JOHANNESBURG - The Democratic Alliance (DA) has filed a complaint with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).
This follows an alleged deepfake video that appears to show DA figures discussing dealings involving criminal suspect Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
DA IEC Party Liaison Committee Representative Mike Moriarty said the AI-generated video depicting former Ekurhuleni mayor Tania Campbell and former MMC of Community and Safety in Ekurhuleni, Khathu Rasilingwane, is fake.
“We're obviously being made out to be people that are corrupt, which is not the truth. There's an element of corruption, which is tagged along with what has been happening at the Madlanga Commission involving people like Cat Matlala.”
In the video, "Campbell" seemed to be asking for protection through Matlala, as she does not want the state's VIP protection.
"Rasilingwane" responded, questioning what they would have to offer him given that he is allegedly a member of the Big Five.
"Campbell" in the video then responded, saying, "We will install blue lights in all his VIP cars and also award all EMS tenders to him."
Moriarty lambasted the video, saying it creates a false impression of Campbell.
Moriarty claims the tender at the centre of the controversy is allegedly linked to suspended deputy chief of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) Julius Mkwanazi and denied Campbell knowing it.
“What's happening here is to try and distract voters from supporting a party that has a clear reputation for good governance, and that's the Democratic Alliance. We've exercised our rights,” he said.
According to Moriarty, the video was shared by prospective Tshwane ANC mayoral candidate Kgoši Maepa, who is now in hot water for a similar act.
“He's already in trouble there for doing a similar thing against the mayor from ActionSA, Nasiphi Moya, so there's a pattern of behavior where false images, false discussions, false attributions are being made about political opponents.
In a statement, ActionSA confirmed that it has lodged a formal complaint with the IEC to investigate Maepa for what it called a series of repeated acts of disinformation against Tshwane Executive Mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya.
ActionSA said it believes this may constitute breaches of the Electoral Code of Conduct.
Additionally, the party said it would proceed to lay criminal charges against Maepa for the same actions.