State-owned Telkom donated almost R58 000 to the African National Congress in Parliament for a strategic planning session, according to a document in the possession of the Mail & Guardian.
Telkom this week said it viewed the sponsorship as not being for a party political event but for ”an organ of Parliament know as the Chief Whippery”, one of many structures with which it regularly interacts.
”The decision … was based on an understanding of its critical importance to the effective functioning of our democracy and our parliamentary system. This in turn impacts on how efficiently Parliament services stakeholders such as business,” said Telkom senior media relations manager Andrew Weldrick.
Telkom is preparing for its market listing and the entry of a second national operator into the domestic telecommunications market.
The money, R57760, was donated after a request via Telkom’s parliamentary liaison office for financial assistance for a three-day strategic planning session of the ANC from January 24 this year. On January 30 the ANC sent a letter confirming receipt of the money and expressing ”sincere gratitude for your contribution to the success of our strategic planning session”.
Head of communications for the ANC at Parliament, Vusi Mahaye, said there was nothing untoward about such sponsorship as long as Telkom did not limit donations to the ANC. ”Money that is meant to derive a benefit is not accepted,” he said.
Asked whether Telkom had sponsored other political parties, Weldrick insisted it was not policy to donate money to parties of any kind.