"I welcome this initiative and look forward to going toe-to-toe with Cyril Ramaphosa to debate our respective plans to deal with our country's most pressing challenges," said Maimane.
He said the debate would provide an opportunity for him to show the differences between DA and ANC policy and would empower voters to make informed decisions.
"Cyril Ramaphosa has promised to create a culture of transparency and accountability, and this provides him with a perfect opportunity to break with the past and show South Africans he is different to his predecessor," said Maimane.
Mbalula has, however, now strongly denied the ANC's involvement in the debate.
"We strongly dispute what is currently being touted by the SABC, that the organisation has confirmed or is even aware of a debate between its statesman and the DA's Mmusi Maimane," said Mbalula.