The African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) in parliament insists that the Electoral Commission (IEC) should continue to increase funding for political parties represented in parliament.
The party was responding to the committee's report for the 2022/2023 financial year.
The report reveals that the committee spent R342 million, which was divided among MPs.
This is a significant increase compared to R169 million in the previous financial year.
ACDP chief Steve Swart said increased political funding would strengthen South Africa's multiparty democracy.
“The African Christian Democratic Party takes note of the IEC report showing that spending on political parties under the Political Party Funding Act was significantly higher than in previous years. We believe that this is necessary to enable political parties to compete on a somewhat level playing field, as they receive donations amounting to Rand, in order to run political parties and conduct election campaigns effectively. It is also necessary to strengthen the multiparty democracy required by Article 236 of the Constitution, as it will cost millions of rands.
Parties have their funding cut off
Meanwhile, conflicts between the leadership of the National Freedom Party (NFP) have led the commission to suspend funding to the party for the 2022/2023 financial year.
Former NPF MP Shaikh Emam said:
In its annual report to parliament, the commission confirmed that the NFP is one of four political parties that do not receive funding from electoral bodies.
The report said political parties such as the Congress of the People (COPE), the African Independence Congress (AIC), and the Pan-Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC) did not comply with the requirements of the Political Party Funding Act.
“The last time they pay the party is in 2021. What I can say is that all the financials are up to date. The problem is that Article 9 requires them to notify the IEC when they receive funds from the IEC. By attaching the party's leadership to the financial statements each year, the IEC will know who is in charge within the party. That's something NFP couldn't do.”
Political party funding law
The law prohibits political parties from receiving funds from foreign governments or institutions, foreign individuals or organizations, or state-owned enterprises or institutions of state-owned enterprises.
However, Parties may receive funding from foreign entities for training, skills development, or policy development.
Members of political parties cannot accept donations for purposes other than those of the political party.
Meanwhile, the IEC warned that the law needs further powers to enable the commission to follow up on organizations that fail to disclose donations.
Video | IEC calls for increased powers to enforce political party funding laws.