The Electoral Commission (IEC) has published the first quarter Political Funding Disclosure Report for the financial year 2024/25.
The report covers the period of 1 April to 30 June 2024.
It is the first report since the inauguration of the seventh parliament and administration following the successful hosting of free and fair 2024 national and provincial elections on 29 May 2024.
The commission in a statement on Monday lauded the 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 in the regulations can be ameliorated.’
During this quarter, political parties declared a
cumulative amount of nearly R200 000 000. The value of first quarter 2024/25 donation disclosure is 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. Once again, a positive correlation between the value of donations declared and the election season are demonstrated,’ said the commission.
A total of 14 political parties declared donations during the first quarter of the year. These are:
1. ActionSA – R13 186 000
2. African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) – R240 000
3. African National Congress (ANC) – R26 015 313
4. Build One South Africa (BOSA) – R12 877 709
5. Change Starts Now – R150 000
6. Democratic Alliance (DA) – R56 601 039
7. Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) – R515 313
8. GOOD – R600 000
9. Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) – R38 340 000
10. Independent Civic Organisation
of South Africa (ISANCO) – R100 000
11. Patriotic Alliance (PA) – R6 649 900
12. Rise Mzansi – R33 895 000
13. South African Rainbow Alliance (SARA) – R400 000
14. uMkhonto Wesizwe Party (MKP) – R380 555
‘While there were few first-time donors during the reporting quarter, a significant number of donors were repeat donors. Furthermore, many of the repeat donors made significant donations across several political parties, targeting mainly new or recently established political parties.’
Source: South African Government News Agency