
Unmasking the political blessers
JOHANNESBURG - The Electoral Commission is hosting its first Political Funding symposium.
It comes four years after the implementation of the Political Funding Act.
It also comes after the National Assembly approved the doubling of thresholds for private political funding.

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IOL News
8 hours ago
- IOL News
uMkhonto WeSizwe Party announces new MPs, excludes Floyd Shivambu
New Members of Parliament sworn in by uMkhonto WeSizwe, but Floyd Shivambu left out Image: Tumi Pakkies The uMkhonto WeSizwe (MK) Party has officially announced the nomination and swearing of nine new Members of Parliament (MPs) to the National Assembly to fill vacant seats, but excluded former secretary general Floyd Shivambu. On Saturday, Colleen Makhubele, the MK Party's chief whip, announced that the new members will be sworn in on Wednesday in the Speaker's Boardroom in the Parliament of South Africa. The incoming MPs are Mr Lungisani Graduate Shangase, Mr Jeffrey Bhekumndeni Mtolo, Mr Zibuse Khayelihle Abednego Cele, Mr Siphetho Witness Mkhize, Ms Philisande Mkhize, Mr Gift Motaung, Ms Noma Buthelezi, Ms Ntandoyenkosi Nkosentsha Shezi, and Ms Khanyisile Litchfield According to the MK party, these individuals bring diverse experience and dedication, poised to bolster the party's efforts to serve South Africans and uphold the core values of democracy, equality, and justice. Makhubele said the party is committed to effective representation and pursuing policies that benefit all citizens. "These new members exemplify our commitment to building a better future for South Africa. We look forward to working with them as we continue to advocate for the rights and interests of our people," she said. Meanwhile, Shivambu, who was demoted as party secretary general and promised a seat as an MP, has taken a different path. On Thursday, Shivambu held a press briefing revealing plans to initiate a nationwide consultation with various church leaders and community stakeholders. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ He indicated that this process aims to determine whether to establish a new political party, independent of the MK party. This move follows recent reports by IOL of the MK Party's decision to exclude Shivambu from its parliamentary list, a move that Shivambu criticised publicly. In removing Shivambu from his position as the party's SG, the MK party cited Shivambu's unauthorised visit to Prophet Shepherd Bushiri in Malawi as a breach of party protocol. However, Shivambu dismissed the party's reasons, claiming he was demoted because he had questioned the embezzlement of R7 million from the party's funds. 'I was redeployed for daring to speak out against corruption within the party. Despite this, I remain committed to serving the people and will not leave the MK party.' 'I am exploring the possibility of forming a new political entity that reflects our shared values," Shivambu stated during the briefing. He further indicated that he would proceed with the potential formation of a new political platform, emphasising that his actions are motivated by a desire to promote transparency and accountability in South African politics.

IOL News
10 hours ago
- IOL News
Exploring the 2023/24 funding of South African political parties
Political parties represented in Parliament and the nine provincial legislatures shared more than R3.24 billion in 2023/24, according to lobby group My Vote Counts. Image: Bongani Shilubane / Independent Newspapers Political parties represented in Parliament shared over R3.24 billion in 2023/24 through private funding, allocation from Parliament and provincial legislatures, and the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). According to lobby group My Vote Counts (MVC), the ANC received the lion's share of nearly R1.72bn and the DA was allocated about R655 million, while the EFF got over R309m. The list does not include uMkhonto weSizwe Party as it only contested elections for the first time in May last year following its establishment in December 2023. In the 2023/24 financial year, the IEC received disclosure reports from Parliament and all nine provincial legislatures in respect of the funding of represented political parties. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ An amount of about R1.56bn from Parliament and nine provincial legislatures was allocated to 15 represented political parties. The ANC's R1.72bn allocation includes R905m from Parliament and provincial legislatures, R527m through private funding, and R286m from the IEC-administered represented political parties and multi-party democracy funds, according to MVC. The DA received R311m from Parliament and provincial legislatures, R213m through private funding, and R121m from the IEC. The EFF's R309m includes R180m from Parliament and provincial legislatures, R79m from the commission, and R51m in private funding. A few months ago, the National Assembly's Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs voted to double two crucial limits in the Political Funding Act. This means the disclosure threshold and donations cap could be raised from R100,000 to R200,000 and R15m to R30m, respectively. The MVC was among several organisations that objected during the public participation process, after which the committee unanimously voted to adopt a report and resolution recommending the increase. 'In passing the resolution, the committee chose to disregard both relevant empirical considerations and the public interest, in favour of political expediency,' the group accused the committee. It noted that funding through the represented political parties' fund (RPPF), as revealed in Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana's Budget, barely increases over the next few financial years. 'This belies the passion with which parties spoke about the need for more funding during the parliamentary processes... If parties are indeed so desperate for additional funding, why did they accept a Budget that offers them a real-term reduction in public funding?' it asked. The amount allocated to represented parties through the RPPF in 2022/23 was R342m, and R322m is the adjusted appropriation for 2024/25. The R850m for 2023/24 was an anomaly as an additional amount was distributed to parties to allow them to prepare for the 2024 national and provincial elections.


Mail & Guardian
2 days ago
- Mail & Guardian
South Africans believe the country is ‘headed in the wrong direction', survey shows
Out of line: A study by the Human Sciences Research Council for the Electoral Commission of South Africa found that 79% of respondents think the country is 'headed in the wrong direction' while less than two-thirds were 'satisfied' with democracy. Photo: Delwyn Verasamy A new study shows that most South Africans are sceptical about the country and want more transparency about political funding and donors This content is restricted to subscribers only . Join the M&G Community Our commitment at the Mail & Guardian is to ensure every reader enjoys the finest experience. Join the M&G community and support us in delivering in-depth news to you consistently. Subscription enables: - M&G community membership - independent journalism - access to all premium articles & features - a digital version of the weekly newspaper - invites to subscriber-only events - the opportunity to test new online features first Already a subscriber?