Plea For US Election Observers

A political row has broken out in South Africa, after the main opposition party called for US observers to watch over the general election later this year.

Writing to Washington’s top diplomat Anthony Blinken, the Democratic Alliance (DA) said having American election observers in place would “safeguard” South Africa “against any attempts to disrupt the democratic process”.

Furious replies followed, with the president and other senior African National Congress (ANC) figures variously branding the DA’s letter “disingenuous”, “astounding”, and an an attempt to “hide” something.

After 30 years in power, the ANC faces its toughest battle yet at the polls on 29 May.

Falling support amid corruption and an economic crisis could leave them without a parliamentary majority for the first time since white-minority rule ended.

BBC/Jide Johnson.