Joint Press Statement from The Office of The Premier of the Western Cape, New National Party, the African National Congress and the Democratic Alliance, 3 April 2004

On Monday 29th March 2004, the DA in the Western Cape launched a court application in the Cape Town High Court, for an interdict against the Premier of the Western Cape Province, the ANC and the NNP. On 1 April 2004 this matter was postponed to the coming week.

The four parties to the dispute have decided to settle this matter amicably and the application will not be proceeded with. Accordingly the Cape High Court will be approached on Monday 5 April to postpone the application sine die and no order as to costs to be made.

The political parties to the dispute have further agreed to the following:

The parties remain mindful that we are a new democracy and that it is important for the future of our democracy for political parties to agree on what constitutes appropriate conduct during election campaigns. Therefore we make a mutual undertaking to debate and discuss, after the 2004 election, in the appropriate parliamentary and legislative forums, the issue of good democratic practice for political parties, especially political parties in government at all levels, and if needed, to decide upon any further legislative, administrative or other measures to address this issue.

The parties to the dispute agree to abide by this joint statement and to make no further comment.