DA requests IEC investigation over ANC-Russia ‘disinformation network’

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DA requests IEC investigation over ANC-Russia 'disinformation network' The DA has formally requested that the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) launch an immediate investigation into ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula and his adviser Bongani Mbindwane. This development follows recent investigative reports alleging that the ANC officials coordinated with the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) to run targeted disinformation operations designed to disrupt South Africa's democratic elections. According to a letter sent to IEC chief electoral officer Sy Mamabolo on Thursday, the DA claims that leaked SVR documents expose a "deep-seated collusion" between the Russian Federation and high-ranking ANC members. The alleged operation aims to dismantle opposition support through calculated cyber smear campaigns, manufactured scandals, and electoral interference. DA spokesperson on International Relations and Cooperation Ryan Smith, said local and international investigative journalists have traced these operations back to a Russian company named 'Politology'. Led directly by the SVR, this entity allegedly collaborated with Mbalula and Mbindwane to "manipulate" public perception and weaken South African opposition parties. The scope of the alleged interference includes circulating fraudulent documents and creating fictitious events on social media and specifically targeting then DA federal leader John Steenhuisen and Federal Council chairperson Helen Zille. Smith said this also allegedly included deploying coordinated cyber disinformation campaigns to suppress DA votes during the 2024 National and Provincial Elections, with some hostile operations tracking as far back as 2019. The DA's escalation to the IEC comes after it says the Department of International Relations and Cooperation refused to take diplomatic action. In March, the ministry publicly declined to démarche the Russian Ambassador to South Africa, dismissing the election interference allegations as farcical. Smith strongly criticised this