IEC publishes political party donations
IEC spokesperson Kate Bapela explained that declarable donations are monetary, in-kind, or combined, above R100 000 made by a single donor to a single party in a financial year.
SECTION 9(3) of the Political Party Funding Act, 6 of 2018 and its supporting regulations require all registered political parties to disclose donations above the R100 000 threshold to the Independent Electoral Commission for publishing.
IEC spokesperson Kate Bapela explained that declarable donations are monetary, in-kind, or combined, above R100 000 made by a single donor to a single party in a financial year.
‘It is also important to note that no donations above R15-million may be made by a donor to a political party in one year,’ said Bapela.
‘Regulations governing donations from foreign entities stipulate that such a donation should not exceed R5-million in one year.
‘Such foreign donations may only be used for policy development, training or skills development of members of a political party,’ she said.
Last Thursday, the commission shared details of all donations disclosed by political parties during the second quarter of the current financial year.
She said the Second Quarter Disclosure Report covers disclosed donations by political parties for the period from July to September 2021.
Six political parties have made disclosures totalling R56 880 644.47 during the second quarter. These parties made disclosures with corresponding amounts as follows:
ActionSA –
R16 923 382.00
Abantu Integrity Movement (AIM) –
R112 386.04
ACDP – R235 000.00
ANC – R22 619 969.00
DA – R16 867 007.43
GOOD – R122 900.00
‘It is important to highlight that the amount of R112 386.04 declared by AIM was for donations received by the party during the first quarter, between April and June 2021.
These donations were only declared to the commission by the party in the second quarter.
‘Party funding prescripts state that donations received by political parties must be disclosed every quarter. In this circumstance, the IEC resolved to publish the donations in the spirit of transparency and openness, despite their late submission.
‘For corrective action, a directive has been issued against the party as provided for in the legislations,’ she said.
