SABC refuses to air DA's second advert

"The DA has just learnt that the SABC will not allow our second Ayisafani television advert to air in this crucial final week of the campaign," the party said in a statement.

 

"This is political censorship, plain and simple."

 

DA leader Helen Zille and Gauteng premier candidate Mmusi Maimane would brief media on the matter on Wednesday afternoon.

 

The SABC was not immediately available for comment.

 

The DA's first election advert was pulled by the SABC after it was flighted on April 8 and 9. The public broadcaster said it incited violence.

 

On Friday, a complaint by the SA Police Service regarding the first advert that contains a photo of a police officer shooting rubber bullets was upheld by the Independent Communications Authority of SA (Icasa).

 

Zille and Maimane launched the second advert in Mamelodi, outside Pretoria on Monday.

 

At the time Zille said "Ayisafani 2: The DA is bigger, stronger, and ready to win!" would air on television every day from Tuesday until Sunday.

 

The 45 second advert, which is on YouTube, starts with Maimane in front of a mirror, getting dressed in a grey suit and white shirt saying: "So, they tried to silence us, but this is actually what they're afraid of", before opening double doors and segueing into the rest of the advert.

 

It focused on job creation and the growth of the DA.

 

- Sapa