CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP)

— Tensions are emerging within South Africa's coalition government as the Democratic Alliance (DA) has taken legal action against the African National Congress (ANC) over a pre-election speech by President Cyril Ramaphosa. The DA filed court papers in May, prior to entering the coalition, alleging that Ramaphosa's address amounted to an abuse of office by campaigning for the ANC just days before the national election. The DA is seeking a 1% deduction from the ANC's election vote and fines against both Ramaphosa and the party, arguing that the president's speech violated election rules prohibiting him from engaging in party politics while acting in his official capacity. The ANC has dismissed the DA's claims as "frivolous and unwarranted," asserting that Ramaphosa was adhering to constitutional duties when delivering the speech, which highlighted the party's achievements over its 30 years in power. This legal dispute comes on the heels of the ANC's significant electoral loss, where it secured only 40% of the vote, necessitating the formation of a coalition government for the first time in South Africa's history. The DA, which garnered 21% of the vote, is now part of a coalition that includes seven parties, marking a shift in the political landscape after decades of ANC dominance since the end of apartheid in 1994. Despite their historical rivalry, the DA and ANC have managed to maintain a facade of unity since the coalition was established, although their differing ideologies and past opposition raise questions about the sustainability of their partnership moving forward.