Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian
political party funding actlatest news & developments
The Political Party Funding Act requires parties to disclose donations above a certain threshold but it falls short of mandating transparency on expenditure. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)
EDITORIAL

Editorial: Reject political funding creep

The Political Party Funding Act was introduced to counter the fact that money buys influence

  • Editorial
2 min read
The Political Party Funding Act requires parties to disclose donations above a certain threshold but it falls short of mandating transparency on expenditure. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)
BUSINESS

South African taxpayers can’t afford R1.1 bn for political parties

There is not enough transparency and the funds would be better spent on health and education

  • Lyse Comins
9 min read
Graphic: John McCann
CITIZENS UNITED V FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION

Should money be a ‘form of speech’ in politics?

Permitting political parties to receive donations of unlimited amounts and from undisclosed sources exposes the government and its democratic values to corruption

  • Aaron Ng’ambi
6 min read
The Political Party Funding Act requires parties to disclose donations above a certain threshold but it falls short of mandating transparency on expenditure. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)
ELECTORAL MATTERS AMENDMENT ACT

Relationship between money and politics a threat to SA’s democracy

The Electoral Matters Amendment Act was created to enable independent candidates to contest the elections, but it has eroded the Political Party Funding Act

  • Minhaj Jeenah
7 min read
The trade, industry and competition minister Parks Tau. File photo.
ANC

Gauteng ANC produces solid financials, feather in treasurer Parks Tau’s cap

The provincial administration has, however, struggled to pay staff salaries

  • Lizeka Tandwa
4 min read
(Photo: Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)
ANC

IEC can’t investigate political parties that do not declare funding – until you complain

Only two political parties made funding declarations this past quarter, spurring calls for a relook at the Political Party Funding Act

  • Sonri Naidoo
3 min read
In a forgiving mood: President Cyril Ramaphosa’s (left) emphasis of the good former health minister Zweli Mkhize (right) has done betrays a level of tolerance for unethical behaviour that is endemic in the ANC. (Kopano Tlape)
ANC

Ramaphosa’s unbalanced assessment of Zweli Mkhize ‘an insult’

Desperate to claw back the public’s trust, the president missteped and betrayed his own weak understanding of ethics and the meaning of leadership

  • Zama Ndlovu
6 min read
ACTIONSA

Party funding: DA rakes in R15mn in donations, ANC R10mn

Of the 504 political parties registered with the IEC, 393 did not respond to the requirement of the Political Party Funding Act

  • Eyaaz Matwadia
4 min read
Concerns: Paul Mashatile, Jessie Duarte, Cyril Ramaphosa and David Mabuza at an ANC rally. (Delwyn Verasamy)
CYRIL RAMAPHOSA

‘All systems go’ for IEC’s Political Party Funding Act

The Act, which regulates political party funding, came into effect on 1 April and aims to make donations transparent.

  • Eunice Masson
2 min read
Regardless of how the 2024 elections end, the ruling party must undergo radical political transformation to survive (Reuters/Siphiwe Sibeko)
BILLIONAIRES

Competition for campaign contributions results in the rich paying too little tax

In response to “No-one should be as rich as Elon Musk”, Mail & Guardian 20 January

  • Terence Grant
2 min read
The electorate needs to know who gives parties money, but the amended Promotion of Access to Information Act and the Political Party Funding Act are in limbo. (David Harrison/M&G)
ACCOUNTABILITY

Two Acts linked to political party funding have not been promulgated

The electorate needs to know who gives parties money, but the amended Promotion of Access to Information Act and the Political Party Funding Act are in limbo

  • Robyn Pasensie
4 min read