The DA has since opened 10 criminal cases in a space of just four years. All these cases have gone cold because the DA failed to produce evidence backing all its claims.
Here is the list of cases opened by the DA:
- In 2011 the DA laid criminal charges against Schabir Shaik claiming that he was still listed as a director of a company that was involved in the arms deal. The charges were laid at the Johannesburg Central police station. The DA has since failed to produce evidence on allegations and there case did not see its day in court.
- In April 2012 the DA laid criminal charges against SA Democratic Teachers' Union (SADTU) official in the Eastern Cape. The allegation was that he tried to run over then-DA parliamentary leader Lindiwe Mazibuko. DA alleged that Sadtu’s Hewu branch chairperson, Mr Honjiswa Mrwebi, was alleged to have tried to run over Mazibuko in Whittlesea, outside Queenstown, during a 12km walk. There was no evidence produced by the DA to back its claims and the matter did not go to court.
- In May 2012, DA's Mmusi Maimane opened charges of violence, intimidation and illegal gathering against Cosatu. This was after a clash between the DA and the trade union federation during a march in Braamfontein, Johannesburg. The opposition party's march began peacefully, but when they turned into Jorissen Street they were met by toyi-toying Cosatu members. Rocks and pieces of cement were thrown into the crowd during then-DA leader Helen Zille's speech. The DA did not co-operate with investigators to push for a court date. The case was abandoned and it went cold.
- In June 2012, the DA laid charges against then-ANC Youth League deputy president Ronald Lamola in Mpumalanga for comments he made regarding land reform. Charges of incitement to violence were laid in Middelburg. At the time Lamola called for the expropriation of land without compensation at the Durban University of Technology. The DA failed to prove that Lamola had contravened the law by his comments. The case went cold.
- In April 2013, the DA laid charges against former Communications Minister Dina Pule. The charges related to alleged corruption in appointments made at the department and its entities. Charges were also laid against then-SABC chief financial officer Gugu Duda; Phosane Mngqibisa, head of Khemano Events; and then SABC group chief executive officer Lulama Makhobo. It appeared that the DA had based its action on hear-says but did not have enough evidence and abandoned the case.
- In March 2014, DA's Maimane laid corruption charges against President Jacob Zuma at the Nkandla police station. This was in relation to the security upgrades to the president's private home in northern KwaZulu-Natal. This was after Public Protector Thuli Madonsela's report found that Zuma and his family "unduly benefited" from the upgrades. The DA is represented in all committees of parliament but disregarded all processed that had to follow thereafter. Realizing that there was not substance to back charges, the DA abounded this case.
- Also in March 2014, the party and the Bekkersdal Concerned Residents Association laid criminal charges against the ANC. This was after it was alleged that ANC "bodyguards" had shot at unarmed people. At the time The Star newspaper reported that the bodyguards fired live ammunition at residents after they disrupted schooling. This case was abandoned as a result of lack of interest from the DA.
- In December 2014, the DA laid a charge of perjury against then-SABC board chairperson Ellen Tshabalala. This after Parliament's portfolio committee on communications found she had lied about her qualifications in a sworn affidavit. Tshabalala was fired as a result SABC's internal process that is a norm in terms of labour relations. It seems like the DA did not know of such.
- In 2015 the DA laid charges against police after five of its members were arrested outside Parliament for intimidating some MPs. This was before the State of the Nation address by President Zuma.
- In August 2015, Maimane laid charges against former Passenger Rail Agency of SA CEO Lucky Montana and other functionaries of the agency. This followed the release of Madonsela's report into allegations of maladministration. The DA disregarded all processes that still need to follow. It seems like the DA will not win this one also.
