The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) is set to hear a complaint by the South African Police Service (SAPS) against the Democratic Alliance’s election advertisement on Thursday morning.
“The SAPS said in their complaint that the television advert would incite violence against the police,” said Icasa spokesman Paseka Maleka.
“The police said the part of the advert where the DA’s [Gauteng premier candidate] Mmusi Maimane says ‘the police are killing our people’ and shows a policeman shooting at a person, would invite violent acts against the members of the SAPS.”
The ad was previously banned by public broadcaster SABC after it was flighted on 8 and 9 April. The SABC said the ad incited violence.
The DA laid a complaint with Icasa, after which a public hearing was held on the matter.
The SABC then brought back the ad and aired it on its channels.
The “Ayisafani” (it’s not the same) advert shows Maimane standing in front of a mirror talking about the current state of the country.
The SAPS lodged the complaint on 19 April. The public hearing would be held at the Icasa offices in Sandton. — Sapa