{
  "id": 13648612,
  "title": "The DA’s choking curse",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/the-das-choking-curse",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-11T05:04:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/news/opinion/the-das-choking-curse/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Mark Sham's controversial remark about Helen Zille's political tactics has left many questioning the strategies employed by the DA in South Africa. During an audience speech, the DA politician questioned why the DA's fortunes seem to rise just before elections, only to plummet shortly afterward. Zille, however, did not pursue legal action against him, despite the boldness of his words.\n\nCrimen injuria, an offense aimed at tarnishing another person's self-esteem, dignity, or peace of mind, would likely apply in this situation. While Sham's statement may not be as egregious as other political missteps, it still raises concerns about the effectiveness and professionalism of the DA.\n\nThe DA, once known as South Africa's greatest \"chokers,\" appears to have adopted similar tactics. Candidates with questionable qualifications and last-minute blunders have plagued the party, potentially fueling negative sentiments among voters. Despite being a respected political body, the DA seems to be feeding their opponents ammunition, risking their own support in the process.\n\nPolitical dynamics in South Africa often focus on gaining goodwill while minimizing hostility. This approach has led to a plethora of questionable statements and actions, some of which may be more detrimental than others. Drawing attention to these issues can be beneficial, as it highlights the need for more responsible and strategic political behavior.\n\nPolitical deafness is a phenomenon where politicians become disconnected from the ground realities and fail to anticipate the potential consequences of their actions. This not only endangers their own support but also alienates others, creating enemies in the process. In the high-stakes world of South African politics, blunders should be avoided at all costs, as they can have far-reaching consequences.",
  "summary": "The DA's political deafness puts so much hard work at risk for reckless moments",
  "key_points": [
    "DA politician Mark Sham made controversial remarks about Helen Zille's political tactics.",
    "Crimen injuria likely applies to Sham's offensive statement about Zille.",
    "DA's recent performance has been criticized as chokers, similar to past blunders."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}