The IEC first quarter political funding report reveals that nearly R200 million was donated to14 political parties. File Picture: Jacques Naude / Independent Newspapers
The first quarter political funding disclosure report for the financial year 2024/25 by the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) was released on Friday, August 30.
The funding report covers the period of April 1 to June 30.
According to IEC spokesperson Kate Bapela, this is the first report since the inauguration of the seventh Parliament and administration, following the hosting of the 2024 National and Provincial Elections on May 29.
Bapela said the declaration report was issued against a legislative environment wherein the Party Funding Act was amended.
“The Electoral Matters Amendment Act 14 of 2024 did not provide disclosure thresholds for political parties and non-aligned political candidates.’’
As stated by the commission, 14 political parties were declared a cumulative amount of nearly R200,000,000.
Bapela added that the value of first quarter 2024/25 donation disclosures was comparable to the value of donations declared during the fourth quarter of the past financial year.
‘’Totalling a colossal R189,950,829, this is by far the highest value of donations across all years and quarters since the introduction of the Political Funding Act, as amended,’’ said the commission.
ActionSA – R13,186,000
African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) – R240,000
African National Congress (ANC) – R26,015,313
Build One South Africa (Bosa) – R12,877,709
Change Starts Now – R150,000
Democratic Alliance (DA) – R56,601,039
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) – R515,313
GOOD – R600,000
Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) – R38,340,000
Independent Civic Organisation of South Africa (ISANCO) – R100,000
Patriotic Alliance (PA) – R6,649,900
Rise Mzansi – R33,895,000
South African Rainbow Alliance (SARA) – R400,000
Umkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) – R380,555
Bapela said the Commission wished to laud political parties who made declarations in the reporting period, even though there was no legal basis to do so.
‘’This act is indicative of these parties’ commitment to transparency in the management of their financial affairs. This can only bode well for electoral democracy in the country.
‘’Furthermore, the Commission wishes to ask the National Assembly to expeditiously finalise its processes and take a resolution on the thresholds in order for the president to gazette so that the lacuna (gap) in the regulations can be ameliorated.’’
Bapela said while there were a few first-time donors during the reporting quarter, a significant number of donors were repeat donors.
She said many of the repeat donors made significant donations across several political parties, targeting mainly new or recently established political parties.
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